Infinitive

THE INFINITIVE:--

  (a) The word 'Infinitive ' comes from a Latin word 'Infinitus' which means 'unlimited'.

  (b) Infinitive is not limited by number and person.

  (c) It is not changed according to the changes in verb; as,

       * He likes to play football.( singular subject )

       * They like to play football. ( plural subject )

  (d) The prepsition 'to' is generally used with the infinitive, and it is called ' To-Infinitive'; as,

       * He went to see the temple of Rameshwaram.

       * I like to enjoy the sights of Mahabalipuram.

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  (e) In some cases, Preposition 'To' is omitted.:--
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  (i) The following verbs in active voice take after them an Infinitive without 'To'.
     
         Make, hear,let, need, know, behold, bid, see, feel, help,hold, watch,worry etc.; as,

       * Let me play hockey.

       * You need not worry about the matter.

  (ii) The following auxillaries do not take after them a 'To-infinitive'.

       Will, shall, can, may, must, would, should, could etc.; as,

       * Krishna will help Pinku.

       * Archna may take rest now.

  (f) In following cases 'To' is used. :--
     

  (i) When 'But' is used as a preposition, it takes an Infinitive with 'To'; as,

       * Avneesh had no choice but to run.

  (ii) All the verbs in passive voice take after them an Infinitive with 'To'; as,

       * Sheela was made to write an essay.

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   KINDS  OF  INFINITIVES :--
 

    1. Simple Infinitives (or) Noun Infinives

    2. Gerundial Infinitives (or) Adjective (or) Adverbial Infinitives

    1. SIMPLE   INFINITIVES  (OR)   NOUN  INFINITIVES :--
    

       They function as a Noun in the following ways--

      * To see is to believe. ( subject to the verb )

      * I want to learn Greek. ( object to the verb )

      * His habit is to make excuses. ( compliment to the verb )

      * The train is about to go. ( object to preposition )

      * It is unwise to tease the weak. ( case in apposition )

    2. GERUNDIAL INFINITIVES :--
     

       They qualify a noun (or) modifies an adjective (or) a verb; as,

      * I have no money to waste. ( Adjective )

      * This problem is difficult to solve. ( Adverb )

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      USE OF 'TO- INFINITIVE'

  The infinitive is used after following verbs--

    Hope, regret, undertake, seem, neglect, fail, arrange, promise, determine,

    attempt, remember, forget, manage, learn, consent, refuse, agree, prepare etc. 

        [ agree + to ]

       * He agreed to guide me.

       * I am prepared to leave for Bombay.

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      USE OF 'TO BE (INFINITIVE)'

   Object + 'To be' is used after following verbs--

     Feel, think, know, consider, suppose, believe, understand etc.

       [ think + object + to be ]

       * I think it to be a beautiful creation.

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      USE OF 'OBJECT + TO-INFINITIVE'
    

    Object + to-infinitive is used after following verbs--

      Order, advise, request, oblige, warn, allow, permit, remind, forbid, teach,

      invite, compel,instruct etc.

        [ request + object + to ]

       * She requested her father to help him.

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