THE NON-FINITES (Infinitives)

 

A non-finite verb is a verb form which is not acting like a verb.

There are three types of non-finite verbs: infinitives, participles and gerunds.

(1) Infinitives: When a verb has no subject and then it is not limited by number and person, it simply names the action denoted by the verb, it is called the infinitive.

The form of infinitives is ‘to+1^st form of verb’ when it is in active voice. But when it is in passive voice, its form is ‘to be+3^rd form of verb’; as:-

a_They always try to help her.   

b_It is time for her to be helped.   

In these sentences, ‘to help’ and ‘to be helped’ have no subjects. Thus, not limited by number and person. Similarly observe the following:-

a_It is possible to cross the river.                            

b_It is not safe for children to play on the road.               

c_It was foolish of her to reject the offer.                          

d_It seemed impossible to go on.                   

e_Do you know when to begin?                     

f_The news proved to be false.                       

g_We pretended not to see her.   

h_It is too hot to go outside.                 

i_We are near enough to see everything.                  

An infinitive is of two types:

1. _Simple Infinitives

2. _Gerundial Infinitives/ Adverb Infinitives

A_Use of simple infinitives:

i._ As subject of verb:-

a_To err is human.                                    

ii._As object of verb:-

          a_I’m going to tell you a story.        

iii. As complement of verb:-

          a_Ask me how to use these words.           

iv._As object of preposition:-

          a_We are about to take tea.                       

B_Use of gerundial infinitives/adverb infinitives:

i._ To express purpose; as:-

          a_She wants somebody to talk to.   

ii._To qualify an adjective; as:-

          a_Apples are good to eat.      

iii. To qualify a noun; as:-

           a_This shop is to let.    

The use of ‘to’ with the infinitives is a simple thing, however, it is not an essential sign of infinitives. The following verbs take the infinitives without ‘to’:

Principal verbs: can, must, let, make, bid, dare, please, need, and also verbs denoting some kind of perception: see, feel, hear, know, watch etc.

a_He can run very fast.               

b_Let him stand there.                

c_You need not go there.            

d_You dare not do it.        

e_I felt her touch me.

f_Please go there.               

g_Make her sit.                  

h_I heard her sing.             

Auxiliary verbs: do, shall, will, may, might, should, would, and also when they are used as principal verbs.

a_He does not like her.      

b_Will you come with me?

c_We eat that we may live.

d_You may go.                  

e_I will do it.            

f_He shall go.           

The infinitive without ‘to’ is used after had better, had rather, had sooner, would rather, sooner than, had rather than:

a_You had better read this book.         

b_I would rather die than suffer all this.        

c_I had rather dance than sing.             

d_I had sooner run than walk.              

The use of infinitives without ‘to’ after ‘than’, and after ‘but’ is made in the sense of ‘except’.

a_She is better able to sing than dance.          

b_She did no more than weep.             

c_She did nothing but laugh and sing.