SAİME GÜNEŞ İNGİLİZCE ÖĞRETMENLİĞİ B GRUBU

INFINITIVES An infinitive is to plus the base form of a verb. Infinitives and infinitive phrases often perform the same functions as nouns.They have several functions.These are:

a)They act as subjects. For example :To finish what you started is advisable. b)They act as objects. For example:I would like to invite you to dinner. c)They act as subject complements(phrases that describe or explain the subject of a sentence) For example:A teacher’s job is to create a desire to learn.

NOTE: To make an infinitive negative, place not before to. For example:I warned you not to put this off. Be careful! Don’t confuse “to” in an infinitive with to as a preposition.To in an infinitive is followed by the base form of the verb.To as a preposition is followed by a gerund,regular noun,or pronoun. For example:I plan to work hard. I’m used to working hard.

Certain verbs are followed only by infinitives. Other verbs are followed by a required noun or pronoun+ an infinitive. Still other verbs are followed by an optional noun or pronoun +an infinitive,depending on the meaning of the verb.

EXAMPLES: She offered to help me. He learned to be efficient. I warned Stan to make the payments. We expected to finish on time. We expected Jim to finish on time.

 Certain adjectives can be followed by infinitives.These adjectives usually describe people,not things.They often express feelings about the action described in the infinitive.

Common adjectives followed by infinitives: afraid,amazed,excited,fortunate,glad, happy,important,,proud,reluctant, sorry,willing… EXAMPLE: George is afraid to make mistakes. Marry is not willing to help us.

 Remember that some verbs can be followed only by infinitives,others only by gerunds,and others by either infinitives or gerunds.These verbs fall into three patterns:

a) Examples of verbs and verb phrases followed only byinfinitives:appear,decide,expect,hope,manage,nee d,pretend,seem,want,would like. For example:They managed to find new jobs. She pretended to be busy.

b) Example of verbs and verb phrases followed only by gerunds:avoid,be worth,can’t help,consider,enjoy,feel like,have trouble,keep, mind,miss,spend(time) For example:We considered hiring him. I don’t feel like working today.

c) Examples of verb and verb phrases followed only by infinitives or gerunds with a significant change in meaning: forget,go on,quit,regret,remember,stop,try… For example: I stopped to go to the store(=I stopped another activity to go the store.)