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:
Verbs of saying:
Other common verbs are: