Infinitive Verbs Exercises

These exercises focus on Infinitive Verbs.

🔤 What is an Infinitive?

An infinitive = "to" + base verb

🔹 Examples:
➡️ to eat 🍎
➡️ to sleep 😴
➡️ to dance 💃
➡️ to study 📖
➡️ to play 🎸

📌 Tip: The infinitive is not a conjugated verb. It stays the same for all subjects.

1️⃣ Verb + To + Infinitive

Some verbs are followed by an infinitive with "to."

🔹 Examples:
✅ I decided to go home as soon as possible.
✅ We all wanted to have more English classes.

Common Verbs That Take "To + Infinitive"

Verbs of Thinking & Feeling	Verbs of Saying	Other Verbs
choose	agree	arrange
decide	promise	attempt
expect	refuse	fail
forget	threaten	help
hate		manage
hope		tend
intend		try
learn
like
love
mean
plan
prefer
remember
want
would like/love

📌 Tip: If you use these verbs before another verb, use "to + infinitive."

2️⃣ Infinitives After Adjectives

It’s + adjective + infinitive

🔹 Examples:
✅ It’s hard to learn Chinese.
✅ It’s nice to meet you.
✅ It’s fun to play soccer.

📌 Tip: Use infinitives after "It’s" + adjectives (easy, difficult, important, nice, fun, etc.).

3️⃣ Infinitives of Purpose (Answering "Why?")

Use an infinitive to explain WHY something is done.

🔹 Examples:
✅ I exercise to stay healthy. 🏃
✅ She studies to pass the exam. 🎓
✅ He left early to catch the bus. 🚌

📌 Tip: Instead of "for + verb (-ing)," use "to + verb" for purpose.
❌ I exercise for staying healthy. (Incorrect ❌)
✅ I exercise to stay healthy. (Correct ✅)

4️⃣ "Make" and "Let" + Bare Infinitive

Some verbs, like "make" and "let," are followed by a bare infinitive (infinitive without "to").

🔹 Examples:
✅ My mom made me clean my room. (Not "to clean")
✅ She let me borrow her car. (Not "to borrow")

Structure:

👉 Make + object + base verb
👉 Let + object + base verb

🔹 More Examples:
✅ The teacher made us write an essay.
✅ They let us leave early.

📌 Tip: "Make" means force or require someone to do something.
📌 Tip: "Let" means allow or permit someone to do something.

❌ Common Mistakes with Infinitives

❌ Incorrect	✅ Correct	📢 Why?
I enjoy to swim.	I enjoy swimming.	"Enjoy" takes a gerund, not an infinitive.
She wants go home.	She wants to go home.	Always use "to" before the verb.
He is happy help.	He is happy to help.	Use "to" after adjectives.
I need study more.	I need to study more.	"Need" takes an infinitive.
My dad let me to drive the car.	My dad let me drive the car.	"Let" takes a bare infinitive.

📌 Tip: Remember which verbs take infinitives and which take gerunds!

📝 Example Sentences with Infinitives

🔹 Verb + To + Infinitive
✅ I hope to travel next year.
✅ She promised to call me.

🔹 Infinitives After Adjectives
✅ It’s important to be on time.
✅ He is excited to start his new job.

🔹 Infinitives for Purpose
✅ I went to the gym to exercise.
✅ She studies hard to get good grades.

🔹 Make & Let + Bare Infinitive
✅ My parents made me apologize.
✅ She let me use her phone.

📌 Fun Fact: The longest English phrase with only infinitives is "to be or not to be" from Hamlet! 🎭

FAQs About Infinitive Verbs

What is an infinitive verb?

➡️ An infinitive is the base form of a verb with "to" (e.g., "to eat," "to go").

How do I know when to use an infinitive or a gerund?

➡️ Some verbs take infinitives (want to go), some take gerunds (enjoy going), and some can take both.

Can an infinitive be the subject of a sentence?

➡️ Yes! Example: "To learn English is fun."

What is the difference between "to go" and "going"?

➡️ "To go" is an infinitive (e.g., "I want to go").
➡️ "Going" is a gerund (e.g., "I enjoy going").

Why do "make" and "let" use bare infinitives?

➡️ Because in English, some verbs (like "make" and "let") drop "to" before the verb.
➡️ Example: "My boss made me stay late." (Not "to stay").