Verbs which are limited by number, person and time are called Finite Verbs. Verbs which are not limited by number, person and time are Non-finites verbs. Infinitives, gerunds and Participles are Non-Finite verbs.
The Infinitives (to + verb)
He never succeeds in the examination.
He wishes to succeed.
In the first sentence, the verb ‘succeeds’ has ‘he’ as its subject and hence is limited by its number and person. It is, therefore, a Finite Verb.
In sentence 2, ‘to succeed’ has no subject and hence it is not limited by number and person of the subject. It simply names the action denoted by the verb ‘succeed’. It is, therefore, a Non-Finite Verb or simply an Infinitive.
The ‘infinitive’ simply expresses the state or action denoted by the verb.
To play, to see, to sing, to dance are infinitives. These are called Infinitives with ‘to’ or ‘to’ infinitives.
But the word ‘to’ is not an essential part of the infinitives. See, sit, play are also infinitives. These are called Pure Infinitives or Infinitives without ‘to’.
The infinitives without ‘to’ is used
After the verbs bid, let, notice, make, hear, see, feel, watch and have.
I made him sit down.
I saw him do it.
But when these verbs (except ‘let’) are used in passive voice, the infinitives take ‘to’ before them.
He was made to sit down.
He was heard to cry.
After the modal auxiliaries ‘need’ and ‘dare’.
He need not come.
He dare not do it.
But when ‘need’ and ‘dare’ are used as main verbs they form negatives and questions with ‘do’ and take ‘to’ before the infinitives.
He does not need to come.
Does he dare to do it?
After the modal auxiliaries (shall, will, can, may, should, would, could, might, must)
You can go now.
One must do one’s duty.
Ought is always followed by an infinitives with ‘to’
He ought to finish it today.
After the auxiliaries do, does and did, had better, had rather, would rather, but, except and than.
THE INFINITIVES WITH ‘TO’ IS USED
- As subject to a verb
To err is human.
- As object to a transitive verb
He hopes to pass.
- As object to preposition
The train is about to leave.
- As complement to a verb
Her greatest pleasure is to sing.
- To qualify a verb to express purpose, cause or manner
He went to buy sweets. (Purpose)
- To qualify an adjective
I am eager to join engineering.
The Infinitives has two main forms:
(i) The present or indefinite form.
To come, to dance
(ii) The perfect infinitive (have + past participle)
To have come, to have seen, to have played
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