Infinitives are one of the most common grammar structures in English. You will see them everywhere—in conversations, writing, instructions, and academic English.
An infinitive in English is the base form of a verb with to, such as to learn, to travel, or to understand. Infinitives are flexible and appear in many different sentence patterns.
In this guide, you will learn how infinitives work in several important structures, including:
- verbs followed by infinitives
- verb + object + infinitive patterns
- causative verbs such as let, make, allow, and have
- adjective + infinitive combinations
- infinitives used as subjects
- infinitives that show purpose
- infinitives used with too and enough
Each section includes clear explanations, examples, and common mistakes to help you understand how infinitives work in real English.
If you want to improve your grammar accuracy and sound more natural when speaking or writing, mastering infinitives is an important step.
➡️ Review here:
Independent and Dependent Clauses in English
1. Verbs Followed by an Infinitive
Some verbs are commonly followed by to + verb (infinitive). After these verbs, we use an infinitive to complete the meaning of the sentence.
Download the complete list of verbs followed by infinitives in a clean, printable format.
Download PDF
Structure
Subject + Verb + Infinitive
Examples
- I want to learn Spanish.
- She decided to study in Barcelona.
- We plan to travel to Tulum next summer.
- My students hope to finish their homework before class.
- Diego tried to climb La Peña de Bernal.
-
❌ I want learn English.
✅ I want to learn English.
❌ She decided studying abroad.
✅ She decided to study abroad.
❌ They plan go tomorrow.
✅ They plan to go tomorrow.
2. Verb + Object + Infinitive
This structure is used when one person causes or asks another person to do something.
Structure
Subject + Verb + Object + Infinitive
Common verbs that use this pattern:
- tell
- ask
- want
- need
- expect
- advise
- encourage
- remind
Examples
- The teacher asked the students to finish the assignment.
- She told me to call her later.
- They want us to arrive early.
- The manager encouraged the team to work together.
- My friend reminded me to bring my passport.
👉 Rule: Use Verb + Object + Infinitive (NOT “that + subject”).
-
❌ She told me call her later.
✅ She told me to call her later.
❌ The teacher asked the students finish the work.
✅ The teacher asked the students to finish the work.
❌ They want that we arrive early.
✅ They want us to arrive early.
➡️ Review here:
Mastering Direct and Indirect Objects in English
3. Causative Verbs
Causative verbs describe situations where one person causes another person to do something.
Important causative verbs include:
- get
- persuade
- convince
- help
- let
- permit
- allow
- make
- have
Some causative verbs use the infinitive, while others use the base form of a verb without to.
Causatives with Infinitives
Structure
Subject + Verb + Object + Infinitive
Used with:
- get
- persuade
- convince
- allow
- permit
- help (both forms possible)
Examples:
- I got my dog to stop jumping on the couch.
- Karina persuaded her boyfriend to go to the party.
- The teacher convinced the students to submit their homework on time.
- I never allow my students to scroll TikTok videos during class because TikTok will rot their brains!
- The city doesn’t permit campers to sleep overnight.
- The store clerk helped the police to arrest the thief.
Causatives with the Base Form of a Verb
Structure
Subject + Verb + Object + Base Form of a Verb
Used with:
- let
- make
- have
- help
Examples:
- I don’t let my students use ChatGPT during exams.
- I make them talk to strangers.
- Annoying customers have the barista remake their cappuccinos.
- Good teachers help their students understand difficult grammar topics.
-
❌ My parents let me to stay out late.
✅ My parents let me stay out late.
❌ The teacher made us to write the essay again.
✅ The teacher made us write the essay again.
❌ The school lets students to use laptops .
✅ The school lets students use laptops.
-
Infinitive (to + verb)
get, allow, permit, persuade, convince -
Base Form (no “to”)
let, make -
Both (Infinitive OR Base Form)
help
4. Adjectives + Infinitive
Infinitives often follow adjectives to explain why someone feels a certain way or to describe a situation.
Structure
Subject + Be Verb + Adjective + Infinitive
Common adjectives:
- happy
- glad
- excited
- ready
- eager
- surprised
- disappointed
- afraid
- proud
Examples:
- I am happy to see you.
- She was excited to start her new job.
- They were surprised to hear the news.
- He is ready to begin the project.
- We are eager to learn more.
👉 Rule: Use Adjective + Infinitive
-
❌ I am afraid drive in Bogotá.
✅ I am afraid to drive in Bogotá.
❌ They were excited watch Texas Longhorn football.
✅ They were excited to watch Texas Longhorn football.
❌ They are ready go.
✅ They are ready to go.
5. Infinitives as Subjects
An infinitive phrase can function as the subject of a sentence.
Structure
Infinitive + rest of sentence
This structure is common in formal or written English. In everyday speech, English speakers often use it as a subject instead.
Examples:
- To travel abroad is exciting. (It is exciting to travel abroad)
- To learn English requires practice outside of class. (It requires practice outside of class to learn English)
- To speak English fluently takes time. (It takes time to speak English fluently)
👉 Rule: Use an Infinitive as the subject.
❌ Learn English is easy.
✅ To learn English is easy.
❌ Understand this grammar takes time.
✅ To understand this grammar takes time.
❌ Finish the project will take weeks.
✅ To finish the project will take weeks.
6. Infinitives to Show Purpose
Infinitives are often used to explain why someone does something.
Structure
Verb + Infinitive
This Infinitive expresses purpose or intention.
Examples:
- She went to the store to buy groceries.
- They saved money to travel to Mexico next year.
- He called me to ask a question.
- We met early to prepare for the meeting.
- I exercise regularly to stay healthy.
👉 Rule: Use an Infinitive to show purpose (NOT “for + verb”).
❌ I study English for improve my grammar.
✅ I study English to improve my grammar.
❌ She went to the store buy groceries.
✅ She went to the store to buy groceries.
❌ He called me for ask a question.
✅ He called me to ask a question.
7. Infinitives with Too and Enough
Infinitives often appear after too and enough to describe whether something is possible.
Structure
Too + Adjective + Infinitive
Meaning: something is more than necessary or possible.
Examples:
- The coffee is too hot to drink.
- The box is too heavy to carry.
- He was too tired to work.
- The teacher speaks too fast to understand.
Structure
Adjective + Enough + Infinitive
Meaning: something is sufficient.
Examples:
- She is old enough to drive.
- The room is big enough to hold everyone.
- We are strong enough to finish the marathon.
- My students are smart enough to learn English.
👉 Rule: Use Too + Infinitive OR Adjective + Enough + Infinitive.
❌ This bag is too heavy carry.
✅ This bag is too heavy to carry.
❌ He is strong enough lift the table.
✅ He is strong enough to lift the table.
❌ The water is too cold to swimming.
✅ The water is too cold to swim in.
Spanish Speaker Issues with Infinitives
Spanish and English both use infinitives, but the structures are not always the same. Because of this, Spanish speakers sometimes transfer Spanish patterns directly into English.
1. Forgetting ‘to’ before the infinitive
In Spanish, infinitives appear without a word like to.
Spanish:
Quiero aprender inglés.
English requires to.
❌ I want learn English.
✅ I want to learn English.
This is one of the most common mistakes for Spanish speakers.
2. Using ‘for’ instead of ‘to’ for purpose
Spanish often uses para + infinitive to express purpose.
Spanish:
Estudio inglés para trabajar en Los Estados Unidos.
In English, we usually use to + verb (the infinitive).
❌ I study English for work in the United States.
✅ I study English to work in the United States.
3. Using that-clauses instead of the infinitive
Spanish frequently uses que + verb where English prefers an infinitive.
Spanish:
Quiero que vengas temprano.
English structure:
verb + object + infinitive
❌ I want that you come early.
✅ I want you to come early.
4. Confusion with causative verbs
Some causative verbs in English use the base form of a verb without “to.”
❌ My parents let me to stay out late.
✅ My parents let me stay out late.❌ The teacher made us to write the essay again.
✅ The teacher made us write the essay again.
This structure is different from Spanish, where an infinitive normally follows.
5. Word order with ‘too’ and ‘enough’
Spanish word order is different in these expressions.
Spanish:
Es demasiado pesado para cargar.
Ella tiene la edad suficiente para conducir.
English:
❌ The box is too heavy carry.
✅ The box is too heavy to carry.❌ She is enough old to drive.
✅ She is old enough to drive.
✔ Tip for Spanish speakers:
When you see to + verb in English, think of it as the English infinitive marker. It often translates to nothing in Spanish, but it is required in English grammar.
Some verbs are followed by an infinitive (to study), while others are followed by a gerund (studying). Learning the difference will help you avoid common mistakes in English grammar.
➡️ Continue learning here:
Gerunds in English
Let’s Practice Infinitives in English!!
Exercise A
Unscramble the words in parentheses and complete the sentence.
- (told / to put / my students) I ______ their phones away!
- (them / begged / to stop) I ______ scrolling TikTok videos!
- (not / urged / us / to be) The school ______ late!
- (convinced / to use / Alejandra) Her mom ______ a seatbelt.
- (needed / me / move / her / to help) My friend ______ her furniture.
- (asked / to finish / me / the report) My boss ______ before the meeting.
- (told / to clean / me / my room) My mother ______ before dinner.
- (persuaded / to apply / him) Regina ______ for the job.
- (reminded / to bring / us / our homework) The teacher ______ to class.
- (allowed / to stay / them) Their parents ______ out past midnight.
Exercise B
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in parentheses. Use either the infinitive or base form of the verb.
- The teacher made us ______ (talk) to strangers.
- My girlfriend doesn’t let me ______ (listen) to Bad Bunny.
- I convinced the bank ______ (loan) me $2,000,000.
- The teacher permitted us ______ (leave) class for 15 minutes.
- Meditation allows you ______ (relax) your mind and body.
- My boss made me ______ (work) late last night.
- My parents didn’t allow me ______ (stay) out past midnight when I was in 7th grade.
- This app helps you ______ (organize) your schedule.
- The coach lets us ______ (take) water breaks every 30 minutes.
- My Spanish professor encouraged me ______ (study) in Santiago, Chile.
Scoring and Feedback
🔵 17 – 20 Correct
Excellent work! 🎉 You really understand how to use infinitives. Keep using them in your everyday conversations and writing.
🟢 14 – 16 Correct
Great job! ✅ You have a good understanding of infinitives. Review the ones you missed.
🟡 12 – 13 Correct
Good effort! 💪You’re learning, and that’s what matters. Take a moment to review the examples and do the quiz again.
🔴 0 – 11 Correct
No worries! 🌱 Infinitives can be tricky at first. Go back and review the examples in the lesson.
Conclusion
Infinitives are an essential part of English grammar. They appear in many different sentence structures and help speakers express purpose, intention, cause, and possibility.
Understanding these patterns will help you build clearer and more natural sentences in English.
Like most grammar structures, infinitives become easier with practice and exposure. Pay attention to how they appear in conversations, reading materials, and everyday English.
The more you notice these patterns, the more confidently you will use them in your own speaking and writing.
Remember! Learning a language is not about perfection—it’s about progress. Keep practicing, stay curious, and trust the process. You are moving beyond English to more opportunities, connections, and self-expression!
Leave a Reply