These are the rules....


verb + object + to-infinitive

 

 

example:

The teacher told us to do the homework.

 

 

rule:

After certain words in English, you use an object + to-infinitive. This resembles the German "zu" (Ich bitte dich, das ZU TUN).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

form: see above ;)

 

signal words:

There are actually a lot of words after which such a construction can be used. See below a list of such words (but there are more...)

Question word + to-infinitive

 

 

example:

I wonder how to get to the station.

 

 

rule:

A lot of times, the to-infinitive is used after question words. It then is used like a relative clause with can, could, might,...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

form: again - see above

 

signal words:

Question words+ to-infinitive constructions are often used in combination with verbs like ask, explain, find out, know, wonder, tell,...

to-infinitive instead of relative clause

 

example:

I wasn't the first to be caught by the police (--> I wasn't the first who was caught by the police)

rule:

To-infinitve can be used instead of a relative clause if

 

1. it follows the first, the last, the next, the only

 

2. it follows a superlative (the biggest,...)

 

3. there is a modal verb in the relative clause (There was a bed that we could sleep in --> There was a bed to sleep in)

 

4. any form of "any" or "some" is used (somebody, anybody, somewhere,....)

 

form:

see above....

 

signal words:

as stated in the rule.

 



list of verbs that can be followed by a to-infintive structure


Verbs of thinking and feeling:

  • choose
  • decide
  • expect
  • forget
  • hate
  • hope
  • intend
  • learn
  • like
  • love
  • mean
  • plan
  • prefer

Verbs of saying:

  • agree
  • promise
  • refuse

Other common verbs are:

  • arrange
  • attempt
  • fail
  • help
  • manage
  • tend
  • try
  • want
  • remember
  • would like
  • would love