Verb infinitives are composed of infinitive symbol to plus verb prototype. Sometimes infinitive symbol to can be omitted, which is called an infinitive without to.
1. Characteristics of verb infinitives
Verb infinitives is a type of non-predicate verb, but it still retains some characteristics of the verb and can carry its own object and adverbial. If it is a connection verb, you can follow the descriptive words.
He is going to Beijing to attend a meeting. He is going to Beijing to attend a meeting.
The news proved to be true. This message was proven to be true.
He managed to finish the work in ten days. He managed to finish the work in ten days.
2. Tendency and Voice of Verb Infinitive
Tendency of Verb Infinitive
Tendency of Verb Infinitive Linux: To do, to be done, to have done and to have been doing (to have done)
Voice of Verb Infinitive Linux: passive voice of General (to be done), passive voice of Completed Linux (to have been done)
① General verb infinitive Windows: To do: It means that the action and the predicate verb occur simultaneously or later, and sometimes it can also indicate that the action occurs before the predicate verb.
He seemed to be unhappy. He seemed unhappy. (Infinitive action and predicate verb action occur simultaneously)
I’m eager to see you again. I long to see you again. (The infinitive action occurs after the predicate verb)
I’m glad to have you back. I’m glad you are back. (Infinitive action occurs before the predicate verb)
② To be doing verb infinitive: indicates that the action is in progress, which can occur simultaneously with the predicate verb's action, or it can occur after the predicate verb.
He pretended to be reading when his mother came in. (Infinitive action and predicate verb action occur simultaneously)
I wish to be traveling with you this time next year. I hope to travel with you at this time next year. (Infinitive action occurs after the predicate verb)
③The completion formula of the verb infinitive (to have done): represents the action that has been completed in the past or the wish that has not been completed in the past.
I’m sorry to have kept you waiting for so long. Sorry, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. (Completed Action)
He is said to have visited Beijing several times 4. It is said that he has visited Beijing many times. (Completed Action)
Some verbs representing intention, plan, plan, hope, etc., such as wished, wanted, expected, hoped, intended, planned, thought, would like to do, and an infinitive completion form is added to indicate wishes, plans, etc. that have not been realized in the past.
I’d like to have gone travelling with him this summer, but I fell ill. (Unreached wish)
④ The completion of the verb infinitive is carried out: It means that the action occurs before the predicate verb and continues, emphasizing the continuity of the action.
The zoologist is said to have been living in the forest for 20 years.
⑤ Passive voice of verb infinitive
General passive voice (to be done): means that the passive action occurs simultaneously with the predicate verb's action, or after the predicate verb's action.
The meeting to be held tomorrow is about children’s education.
to have been done: to have been done: indicates that the passive action occurs before the predicate verb.
The book is said to have been translated into several languages.
3. Negative form of verb infinitive: add not or never before verb infinitive.
He was warned not to make bad friends4. He was warned not to make bad friends.
He pretended to not see me. He pretended not to see me.
