Bare Infinitives
Bare infinitives are the base form of verbs without the word "to". Unlike full infinitives, which include "to" (e.g., "to run," "to eat"), bare infinitives are used directly after certain verbs and modal verbs (e.g., "make," "let," "can").
They play a unique role in English grammar and are essential for constructing specific types of sentences. Understanding when and how to use bare infinitives is key to mastering English.
What are Bare Infinitives?
Definition and Explanation: Bare infinitives are verbs in their base form without "to". Unlike full infinitives, they are used directly after certain verbs and modal verbs.
For example:
- Make
- Let
- See
- Hear
- Feel
When to Use Bare Infinitives
Common Uses: Bare infinitives typically follow modal verbs and certain other verbs. Here are the main scenarios:
After Modal Verbs: Bare infinitives follow modal verbs like can, could, may, might, will, shall, should, and must.
Examples:
- You can go now.
- She might join us later.
- They should arrive soon.
- We must leave early.
After Verbs of Perception: Verbs like see, hear, feel, and watch use bare infinitives.
Examples:
- I saw him leave.
- We heard the door slam.
- She felt the ground shake.
- They watched the sun set.
After Certain Verbs: Verbs such as make and let also use bare infinitives.
Examples:
- She made me laugh.
- They let him go.
- The movie made us cry.
- Her parents let her stay out late.
After "Had Better" and "Would Rather": These phrases are always followed by bare infinitives.
Examples:
- You had better study for the exam.
- I would rather walk than drive.
- We had better leave now.
- He would rather read than watch TV.
After "Help" (American English): In American English, "help" can be followed by either a bare infinitive or a full infinitive.
Examples:
- She helped cook dinner.
- She helped to cook dinner.
Exceptions and Special Cases
Less Common Scenarios: Bare infinitives also appear in idiomatic expressions and other specific contexts. Here are a few more examples:
After "Make" in Passive Voice: When using "make" in the passive voice, a full infinitive is used instead.
Example:
- Active: They made him apologize.
- Passive: He was made to apologize.
After "Help" in British English: In British English, "help" is typically followed by a full infinitive.
Examples:
- She helped to carry the bags.
- He helped to fix the car.
Common Mistakes with Bare Infinitives
Learning to use bare infinitives correctly involves avoiding common mistakes. Here are some pitfalls and how to avoid them:
- Adding "to" Unnecessarily: Avoid adding "to" where it’s not needed. Incorrect: "Let him to go." Correct: "Let him go."
- Using Bare Infinitives Incorrectly: Using a bare infinitive where a full infinitive is required can lead to errors. Incorrect: "He was made apologize." Correct: "He was made to apologize."
Practical Tips for Mastering Bare Infinitives
Learning Strategies: To master bare infinitives, practice is key. Here are some tips and exercises:
- Read Aloud: Practice reading sentences with bare infinitives out loud. This helps with pronunciation and familiarizes you with their correct usage.
- Create Sentences: Write your own sentences using the examples provided. This reinforces your understanding and helps you remember the rules.
- Identify and Correct Mistakes: Look for common mistakes in sentences and correct them. For example, "She made him to cry" should be "She made him cry."
Practice Exercises
- Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb (bare infinitive or full infinitive):
- You must ______ (finish) your homework before you go out.
- They saw him ______ (run) across the field.
- We had better ______ (leave) now to avoid traffic.
- She helped me ______ (understand) the lesson.
- Correct the following sentences:
- He let her to borrow his car.
- We heard them to sing a beautiful song.
- You had better to hurry up.
- Write five sentences using bare infinitives after modal verbs.