The verb infinitive to do
1.Table in the future (to be done, not yet done).
2.It is often used as an adverbial for purpose, "for".
Table of Contents:
1.Negative
2.Verb infinitive tenses, voices, and meaning verbs
3.The syntactic function of infinitives
4.The active form of the infinitive of the verb denotes the passive sense
1.Negative
The negative form is preceded by a negative word to do, i.e., not to do.
For example: not to get there in time is your faultIt's your responsibility if you don't get there on time.
my teacher told me not to be late again.My teacher told me not to be late anymore.
2.Active and passive voices in various tenses of verb infinitives
Note: The infinitive does not have the change of the sum of the person, but the change of tense and voice, the infinitive can be used as the subject, object, predicate and definite, but not as a predicate. The logical subject of an infinitive is often used as "for + pronoun or pronoun object".
2.1 Definition of the tense of the infinitive.
How to determine the precedence between the following infinitives and predicate verbs?
Let's look at two example sentences, 1my mum seemed to h**e known everything.
Where, to h**e known everything occurs before the predicate action seemed.
2.she is well-known to h**e been to many countries.
where to h**e been to many countries occurs before the predicate action is well-known.
Therefore, we come to the conclusion that the infinitive perfect form to h**e done mainly indicates an action or state that takes place before the predicate action.
2.2. Comparison of infinitive voices
General formula: e.g., 1i'm excited to go to china.(to go to China active voice).
2.she doesn't like to be treated as a bird in cage.(to be treated as a bird in cage).
Completion: e.g., 1 i'm sorry to h**e kept you waiting so long.
to h**e kept you waiting so long).
2.the work seems to h**e been finished before the deadline.
to h**e been finished before the deadline, in the passive voice).
Progressive: e.g., i am very delighted to be working with you
to be working with you).
3.1 syntactic function of infinitives - subject
When the infinitive is used as the subject, it generally indicates a concrete, individual, one-time or future action.
For example, to see is to believeTo see is to believe.
to help the poor is our duty.It is our responsibility to help the poor.
The infinitive structure is usually relatively long, in order to make the expression clearer, we often use it as the formal subject, instead of the real subject infinitive, the following four sentence structures, have been seen in junior high school, let's review it:
1.it + predicate + object and other verb infinitives.
For example, it makes me sad to think about itI grieve when I think about it.
it does you a lot of benefits to swim in the rivers.Swimming in the river is good for you.
2.it+be + predicative verb infinitive.
For example, it was right to give up smokingIt is right to give up smoking.
it was quite beyond me to help him.I can't help him.
3.it+be + predicate +of....Verb infinitive.
For example, it is very kind of you to help meIt's great that you can help me.
it was careless of him to make such a mistake.He made such a mistake, it was too careless.
4.it+be + verb infinitive with logical subject "for sb." to do sth.”
For example, it is important for you to attend that meetingIt's important that you attend that meeting.
it is a good idea for us to work while studying.It's a good idea to work part-time while you're in school.
3.2. The syntactic function of the infinitive-object.
As an object, we are familiar with the object of the verb and the object of the preposition, let's take a look at the following sentence patterns are familiar?
Subject + Predicate + Object (Infinitive).
l Common verbs:
l Three wishes, two promises (hope, wish, want, agree, promise).
l Two requests (demand, ask, refuse).
l Try to make decisions (manage, learn, decide).
Don't pretend, choose
For example, I hope to see you soon
she refused to go out with me.
the dog managed to escape from the burning building.
he pretended to listen to the teacher’s speech.
Subject + predicate verb + object (wh - interrogative word + verb infinitive).
For example, he asked how to get to the stationHe asked how to get to the station.
i don't know whether to go or stay.I don't know whether to go or stay.
Verbs that can be used for this structure, e.g., ask, decide, know, remember, forget, explain, wonder, etc.
Subject + predicate verb + it + object complement + object (infinitive verb).
It is used as the formal object, and the real object, i.e., the infinitive, is put behind.
For example, he considered it better to start nowHe thinks it's best to start now.
i think it necessary to carry on the experiment.I think it's necessary to continue this experiment.
i consider it my duty to appreciate you.I think it's my responsibility to thank you.
l Verbs that can be used for this structure, such as:
believe, believe, consider, consider; think, count to see, think,
feel, believe, find, find, think, guess; think,
imagine to imagine, to think, to imagine, to judge, to think; Judge,
know prove, prove; , realize to know, realize to recognize
See thinks, finds, sees, supposes inferences, anticipates, conjectures; Assume, think, believe
suspect conjecture, think, think, think
understand; Understood, understood
report; It is said that to announce, to show, to show; Give ......Look, declare, declare, declare
Deny denied; refusal to admit it, and so on.
Haha, have you noticed that a whole bunch of things related to subjective consciousness think, think, here?
When the infinitive is used as the object of but and except, if it is preceded by the do verb, the to
For example, she could do nothing but cryShe had nothing else to do but cry.
3.3. The syntactic function of the infinitive-predicate
As a predicate, of course, it must be placed after the verb, and our common sentence patterns are as followsSubject + be + verb infinitive as a predicate
For example, his dream is to be a lawyerHis dream is to become a lawyer.
the only choice is to wait.The only option is to wait.
to spread knowledge is to spread happiness.To spread knowledge is to spread happiness.
When the subject part has the verb do, the infinitive expands the meaning of do without to. That is, the sentence structure is ,Subject + be + verb infinitive as a predicate without to.
For example, all they could do is keep studyingAll they can do is keep learning.
what you can do is wait and see.All you can do is wait and see.
The interrogative words how what when where which are infinitives are added as expressions. Subject + be + (interrogative word + verb infinitive as predicative).
For example, the point is how to control yourselfIt's all about self-control.
the question is where to find the answer.The question is to find the answer.
3.4. The syntactic function of the infinitive - the object complement
The five basic sentence patterns used here are subject-verb-object-object complements.
(1) In the object complement after the words feel, hear, listen to, look at, notice, observe, see, watch, h**e, let, make, etc., the infinitive does not have to. But if these sentences become passive structures, they must have to.
Example: I saw him enter the room just nowI just saw him enter the room.
he was seen to enter the room just now.He was seen just entering the room.
Come oneThe infinitive of to be omittedofFormulas"I look at the three bedrooms and two living rooms, and I feel half helped."
lI see, look at, watch, notice, observe
lThree rooms: three envoys make, let, h**e
lTwo halls: hear, listen to
lA feeling: a feeling,
lSemi-help: help (help sb do ; help sb to do).
（2）"to be + adjective noun "."believe, consider, declare, feel, find, judge, know, prove, suppose, think, etc.
The familiar picture comes, and I see the pile of 'think, feel' verbs related to subjective consciousness.
For example: I believe him to be honestI believe he is honest.
i judge her to be a judge.I think she's a judge.
(3) Becoming a passive structure, the infinitive without to be used as the subject complement must have to (to is retained in passive).
Example: Active: They had seen her grow upThey watched her grow up.
Passive: She had been seen to grow upShe was watched growing up.
workSubject complementThe infinitive of can be used in both perfect and progressive forms.
e.g. he is said to h**e won the gold medalHe is said to have won the gold medal.
to h**e won is the complete tense.
h**e somebodydo something/ make somebodydo something/ get somebodyto do somethingThe difference.
h**e - Expect others to do something for themselves, something that should be done within their part.
Make - Use power to force others to do something they don't want to do
get-persuade not to do what we want, it's difficult.
Next, weExpandCharge itOther cases where TO is omitted:
1.After than, it is often followed by an infinitive without to
1）would rather do ..Than do would rather be ......Nor do it
2）rather than do
Commonly found in,prefer to do...rather than dostructure, "prefer to do." Instead of doing.
3) do nothing than rather do nothing
Note:
know better than to do is a phrase"know what not to do; Not stupid enough to do something"
i know better than to do such a foolish thing.MeWon't be stupidGoDo such stupid things.
2.but structure,
1）cannot butCan't no, have to, can't,
He can't but agree.
2）cannot choose butI have to, there is no choice, I can only do it.
i cannot choose but wait.I had no choice but to wait.
3）cannot help butCan't but can't, can't help it, can't help it (Means not being able to control your actions or emotions, involuntarily doing something or feeling something.) ）
tonight, i cannot help but marvel at how far we h**e come together.
Tonight, I can't help but marvel at the progress that has come so far in our interactions.
4）do nothing butDo nothing but do something, only do
they do nothing but bow to play mobile phones.
They don't do anything but keep their heads down and play with their phones.
5）h**e nothing to do butThere is no choice but to do something, meaning that there is nothing else to do but an action or activity.
you h**e nothing to do but wait.There's no other way but to wait.
3.Some fixed collocations, let fly launch; Let go let go; Let go make do will be; Improvised; i've heard say I've heard
4.When as well as is preceded by a verb infinitive with to, it is followed by an infinitive without to
For example, I came to see you as well as learn the truth
3.5. The syntactic function of the infinitive-definite
l as a definite (often placed after a noun) nouns modified by only, last, next ordinal numerals or adjectives at the highest level are often used as definite expressions; The infinitive can also be used as a noun or the definite of the indefinite pronoun.
e.g. h**e the ability to do sth.
h**e an attempt to do sth
h**e something to do There is something to do.
the only one to come.
h**e something boring to say.
he is always the last one to le**e the office.He was always the last to leave the office.
Note:: If the verb followed by the infinitive to is an intransitive verb, the preposition after the infinitive.
For example: i h**en't decided which city to stay in.I haven't decided which city to live in.
i found no one to go with.I couldn't find anyone to go with.
lAlso, there are several usages:
The infinitive as a definite is sometimes almost equivalent to a definite clause and is mostly used to indicate an imminent action.
For example, the problem to be discussed tomorrow is of greatest interest
The issues to be discussed tomorrow are interesting.
It can be expressed as, the problem which will be discussed tomorrow is of greatest interest
The infinitive form of the intransitive verb and the modified word form a logical verb-object relationship, and the infinitive form of the definite is the intransitive verb, and the necessary preposition should be added after the verb to make it collocation with the logical object; Sometimes the noun or pronoun modified by the infinitive is the place or tool of the infinitive action, and the infinitive should be followed by a preposition.
For example, a pen to write with
The infinitive nouns are time, place, way, and then it is customary to omit prepositions.
For example, this is the best way to work out the problem (in).
we are looking for a place to lie (in).
Indicates that the future meaning or the modified word is an ordinal number, the superlative, the only the last, etc., or when modified by this class of words, the infinitive is mostly used as a definite word
that is the only way to solve the problem.
3.6 The syntactic function of the infinitive - as an adverbial
The infinitive is used as an adverbial, which mostly indicates the purpose, cause, result, condition, etc., and is generally located at the beginning of the sentence, and sometimes can also be located in the middle or end of the sentence. For emphasis, you can also use in order to do....Or so as to do.
For example: he went to America to learn finance(Table).
he hurried to the bus stop only to find the bus had left.(Table Results).
he cried to hear the bad news.(Table Reasons).
InfinitiveReason adverbial:
Subject + intransitive verb expressing emotion as predicate + infinitive as cause adverbial
For example: he shouted to be noticedHe shouted loudly to get attention.
Subject + be + adjective or past participle for emotion as predicate + infinitive as reason adverbial
For example: He was delighted to hear from his girl friend
He was happy to receive a letter from his girlfriend.
Subject + be + adjective predicate that illustrates a person's behavior or quality + infinitive as a reason adverbial
For example: he is so warm-hearted to help you with your math
He is so eager to help you learn math.
3.6 Infinitives as result adverbials
l1.too...to…..Too. And can't
For example: it is too he**y to take off
2. not/never too...to.Indicates affirmative significance
For example: it is never too old to learn
3.only to do unexpected results as a result adverbial
For example: he tried on the dress ,only to find it didn't fit.
4. so...as to do so....As a result
For example: I was so tired as to fall asleep during the trip
5.such+noun as to do so....As a result
For example: i was such an excellent woman as to receive a big reward
6.in order to do
For example: i h**e collected plastic bags in order to protect the planet
Identification of easy mixing points:
The infinitive-active form forms express the passive meaning
l1.In"adj+to do"In the structure, the infinitive mostly uses the active voice, common adjectives: hard, difficult, easy, fit, cheap, expensive, etc
For example: the T-shirt is fit to wear
l2.In the there be structure, the infinitive active voice tends to denote the passive meaning.
There are always many chores to do in the house
l3.Fixed collocations in infinitive active voice.
For example: she is not to blame(be to blame).
3.7 syntactic functions of infinitives - as independent components
lAn infinitive phrase that is often used as a stand-alone component, for example,
Honestly, let's be honest.
to tell you the truth、to be honest、to be frank 、to speak frankly
First of all, at the beginning, initially.
to begin with、to start with
All in all to sum up
Undoubtedly, admittedly, of course, it is true to be sure certain
What's worse is to make matters things worse
Not to mention, not to mention
Needless to say
Such as::to speak frankly, i don't like your attitude.
Frankly, I don't like your attitude.
Summary
Infinitive: Subject-object form definite complement, it form object and form subject;
If the object is changed from the clause none; Leave a question to do;
The senses do not shake off; It depends on the voice being associated with the Lord.