An ‘infinitive’ is the basic form of a verb that usually goes after ‘to’.
Usually, when we say ‘infinitive’ we mean the most common: present infinitive after ‘TO’ (the basic/base form of verbs that we learn first or find in dictionaries).
The infinitive can also take a perfect, continuous, and passive form or a combination of those.
It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb
How is ‘little to‘ tagged in iWeb corpus? 1 LITTLE (DA1) TO (TO) 35055 determiner + infinitive Julie, if you just simmer down, you will see what has happened here has little to do with our relationship. NSFW example 6 LITTLE (JJ) TO (II) 6944 7 LITTLE (RR22) TO (II) 6395 adverbial phrase modifying prepositional phrase A little to the left, a little to the right, somebody could have gotten hurt. listen 19 LITTLE (JJ) TO (TO) 1272 23 LITTLE (RR) […]
B1: IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE | WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED TO FIND
verb + adverb + adjective + TO infinitive Read More »
There are complex combinations of grammar structures that are not found in the English Grammar Profile. The following is a combination of an ‘adverb in mid position’ but the fact that it is an infinitive + past participle + a prepositional phrase combination should list it at around C1. A search in iWeb for: to
To be + adverb + past participle + preposition Read More »
In the English Vocabulary Profile at B2, ‘bear’ is defined: accept someone or something unpleasant For example: I can’t bear to see him like this. listen *There are other uses of ‘bear’ that are more advanced. However, the sense defined above has a distinct grammar pattern: (CAN | COULD) (often negative) + bear + (to-infinitive | Verb-ing | noun phrase) Verb-ing
can’t bear + to-infinitive Read More »
C2 in the English Grammar Profile, point 230 in the category of MODALITY is defined as:
‘BE’ + ADJECTIVE + ‘NOT’ + ‘TO + infinitive for emphasis
adjective + NOT TO + infinitive (be careful not to disturb them) Read More »
Here are the top 100 examples of how ‘TO BE adjective” are used in English. These come from a search in iWeb corpus for * TO BE _JJ 1 NEED TO BE AWARE OF 16993 We need to be aware of the data and information that we’re giving. Listen to this sentence. 2 . TO BE HONEST, 14943 To be honest, I don’t know if race relations will improve in America. listen
Here’s an expert example of a defining relative clause using TO-infinitive: Several years earlier, she‘d become the first woman to ski to the South Pole. Listen to the sentence. The first woman to ski can be written in another way with the same meaning: the first woman who skied Pearson’s GSE 56 B1+ is defined: construct defining (restrictive) relative clauses with ‘to’ + infinitive verb
defining relative clause TO infinitive Read More »
The phrase “in order not to” is used to express the purpose or intention of avoiding something. It is followed by an infinitive verb. For example:
I left early in order not to miss the train.
She studied hard in order not to fail the exam.
In order not to INFINITIVE Read More »
Point 73 GSE B2+ is defined: express impersonal belief and opinion using ‘thought/considered/believed/etc.’ +’ to’ + VP infSTUDENT STUDENT EXAMPLES: Moreover, English is considered to be an international language. PELIC Thai male level 5 writing class. In addition, he is believed to be the first teacher, because the first education system in ancient China was established by Confucius. PELIC Chinese male level 5 grammar class. EXPERT EXAMPLE: After all, the first intentional human burial is thought to have occurred around 100,000 years ago.
passive + TO infinitve (belief or opinion) Read More »
The phrase “to have to” is a common construction in English that expresses obligation, necessity, or requirement. Let’s break down 3 examples: I‘m going to have to get a job. listen In this sentence, “going to” indicates a future action. “Have to” means that the speaker is obliged or required to do something. It implies that getting a job is necessary
TO HAVE TO (infinitive form) Read More »
This post contains an example of overlapping B1 grammar points located inside two different categories in the English Grammar Profile (EGP). EGP B1 point 6 in the category of REPORTED SPEECH is defined as: REPORTED REQUESTS AND COMMANDS with ‘ask’ or ‘tell’ + direct object and ‘to-‘infinitive EGP B1 point 38 in the category of
VERB + DIRECT OBJECT + to INFINITIVE Read More »
The verb help can be followed by an object and an infinitive with or without to.
HELP + object + infinitive Read More »
A2 Verb Patterns expressing preference
love | hate | prefer + VERB-ing | to-INFINITVE Read More »
B1: CLAUSES | comparatives
In the English Grammar Profile, point 68 is defined as: ‘TOO’ + adjective + ‘to’-infinitive.
(not) too + ADJECTIVE | ADVERB + to INFINITIVE Read More »
Regardless of what your government decides, the best way to prevent food waste is to eat what you buy! TED In this sentence, “the best way to prevent food waste” means the most effective or desirable method that can avoid throwing away food that could be eaten. This highlighted pattern can replace a defining relative clause that identifies the noun. For example: She is the best teacher to
the best + NOUN + to INFINITVE Read More »
The text discusses the “so + adjective + as + to-infinitive” structure in English, which expresses a state or condition leading to an outcome. It’s used in formal contexts and polite requests. Examples include “so unlucky as to be diagnosed with cancer,” indicating a diagnosis leading to hope, and “so kind as to cast your mind back,” a polite request for reminiscence. The structure is versatile, showing cause and effect in various contexts.
SO + adjective + AS + TO-infinitive Read More »
This is another grammar post that is better dealt with as vocabulary. In the English Grammar Profile (EGP), A2 point 25 in VERBs/patterns is defined: increasing range of verbs followed by a ‘to’-infinitive. The EGP A2 examples include: hope to go remember to bring (this clashes with the B2 point for a change of meaning verb
Verb + TO-infinitive (range) Read More »
