THE INFINITIVE

THE INFINITIVE

Read these sentences; I want to go.

They tried to find fault with us.

The forms to go and to find are "infinitives."

The infinitive is the base of a verb, often followed by to.

Read the following sentences:-

To err is human.

Birds love to sing.

To respect our parents is our duty.

He refused to obey the orders.

Many men desire to make money quickly.

In sentence 1, the Infinitive, like a noun, is the Subject of the verb is.

In sentence 2, the Infinitive, like a noun, is the Object of the verb love.

In sentence 3, the Infinitive, like a noun, is the Subject of the verb is, but, like a verb, it also takes an object.

In sentence 4, the Infinitive, like a noun, is the Object of the verb refused, but, like a verb, it also takes an object.

In sentence 5, the Infinitive, like a noun, is the Object of the verb desire, but, like a verb, it also takes an Object and is modified by an Adverb.

It will be seen that the Infinitive is a kind of noun with certain features of the verb, especially that of taking an object (when the verb is Transitive) and adverbial qualifiers. In short, the Infinitive is a Verb-Noun.

The word to is frequently used with the Infinitive, but is not an essential part or sign

of it.

Thus, after certain verbs (bid, let, make (Except when they are conjugated with do) need, (Except when they are conjugated with do) dare, see, hear), we use the Infinitive without to; as,

Bid him go there.

I bade him go.

Let him sit here.

I will not let you go.

Make him stand.

I made him run.

We need not go to-day.

You need not do it.

You dare not do it.

I saw him do it.

I heard him cry.

The infinitive without to is also used after the verbs will, would, shall, should, may, might, can, could and must.

            I will pay the bill.

            You should work harder.

            He can speak five languages.

            You must come to the office at nine tomorrow.

The Infinitive without to is also used after had better, had rather, would rather, sooner than, rather than; as,

You had better ask permission.

I had rather play than work.

I would rather die than suffer so.

Use of the Infinitive

The Infinitive, with or without adjuncts, may be used, like a Noun -

(1) As the Subject of a Verb; as, To find fault is easy.

To err is human.

To reign is worth ambition.

As the Object of a transitive Verb; as I do not mean to read.

He likes to play cards.

As the Complement of a Verb; as, Her greatest pleasure is to sing.

His custom is to ride daily.

As the Object of a Preposition; as, He had no choice but (= except) to obey. The speaker is about to begin.

As an Objective Complement; as,

I saw him go.

When the infinitive is thus used, like a Noun, it is called the Simple Infinitive.

The Infinitive is also used-

(1) To qualify a Verb, usually to express purpose; as,

He called to see my brother (= for the purpose of seeing my brother).

We eat to live. (Purpose)

I come to bury Caesar. (Purpose)

He wept to see the desolation caused by the flood. (Cause)

To qualify an Adjective; as, Figs are good to eat.

This medicine is pleasant to take. The boys are anxious to learn. He is too ill to do any work.

To qualify a Noun; as, This is not the time to play. You will have cause to repent. He is a man to be admired. Here is a house to let.

This house is to let.

To qualify a Sentence; as,

To tell the truth, I quite forgot my promise.

He was petrified, so to speak.

When the Infinitive is thus used it is called the Gerund in I or Qualifying Infinitive.

It will be seen that in 1 and 2 the Gerundial Infinitive does the work of an Adverb; in 3 it does the work of of an Adjective; in 4 it is used absolutely.

The Infinitive may be active or passive. When active it may have a present and a perfect form, and may merely name the act, or it may represent progressive or continued action,

Active

Present: to love.

Present Continuous: to be loving.

Perfect Continuous: to have been loving.

Perfect: to have loved.

When passive the Infinitive has a present and a perfect form.

Passive

Present: to be loved.

Perfect: to have been loved.

Exercise in Grammar

State how the Infinitive is used in the following sentences:-

There was nothing for it to fight.

Let us pray.

The mango is fit to eat.

I heard her sing.

I have come to see you.

The order to advance was given.

Men must work and women must weep.

I am sorry to hear this.

He is slow to forgive.

A man severe he was and stern to view

And fools who came to scoff remained to pray.

Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride.

Full many a flower is born to blush unseen.

Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast.

Never seek to fell thy love.

To retreat was difficult; to advance was impossible.

Everybody wishes to enjoy life.

My desire is to see you again.

There was not a moment to be lost.

The counsel rose to address the court.

My right there is none to dispute.

The ability to laugh is peculiar to mankind.

He has the power to concentrate his thoughts.

He was quick to see the point.

I am not afraid to speak the truth.

Better dwell in the midst of alarms.

Than reign in this horrible place.

Can you hope to count the stars?

To toil is the lot of mankind.

It is delightful to hear the sound of the sea. It is a penal offence to bribe a public.

Exercise in Composition

Combine together the following pairs of sentences by using Infinitives:-[Example.- Napoleon was one of the greatest of generals. He is universally acknowledged so = Napoleon is universally acknowledged to have been one of the greatest of generals. Note,- it will be noticed that we have turned one of the sentences into a phrase containing an infinitive.]

He did not have even a rupee with him. He could not buy a loaf of bread.

Every cricket team has a captain. He directs the other players.

You must part with your purse. On this condition only you can save your life.

He went to Amritsar. He wanted to visit the Golden Temple.

The robber took out a knife. He intended to frighten the old man.

I speak the truth. I am not afraid of it.

The insolvent's property was sold by the official Assignee. The insolvent's creditors had to be paid.

He wants to earn his livelihood. He works hard for that reason.

The strikers held a meeting. They wished to discuss the terms of the employers.

He has five children. He must provide for them.

The old man has now little energy left. He cannot take his morning constitutional exercises.

The Rajah allowed no cows to be slaughtered in his territory. It was his custom.

He formed a resolution. It was to the effect that he would not speculate any more.

Everyone should do his duty. India expects this of every man.

She visits the poor. She is anxious to relieve them of their sufferings.

He collects old stamps even at great expense. This is his hobby.

He must apologise for his misconduct, it is the only way to escape punishment.

I have no aptitude for business. I must speak it out frankly.

He was desirous of impressing his host. So he was on his behaviour in his presence.

That young man has squandered away all his patrimony. He must have been very foolish.

He has risen to eminence from poverty and obscurity. It is highly creditable.