verb infinitives have the properties of verbs, nouns and adverbs, and can be used as subject, object, representation, attributive, adverb and complement in sentences.
1. The verb infinitive is the subject, and the predicate verb uses the singular number.
To go shopping today is a good idea.
To finish the task in one day is difficult.
When the verb infinitive used as the subject is longer, in order to maintain the balance of the sentence and avoid being too heavy, it is often used as the formal subject and put the real subject behind it.
It is important to learn English well.
It is necessary to take exercise every day. Exercise every day is necessary
2. Verb infinitives are used as object
Some transitive verb , verb phrase needs to use infinitives as object, and verb infinitives can also be used as object of prepositions.
① There are many objects with verb infinitives. Common verbs are:
verbs that express hope: wish, hope, expectt
means agree, promise verbs that promise: agree, promise, undertake
means want, try verbs: wan t, plan, intend, desire, mean, attemptt
verbs representing decision: decision, determine
There are some other common verbs: manage, offer, demand, refund, prepare, arrange, fail, etc.
He He decided to go to Beijing tomorrow.
He managed to finish the task in one month.
②it is used as the formal object:
Commonly used verbs include: think, make, find, feel, consider, etc.
Commonly used structures are: verb + it + adjective/noun (object complementary) + to do
He thought it his duty to help others. He believes that helping others is his responsibility.
He felt it difficult to communicate with his father.
③ Verb infinitives are prepositional objects: Common prepositions are but and excepttml3
He had no choice but to wait. He had no choice but to wait.
3. Verb infinitive form serves as a table: represents the purpose or content of the subject.
The purpose of the sport is to enrich the students’ after-school activities.
His dream is to be a doctor in his hometown.
4. Verb infinitive as attributive: put after the modified noun or pronoun.
①There is an active relationship between the verb infinitive and the modified noun or pronoun.
He was the first person to land on the moon.
②There is a passive relationship between the verb infinitive and the modified noun or pronoun.
Her mother left her much housework to do.
③There is an aptitude relationship between the verb infinitive and the modified noun, explaining the specific content of the modified noun.
He has the ability to finish the work in advance.
5. Verb infinitive as object complementary language: Common structure: subject + predicate + object + object complementary language, where object is generally the logical subject of verb infinitive language.
I consider him to be honest.
They don’t allow anyone to smoke in the hospital.
Some verbs need to omit the infinitive symbol to when they are object complementary to the verb infinitive.
verbs representing senses and servitude: sensory verbs: one feel, two listen to hear, listen to, three let have, make, let, five see, watch, observe, notice, look at, half help help (can be added to, or not);
verbs : have, make, lettml3
I saw our teacher enter the classroom.
The teacher had us clean the windows.
When the subject + predicate + object + object complement structure is used in passive voice , the object complement is called subject complement, plus the infinitive symbol to.
He was seen to read in his own room.
6. Verb infinitives are used as adverbials: often used to express the purpose and the result.
To arrive there on time, they set off early. (Table purpose)
He hurried to the station only to find the train had left. He hurried to the station and found that the train had left. (Table results)
