{"id":9741,"date":"2022-04-26T07:53:10","date_gmt":"2022-04-26T07:53:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elblogdeidiomas.es\/?p=9741"},"modified":"2022-05-03T09:31:59","modified_gmt":"2022-05-03T09:31:59","slug":"the-infinitive-in-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elblogdeidiomas.es\/en\/the-infinitive-in-english\/","title":{"rendered":"The infinitive in English"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The infinitive is in many languages \u200b\u200b(as in Spanish) <strong>the form used to enunciate a verb<\/strong>, and therefore the one that appears as a dictionary entry or motto. Examples of the infinitive in Spanish are: Wanting is power. Eating and scratching are all starting.<\/p>\n<div class=\"\" style=\"margin-bottom: 2rem; margin-top: 2rem; background: #F4F4F4;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; color: #fff; background: #FF6868;\">\u00cdNDICE DE CONTENIDOS<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#functions\">Infinitive\u00a0functions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#as\">The infinitive as a noun<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#using\">Using the infinitive to show purpose<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#after\">Infinitives after an adjective<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#with\">Infinitive with adverbs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#finally\">Finally,\u00a0the infinitive can perform these functions in the sentence<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>The infinitive is the base form of a verb<\/strong>.\u00a0In English, when we talk about the infinitive, we usually refer to the present infinitive, which is the most common.\u00a0<strong>The present infinitive has two forms<\/strong>:\u00a0<em>the to-infinitive = to + base. the zero infinitive = base<\/em>.\u00a0the a-infinitive = a + base.\u00a0The infinitive zero = base.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"functions\">Infinitive\u00a0functions<\/h2>\n<p>The functions of infinitive verbs in the sentence are very varied <strong>since they are the same as the functions of a noun<\/strong>: they can act as a subject, as a complement to the verb, or as a modifier of a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.<\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Travelling is part of the holidays.<br \/>\nViajar es parte de las vacaciones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Most of the time, you will use a verb in a variety of other forms, but sometimes you can use it in this simpler basic form as well.\u00a0<strong>Here are some of the main ways to do it:<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>An infinitive is the verb form to +.\u00a0To describe someone&#8217;s purpose, use an infinitive.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>What do you use a hair dryer for? \/ (\u00bfPara qu\u00e9 usas un secador de pelo?).<\/li>\n<li>I use a hair dryer to dry my hair.\u00a0\/ (Utilizo un secador de pelo para secarme el pelo).<\/li>\n<li>Why did you go to the store? \/\u00a0(\u00bfPor qu\u00e9 fuiste a la tienda?).<\/li>\n<li>I went to the store to buy some milk. \/ (Fui a la tienda a comprar leche).<\/li>\n<li>Why are you going to Toronto? \/\u00a0(\u00bfPor qu\u00e9 vas a Toronto?).<\/li>\n<li>I\u2018m going to Toronto to learn English\u00a0\u00a0(Voy a Toronto a aprender ingl\u00e9s).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"as\">The infinitive as a noun<\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes the\u00a0<strong>infinitive<\/strong>\u00a0form\u00a0<strong>of a verb is not used as a normal verb<\/strong>, but rather as a noun.\u00a0You do this by making the infinitive the subject or object of the sentence.<\/p>\n<p>Examples<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>She likes to run.<br \/>\nLe gusta correr.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In this example,\u00a0<strong>the infinitive form &#8220;run&#8221; is the object of the verb &#8220;likes&#8221;.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>To paint was his dream.<br \/>\nPintar era su sue\u00f1o.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In this example,\u00a0<strong>the infinitive &#8220;paint&#8221; is the subject of the verb &#8220;was&#8221;<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"using\">Using the infinitive to show purpose<\/h2>\n<p>Another way to use\u00a0<strong>the infinitive is to use\u00a0<em>to<\/em>\u00a0&#8220;a&#8221; instead of a common phrase like\u00a0<em>in order to<\/em>\u00a0&#8221;\u00a0<em>in order to<\/em> &#8220;<\/strong>.\u00a0I would do this to show that there is a goal or reason for doing that particular verb.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We left earlier to miss the rush hour traffic.<br \/>\n\u201cSalimos antes para perder el tr\u00e1fico de la hora punta\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>In this example<\/strong>\u00a0, the infinitive\u00a0<em>to miss<\/em> &#8220;perder&#8221; is used to say <em>we left earlier in order to miss the rush hour traffic<\/em> . \u201dsalimos antes para perder el tr\u00e1fico de la hora pico\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>You can also\u00a0<strong>use the infinitive to show your intention<\/strong>, after a verb that implies saying something.\u00a0Verbs like\u00a0<em>&#8220;agree&#8221;, &#8220;promise&#8221; and &#8220;decide&#8221;<\/em>\u00a0&#8220;accept&#8221;, &#8220;promise&#8221; and &#8220;decide&#8221; can use the infinitive form.<\/p>\n<p>Examples:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>She agreed to share the money between them.<br \/>\n\u201cElla accedi\u00f3 a compartir el dinero entre ellos\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>He decided to change schools.<br \/>\n\u201cDecidi\u00f3 cambiar de escuela\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"after\">Infinitives after an adjective<\/h2>\n<p>You can also use the infinitive form after some adjectives, to give an explanation of the sentiment of the particular adjective.\u00a0<strong>Some of these adjectives include<\/strong>\u00a0:\u00a0<em>&#8220;happy&#8221;, &#8220;surprised&#8221;, &#8220;proud&#8221;, &#8220;eager&#8221;<\/em>\u00a0&#8220;happy&#8221;, &#8220;surprised&#8221;, &#8220;proud&#8221;, &#8220;anxious&#8221; &#8211; there are many more!\u00a0To decide whether or not to use the infinitive, think about whether it is being used to give an opinion or explanation, or not.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>She was happy to see him come home.<br \/>\nElla estaba feliz de verlo volver a casa.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>* The infinitive\u00a0<em>to see<\/em>\u00a0&#8220;see&#8221; gives an explanation of why he was happy.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>She thought it was easy to learn a new language.<br \/>\nElla pens\u00f3 que era f\u00e1cil aprender un nuevo idioma\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>* Here, the infinitive\u00a0<em>to learn<\/em>\u00a0\u201clearn\u201d expresses your opinion that learning a language was easy.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"with\">Infinitive with adverbs<\/h2>\n<p>The infinitive with &#8220;to&#8221;\u00a0<strong>is frequently used with the adverbs &#8220;too&#8221; and &#8220;enough&#8221;<\/strong> to express the reasoning behind our satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Normally, the infinitive with &#8220;to&#8221; and everything that follows can be eliminated without the sentence ceasing to be grammatically functional.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"finally\">Finally,\u00a0the infinitive can perform these functions in the sentence<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Subject<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>It is someone or something of which something expressed by the predicate is affirmed<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Hearing his words scared me.<br \/>\nO\u00edr sus palabras me asust\u00f3.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Attribute<\/h3>\n<p>It is a word or group of words that\u00a0<strong>is used together with a copulative verb<\/strong> (to be, to be) or semicopulative (to seem) and expresses the qualities of the subject.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Buying so many useless things is wasting money.<br \/>\nComprarse tantas cosas in\u00fatiles es tirar el dinero.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Complement of the name (also of the adjective or adverb)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>It is a word that\u00a0<strong>accompanies the name (adjective or adverb) to specify or expand its meaning<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>I don\u2019t understand your mania for listening to this song ten times a day.<br \/>\nNo entiendo tu man\u00eda de escuchar esta canci\u00f3n diez veces al d\u00eda.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>\u00a0Direct object (also called direct object or implement)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>It accompanies the transitive verbs, complements their meanings, and is never accompanied by any prepositions, <strong>the only exception is<\/strong>\u00a0the preposition &#8220;a&#8221; that is used with people.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>I need to buy that book.<br \/>\nNecesito comprarme aqu\u00e9l libro.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Diet supplement (also called a supplement)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>It accompanies the verbs, completes their meanings, and is always accompanied by a preposition<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>I was trying to explain the position.<br \/>\nTrataba de explicar la posici\u00f3n.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Predicative complement<\/h3>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>It is a word that does not refer only to the verb but also to the name and complete meanings of the two.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>This afternoon we saw her leave.<br \/>\nEsta tarde la hemos visto salir.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Circumstantial complement<\/h3>\n<p>It is a word or group of words that says in what situation the action expressed by the predicate takes place.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You can\u2019t tell them everything without thinking.<br \/>\nNo puedes dec\u00edrselo todo sin pensar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"kk-star-ratings kksr-auto kksr-align-left kksr-valign-bottom\"\n    data-payload='{&quot;align&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;9741&quot;,&quot;slug&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;valign&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;ignore&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;reference&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;class&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;count&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;legendonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;readonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;score&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;starsonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;best&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;gap&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;greet&quot;:&quot;\u00a1D\u00e9janos unas estrellitas si te ha gustado el post!&quot;,&quot;legend&quot;:&quot;0\\\/5 - (0 votes)&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;24&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;The infinitive in English&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;_legend&quot;:&quot;{score}\\\/{best} - ({count} {votes})&quot;,&quot;font_factor&quot;:&quot;1.25&quot;}'>\n            \n<div class=\"kksr-stars\">\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-inactive\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"1\" style=\"padding-right: 4px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"2\" style=\"padding-right: 4px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"3\" style=\"padding-right: 4px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"4\" style=\"padding-right: 4px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"5\" style=\"padding-right: 4px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-active\" style=\"width: 0px;\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 4px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 4px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 4px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 4px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 4px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                \n\n<div class=\"kksr-legend\" style=\"font-size: 19.2px;\">\n            <span class=\"kksr-muted\">\u00a1D\u00e9janos unas estrellitas si te ha gustado el post!<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The infinitive is in many languages \u200b\u200b(as in Spanish) the form used to enunciate a verb, and therefore the one&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2637,"featured_media":14899,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8073,8080,8108,8075,8130],"tags":[8223,8077,8232],"class_list":["post-9741","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-level-a1-levels","category-level-a2-levels","category-grammar","category-learn-english","category-learn-language","tag-grammar","tag-learn-english","tag-learn-language","post_format-post-format-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/elblogdeidiomas.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9741","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/elblogdeidiomas.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/elblogdeidiomas.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elblogdeidiomas.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2637"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elblogdeidiomas.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9741"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/elblogdeidiomas.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9741\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14782,"href":"https:\/\/elblogdeidiomas.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9741\/revisions\/14782"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elblogdeidiomas.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/elblogdeidiomas.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9741"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elblogdeidiomas.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9741"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elblogdeidiomas.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9741"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}