The infinitive is the base form of the verb. Examples are: (to) write, (to) sing, (to) dance etc. The infinitive is usually used with the marker ‘to’ but after some verbs it is used without ‘to’.

When the infinitive is used with ‘to’, it is called a to-infinitive. When it is used without ‘to’, it is called a bare infinitive.

Complete the following sentences using an infinitive.

1. Let him ………………… down.

a) sit
b) to sit

2. She didn’t allow me …………………… down.

a) sit
b) to sit

3. I saw him ……………………. the money.

a) take
b) to take

4. We heard her ……………………. a lovely song.

a) sing
b) to sing

5. He made me ………………….. for hours.

a) wait
b) to wait

6. Could you help me …………………… this box?

a) lift
b) to lift

7. I watched him …………………….. over the stream.

a) jump
b) to jump

8. She does not want ……………………

a) go
b) to go

9. You had better …………………. him.

a) ask
b) to ask

10. He would rather …………………….. than yield to pressure.

a) starve
b) to starve

Answers

1. Let him sit down.

2. She didn’t allow me to sit down.

3. I saw him take the money.

4. We heard her sing a lovely song.

5. He made me wait for hours.

6. Could you help me lift this box? (The verb help can also be followed by a to-infinitive.)

7. I watched him jump over the stream.

8. She does not want to go.

9. You had better ask him.

10. He would rather starve than yield to pressure.