chapter 1 infinitive forms

infinitive forms

1. infinitive forms
* bare infinitive :
-play (simple),
-have played(perfect),
-be playing(continuous),
-have been playing(perfect+continuous)

* to-infinitive
for the passive e.g to be played
-to play(simple)
-to have played(perfect)
-to be playing(Continuous)
-to have been playing(Perfect + continuous)

For the passive, ex. to be played,

2. A simple infinitive is the base form of a verb, with or without to.

Bare infinitive: - I'd rather sit at the back.

To-infinitive: - I'd prefer to sit at the back.

There is no difference in meaning here between sit and to sit. Which we use
depends on the grammatical pattern.

3. Here are some examples with perfect and continuous forms.

- It's a pity I missed that programme. I'd like to have seen it.
- You'd better have finished by tomorrow.
- The weather seems to be getting worse.
- I'd rather be lying on the beach than stuck in a traffic jam.
- The man appeared to have been drinking.

We cannot use a past form.

NOT I'd like to saw it.

4 A simple infinitive refers to the same time as in the main clause.

* I'm pleased to meet you.
(The pleasure and the meeting are both in the present.)
* You were lucky to win.
(The luck and the victory are both in the past.)

We use a perfect infinitive for something before the time in the main clause.

* I'd like to have seen that programme yesterday.
(The desire is in the present, but the programme is in the past.)

We use a continuous infinitive for something happening over a period.
* You're lucky to be winning.
(You're winning at the moment.)

5. In the negative, not comes before the infinitive.
* I'd rather not sit at the front.
* I'd prefer not to sit at the front.

NOTE:
It can make a difference whether the main verb or the infinitive is negative.
* I told you not to go. (= I told you to stay.)
* I didn't tell you to go. (= I didn't say 'Go'.)

6 To can stand for an infinitive clause.
* I have to go out, but I don't want to.

We can sometimes leave out to so that we do not repeat it.
* It's better to do it now than (to) leave it to the last minute.

When to-infinitives are linked by and, we do not usually repeat to.
* I'm going to go out and have a good time.