Using infinitives

Using infinitives

An infinitive is the name for a verb in its (to) + root form. To is also called the infinitive participle. Examples of infinitives are: to make, to see, to go, to travel.

You can use an infinitive to:

• identify with something you hope, want, plan, or need to do – e.g., Adam hoped to become an airplane pilot. She wanted to be a family doctor. They are planning to move to a different town. We need to finish all of our homework before dinner.
• identify a purpose for doing something – e.g., To please her regular customers, Mrs. Honey gave them discounts. To dye my hair before prom, I'll need to borrow some money.

EXERCISE: Choose a verb from the box to complete each sentence.

1. When Mr. Kazi was 16, he learned   an airplane.
2. When he came to the United States, he hoped   a job in the airline industry.
3.  money on food, Kazi got a job at a restaurant.
4. One day his co-workers failed   to work.
5. The owners of the restaurant decided   Mr. Kazi the manager's job.
6.  their first restaurant, Mr. Kazi and his wife remodeled the front of the building and made the food better.
7. Mr. Kazi tried hard   the customers in his restaurant.
8. Mr. Kazi is planning   more restaurants.

Answers:

1. to fly, 2. to find, 3. to save, 4. to come, 5. to give, 6. to improve, 7. to please, 8. to buy