Infinitives: introduction

Infinitives have many functions. An infinitive can be used, for example, after do or a modal auxiliary verb as part of a verb phrase.

• Do you think she’s ready?
• We must get some more light bulbs.

An infinitive can also be used, alone or with other words:

• as the subject or complement of a clause (see here)

  • To watch him eating really gets on my nerves.
  • The main thing is to relax.
  • It’s nice to talk to you.

• as the object or complement of a verb, adjective or noun ( (see here), (see here)

  • I don’t want to talk.
  • I’m anxious to contact your brother.
  • You have the right to remain silent.

• to express a person’s purpose (see here)

  • He came to London to look for work.

note

For full details of the uses of infinitives, see the following sections.