Infinitives are basic verb forms from "summary" of Basic English Grammar For Dummies - UK by Geraldine Woods
Infinitives are the most basic form of a verb, stripped of any endings that show tense, person, or number. They are the purest form of a verb, without any additional information attached. In English, infinitives are usually formed by adding the word "to" before the base form of the verb. For example, "to run", "to eat", "to sleep", and so on.
Infinitives can be used in a variety of ways in English. They can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a sentence. When an infinitive is used as a noun, it can serve as the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or the complement of a verb. For example, "To swim is my favorite hobby", "I want to eat lunch", "Her goal is to win the race".
As adjectives, infinitives can provide additional information about a noun in a sentence. For example, "I have a book to read", "He needs a pen to write with", "She has a car to drive". In these examples, the infinitives "to read", "to write with", and "to drive" modify the nouns "book", "pen", and "car" respectively.
Infinitives can also function as adverbs, providing information about the action of the main verb in a sentence. For example, "I went to the store to buy some groceries", "She stayed up late to finish her homework", "He exercises regularly to stay healthy". In these examples, the infinitives "to buy some groceries", "to finish her homework", and "to stay healthy" describe the reasons or purposes for the main actions in the sentences.Infinitives are versatile and essential components of English grammar. By understanding how to use infinitives correctly, you can add clarity and precision to your writing and speaking. Whether they are acting as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs, infinitives play a fundamental role in expressing a wide range of ideas and concepts in the English language.
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