A Grammar in a Nutshell First Certificate Level

1. A Grammar in a NutshellFirst Certificate Level Infinitives

2. The infinitive 1. Use of infinitives after certain verbs 2. Use of an object and infinitive after certain verbs 3. Use of infinitives with certain verbs in the passive voice 4. Use of an object and infinitive with make and let 5. Use of infinitives with certain adjectives 6. Use of infinitives in conjunction with for plus object 7. Use of infinitives to describe an intention Infinitives

3. Most example sentences in this presentation have been taken from The Golden Grammar Book by Tom Spencer. Infinitives

4. Useofinfinitives after certainverbs • We can't afford to go away on holiday this year. • They agreed to help us decorate the living-room. • Janet appeared to be very tired. • MrsFotherington-Smythearranged to go on a world cruise. • He asked to be excused as he didn't feel very well. • They begged to be allowed to cross the border. • If you choose to come with us, please let us know. • Don't be surprised if he comes to ask you for some money. • I have decided to stop smoking. • Helen expects to leave here as soon as possible. • The driver of the car failed to stop at the traffic lights. Infinitives

5. I happen to know that he's a friend of the Prime Minister. She happened to meet him while she was in town. I helped (to) make the fire. Do you hope to get married this year? The servant hurried to open the door. The Prime Minister intends to make a speech tomorrow. I learnt (how) to play the guitar in Madrid. We managed to persuade (= succeeded in persuading) them not to come. They meant (= intended) to phone us but forgot. After the party he offered to drive me home. The old general has always preferred to read The Times. The little boy pretended not to be very well. Colin promised to be here at six. Rodger's idea proved to be an exceptionally good one. Infinitives

6. You don't seem to be very happy. They want to finish the book as soon as possible. I wish to complain about this parachute that didn't work. The driver refused to have a breath test. If two infinitives depend on the same verb, the second to is replaced by and. He came to see me and return the book. She wanted to finish early and go home. Infinitives

7. 2. Use of an object and infinitive after certain verbs The following verbs already appeared on the previous list, there without an object: He asked her to reply to the letter. She begged him not to leave her They chose him to be their leader They helped me (to) understand the problem. He had meant us to do the work but he forgot to ask us. I would prefer you to do it rather than Edward. The teacher wanted them to listen to the cassette. Infinitives

8. The verbs in this list are not used with an infinitive alone but with an object and infinitive together. He advised you not to waste your time. The boss allowed me to have the afternoon off. The accident caused them to change their plans. The soldier compelled them to leave the house. The old man encouraged the boy to try again. We forbade him to come here again. The thief forced the manager to open the safe. We invited her to come and have dinner with us. They obliged us to tell them the truth. The major ordered the soldiers to fire. I shall never permit you to marry that horrible boy. Infinitives

9. The policeman persuaded him to drop the gun. His secretary reminded him to phone his wife. She requested him to allow her to leave the country. Miss Clarke teaches me (how) to play the piano. Tell him to make up his mind quickly. Anne tempted me to take the money, but I refused. I warned him not to do it, but he wouldn't listen. Infinitives

10. 3. Use of infinitives with certain verbs in the passive voice The verbs on the previous list are also used in the passive with an infinitive. You were advised not to waste your time. They are believed to have fled from their country. With some of these verbs the continuous infinitive is also possible: They are believed to be hiding in the hills. She is said to be spending far too much money. Infinitives

11. Use of an object and basic form with make and let • Let and make are followed by an object and basic form construction. • They let me go in without paying. • I made him laugh by telling him funny stories. Infinitives

12. Useofinfinitiveswithcertainadjectives • The infinitive (with to) is also used with the verb to be and certain adjectives describing feelings. • The construction is: Subject + be + adjective + infinitive + rest of sentence • I was amazed to hear that Mr and Mrs Tucket had called their daughter Nan. • They were angry to find that they had missed their train. • They were anxious to discover the truth. • Mr Brown was ashamed to say he hadn't done the work. • She will be astonished to hear he has gone to Australia. • She was delighted to have won so much money. Infinitives

13. I am disappointed to hear they lost the match. They were frightened to go there alone. She will be glad to find her son safe and sound. I am happy to be able to show you my new invention. I would be interested to know where you were last night. Rachel was overjoyed to hear he had passed his exams. Mr and Mrs Todd are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter Mary. Mr and Mrs Conder are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Anna. We are sad to say we can't come. The public were shocked to hear the real story. We are sorry to see her leave us. Sarah was surprised not to get a letter that morning. They were upset to find their car had been stolen. Infinitives

14. Use of infinitives in conjunction with for plus object • The infinitive is used together with the preposition for and an object. • I can‘t wait for her to arrive. • There is too much work for them to do. Infinitives

15. Use of infinitives to describe an intention • She went to the bank to get some money. Infinitives

16. Gerundsandinfinitiveswith different meanings Wehaveseenthatsomeverbscantakeeitherthegerundortheinfinitive, sometimeswith a change in ofthemeaningofthesentence. Infinitives

17. forget, regret, remember. We must see, whethertheforget, regret, rememberarefollowedorprecededbytheotheraction. Iftheremember etc. comebeforetheotheractionweusetheinfinitive: Rememberto post theletter! Don‘tforgetto post theletter! I regrettosaythatyouarefired. Iftheremember etc. come after theotheractionweusethegerund: Do yourememberkissing her forthefirst time? Haveyouforgottenseeing her before? The deeplyregrettedsayingwhattheyhadsaid. Infinitives

18. try Withtheinfinitivetrymeanstotryhardtoachievesomethingdifficult. I triedtolearnRussianonce. I triedtoseethroughthefog. Withthegerundtrymeanstoexperimentortodo somethingtoseeifitworks. I could not sleep; so I triedcountingsheep. Bad French testagain? Whydon‘tyoutrystudying a littlehardernext time. Infinitives

19. stop Withstopthegerundisusedtoshowthattheactionthatisgoing on atthemomenthascometo an end. Look, ithasstoppedraining. I stoppedsmokingwhen I was 39, Withstoptheinfinitivestandsfor an intention. Youstopwhatyouaredoingin order to do something different. Theystoppedtolookatthemap. Bothuses: Shestoppedworkingtohave a cupofcoffee. Infinitives