What is a Full Infinitive?
A full infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by the word "to," such as "to run" or "to eat." It is used in various grammatical structures to act as subjects, objects, or to express purpose in sentences.
What is a Full Infinitive?
A full infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by "to" (e.g., to run, to eat). Unlike bare infinitives, which lack "to" (e.g., run, eat), full infinitives are used in various grammatical structures.
For example:
To read is enjoyable.
She wants to learn.
Uses of Full Infinitives
Full Infinitive as the Subject of a Sentence
Full infinitives can act as the subject of a sentence, highlighting an action or state of being.
Examples include:
To travel is exciting.
To exercise daily is beneficial.
Full Infinitive as the Object of a Sentence
They also serve as objects, providing additional information about the action of the verb. For instance:
He likes to swim.
She needs to study.
Full Infinitive to Express Purpose
Full infinitives express purpose or intention, explaining why something is done. Examples include:
She went to the store to buy milk.
He studies hard to achieve his goals.
Common Verbs Followed by Full Infinitives
Many verbs are followed by full infinitives. Here are a few common ones with examples:
Want: She wants to succeed.
Need: You need to finish your work.
Decide: They decided to go home.
Plan: We plan to visit Paris next summer.
Hope: I hope to see you soon.
Learn: He is learning to play the guitar.
Full Infinitives in Different Tenses
Present Tense
Full infinitives in the present tense are straightforward and commonly used. Examples include:
I like to run in the morning.
They plan to visit us.
Past Tense
Full infinitives can describe past actions and intentions. For example:
She hoped to see him yesterday.
They wanted to join us last week.
Future Tense
In the future tense, full infinitives indicate planned actions or intentions. Examples include:
He is going to start a new job.
They plan to travel next year.
Common Mistakes with Full Infinitives
Understanding common mistakes can help you avoid errors in using full infinitives:
Confusing full infinitives with gerunds: Remember, a full infinitive is "to + verb," while a gerund is "verb + ing." Example: "She likes to read" (full infinitive) vs. "She likes reading" (gerund).
Overuse of bare infinitives: Ensure you use "to" before the verb when a full infinitive is required. Example: "I need to go" (correct) vs. "I need go" (incorrect).
Practice and Exercises
Practice using full infinitives with these exercises:
Fill in the Blanks:
She wants ___ (to learn) English.
They decided ___ (to stay) at home.
He needs ___ (to finish) his homework.
Create Sentences:
To eat healthy food is important.
To understand grammar rules takes time.
To practice speaking English helps improve fluency.
Answer Key:
She wants to learn English.
They decided to stay at home.
He needs to finish his homework.
To eat healthy food is important.
To understand grammar rules takes time.
To practice speaking English helps improve fluency.