LM1001 – Unit 7
Grammar Booklet
Infinitives after Verbs
Infinitives after Adjectives
Infinitives of Purpose
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Infinitives after Verbs
Infinitives after Adjectives
Infinitives of Purpose
1. The main verb before the infinitive
can be in any tense
a. Do you want to buy Coke? (simple
present)
b. Be quiet! I ’m trying to listen to the
news. (present progressive)
c. I began to read a novel two weeks
ago. (simple past)
d. Would you like to buy some candy?
(conditional)
2. Depending on the meaning, in some
negative sentences, not comes before
the first verb.
a. I do not know how to work this
remote control.
b. We are not planning to rent any
movies this weekend.
c. I did not know how to solve that
problem until you called me.
3. In other sentences, not comes
between the first verb and the infinitive.
a. Try not to watch too much T.V.
Remember that you have to do
homework.
b. I decided not to buy too many
souvenirs when I went to Italy last
summer.
c. Remember not to eat too much while I
am away from home.
4. Even if it is an object pronoun, the
object of the main verb is also the
subject (the doer of the action) of the
infinitive. Look at the list of verbs at
the end of p.46
a. I challenge you to speak English at
all times.
b. My aunt doesn’t allow me to go out
tonight.
c. I order them to type the report now.
1. Subject (nouns or pronouns) + verb “to
be” + adjective + infinitive
This pattern is used to describe a person’s
feelings or attitudes.
a. The students were happy to pass the
course.
b. Costa Ricans are pessimistic to see our
national soccer team obtain good results in
the World Cup Qualifiers.
c. My girlfriend will be happy to announce
our wedding tonight.
2. It (expletive) + verb to be + adjective +
infinitive
The expletive “it” means that it is
impersonal. To know if this “it” is expletive
or impersonal, look at these changes:
a. It is important to speak English in this
course. = To speak English in this course is
important.
b. Is it exciting to compete in a TV reality
show? = Is competing in a TV reality show
exciting?
1. In affirmative sentences, to = in
order to
a. Let’s go outside to get some fresh
air.
b. I need to go out this weekend to
release from all the stress I have had
recently.
c. I need to study hard to pass this
course.
2. In negative sentences, we use in
order not to / so as not to + simple
form of a verb
a. The sign was removed in order not
to offend the public.
b. He put his keys in his pocket so as
not to lose them.
C. We have to study very hard in order
not to / so as not to fail the course.