Overview
This lecture explains the bare infinitive, its usage, and how it differs from the full infinitive form with "to" in English grammar.
Infinitive vs. Bare Infinitive
- The infinitive is the base verb with "to" (e.g., to play).
- The bare infinitive is the base verb without "to" (e.g., play).
- "To" infinitives are usually used after certain verbs like "want" or "like".
- Bare infinitives are used after certain words and expressions, mainly modal and auxiliary verbs.
Usage of Bare Infinitives
- Bare infinitives follow modal verbs: can, could, may, might, should, would, will, shall, must.
- Examples: "He can play," "He should go," "He will win."
- Used after auxiliary verbs do, does, did to form questions and negatives (e.g., "Did he eat?" "He does not play.").
- Used after verbs of perception: see, hear, feel, watch, notice, smell (e.g., "I saw him leave").
- Used after make, have, and let (e.g., "Let him eat," "She made me cry").
- Used after expressions: would rather, cannot but, dare not, need not (e.g., "I would rather stay," "You need not worry").
- Sometimes used after "why" for making suggestions (e.g., "Why wait?").
Key Terms & Definitions
- Infinitive — the base form of a verb, often used with "to" (e.g., to eat).
- Bare Infinitive — the base form of a verb without "to".
- Modal Verbs — verbs like can, could, may, might, should, would, will, shall, must.
- Auxiliary Verbs — helper verbs like do, does, did.
- Verbs of Perception — verbs describing senses (see, hear, feel, etc.).
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review examples of sentences using bare infinitives after modal, auxiliary, and perception verbs.
- Practice forming sentences using both infinitive and bare infinitive structures.