The particle to after like. Consideration of articles a - an - the

The incorrect use of the word to immediately reveals a foreigner in a person. After all, Russian speakers who are just beginning to comprehend the intricacies of the English language very often skip this particular part of speech or insert it where it does not belong. In many ways, we are confused due to the fact that to in English is also a preposition, which means direction (in Russian “to”), and a particle (infinitive) placed before the initial form of the verb.

How to define an infinitive?

In Russian, an infinitive is a verb in the initial form with the ending Т: to live, to write, to watch. In English, a verb in the indefinite form does not change the ending - only the particle to is used before it. Therefore, if the particle to comes before a verb, we can confidently say that it has an indefinite form: to eat, to dance, to read.

I want to make a few purchases today. I want to (do what?) do some shopping today.

I haven’t managed to execute all the tasks. I didn’t have time (what to do?) to complete all the tasks.

I am going to visit a cat exhibition. I'm going (what to do?) to visit a cat show.

It is worth noting that the particle to does not always need to be used before the infinitive, since there is such a thing as a “naked infinitive”. It is used after auxiliary and modal verbs, after let and make, and if in a sentence 2 verbs are combined with the preposition and/or, as well as in some other cases. Below is a list of common situations when the particle to is used before a verb:

A specific purpose is expressed through a verb with an infinitive.

He came back to pack his suitcase in time for tomorrow - He came back in time to pack his suitcase for tomorrow.

The infinitive is preceded by the adverbs too or enough.

My brother is too lazy to take away his toys - My brother is too lazy to take away his toys.

The infinitive stands next to the phrases would like, would prefer or would love.

I would like to go on a trip around the world - I would like to go on a trip around the world.

In a sentence where the word only is present, which expresses dissatisfaction with a particular event or result.

He flew to France on a business trip, only to sign a contract with these thick investors - He flew to France on a business trip, only to sign a contract with these stupid investors.

After something, anyone, somewhere and nothing.

He has something to say about his friend - He has something to say about his friend.

The sentence contains the following phrases: be the first (the second, etc.), be the next, be the last and be the best.

Am I the last to know where we will go on vacation? - Am I the last to know where we’re going on vacation?

To simplify your task, just remember the 4 main rules for using the particle to:

1. It is used before verbs in the initial form.
2. There are exceptions in which the to particle is not used.
3. The particle to and the preposition to are two different words. The first is used with verbs, and the second with nouns.
4. To find out whether you need to use the particle to or not, just ask the question “what to do?”, “what to do?”. If the questions are appropriate, then the particle is needed. for example: Read this book. (Do what?) Read this book. I want to read this book. I want (what to do?) read this book.

The word to is very short, but certainly necessary. But most importantly, it often becomes the subject of a question: to put to or not to put.

After all, a Russian person who begins to learn English often misses this word in his speech, or inserts it where it does not belong.

Using the word to incorrectly can immediately make you look like a foreigner.

So, to begin with, it would be useful to recall that in English there are two different words in the form to: the first is a preposition meaning direction, like the Russian “to” (but not only), the second is a particle standing before the indefinite form of the verb, it is also an “infinitive”. Let's start with a particle.

The particle to is placed before the verb of the first form and turns it into an infinitive. Makes “read” instead of “reading”, “read” or “read”. That is, it depersonalizes, devalues ​​and makes it timeless. The verb with the particle to is impersonal, which is why it differs from personal verbs, which come in all forms and numbers. If there are two verbs after the subject, then to usually comes before the second, that is, between them: I want to talk.

Where can the to particle appear?

1. After a finite verb, which can be in any form. But not every personal verb.

• I want to talk.
• She promised to come.
• I'll try to meet her.
• I would like to go
• I managed to do it
• I'm willing to do it
• I used to live there
• I'm going to buy it
• I can afford to buy it
• I choose to be free

• I will be able to come.
• I'm glad to see you.
• I'm strong enough to live without you.
• It's here to stay.

• I want her to come.
• I need somebody to love.
• I asked her to call me.
• Allow me to go.

• I came to talk.
• I’m writing to let you know…
• I keep running to be free.

• To love her is to know her.

As you can see, an infinitive can also be an object.

Where cannot the particle to stand?

1. After personal verbs make, let.

• Let my people go.
• Don't make me laugh.

• I don't mind swimming
• I can't stand swimming
• I can't help dancing
• I feel like dancing
• I consider / imagine/ avoid/ go on/ keep/ enjoy/
• give up/ practice/ miss eating chocolate.

What verb can come after to?

Only the first form. Neither the second, nor the third, nor with the ending -ing. To went, to had, to seen, to drove – are impossible in literate English.

Why then do we say: “I’m looking forward to seeing you”? Is it really an exception? But no! You see not the particle to, but the preposition to. In addition, the word with the ending –ing at the end is not a continuous tense, but a gerund.

Now let's talk about the preposition to.

Remember why we need prepositions in principle? Where are they? Before nouns. And adjectives related to these nouns. And adverbs related to these adjectives. And articles related to nouns, numbers, etc.

Difficult? No: I go to a very nice place. The preposition “to” comes before the preposition “a”, which takes its form thanks to the adverb “very”, which characterizes the adjective “nice”, which refers to the noun “place”, without which there would be no “to”.

1. The preposition to means “in the direction, relatively,” but the translation will vary from one sentence to another. As is usually the case with translations. In Russian it can be either “s” or “na”, and there may be no preposition at all. But English remains English. Therefore, the first place where a preposition can be is before a noun or an objective pronoun.

• Respond to sounds
• Mean to me
• Happen to me
• Listen/dance to the music
• Speak/talk/say to me
• Appeal to me
• Be good to me
• Belong to me
• I'm looking forward to seeing you
• Give/send/write/it to you
• I got used to it
• I work from 9 to 5. From me to you
• It's 10 to 5. (4:50)

• Drive/run/cycle/ride/walk to school
• Travel/fly/to Europe
• Go to school / work
• Go to bed
• Go to the park
• Go to the airport
• Go to London

• Where are you going to?
• What are you listening to?

Because it is incorrect for us to start a complete question with TO WHERE / TO WHAT. So, to is at the end.

• Before possessive pronouns: mine/ yours/ hers / ours/ theirs /its.

I"m going to my cottage now; you go to yours.

In these cases, it’s the other way around: the preposition to is not used, no matter how much one would like. Either there is another pretext, or none at all:

1. The preposition to is not placed before subjective pronouns: to I/he/she/we/they.
2. .
   • Go home
   • Go abroad
   • Go upstairs/downstairs
   • Go bowling/fishing/skiing
   • Go insane/ nuts
   • Go on holiday
   • Go for it
   • Visit London
   • Arrive at the airport
   • Depend on my mood
   • Answer my question
   • Hear me
   • Tell me
   • Spend my money on book
   • Influence me
   • Address me
   • Attend classes
   • Follow me
   • Regret it

In order not to miss new useful materials,

I have already written about this impersonal form of the verb in English earlier. The article is called " ". I recommend reading it first as it helps you get a general idea of ​​the infinitive. Let me remind you that an infinitive is an indefinite form of a verb. The standard form of the infinitive in English is formed using the base (dictionary) form, which is preceded by the particle to. But there are a certain number of cases where it is used without this particle. Here we are already talking about such a concept as “naked infinitive” - bare infinitive. To clearly articulate when we need infinitive with particle to , and when without it, I write this article.

But before we move directly to listing these cases, I would like to repeat what forms the English infinitive can have (using the example of the verb to leave– leave, leave):

1. Present Active– (to) leave
   

   I am ready to see him now. – I’m ready to see him now (present)

   George wants to find a new job next month. – George wants to find a new job next month (future)

2. Present Passive– (to) be left
   

   She expects to be presented a special gift on the anniversary. She is expecting a special gift for her anniversary.

   He hopes to be invited to his daughter's wedding. He hopes to be invited to his daughter’s wedding.

3. Present Continuous Active– (to) be leaving
   

   My mother seems to be painting the walls. “I think my mother is painting the walls.”

   They seem to be building a house. - It seems they are building a house.

4. Perfect Active– (to) have left
   

   He claims to have infected with flu about 10 people. – He states that he infected about ten people with the flu.

   I seem to have made a short film. – I think I made a short film.

5. Perfect Passive– (to) have been left
   

   A famous journalist is said to have been killed in Egypt. – They say that a famous journalist was killed in Egypt.

   The unique painting is said to have been sold for $20 millions. – They say that the famous painting was sold for 20 million dollars.

6. Perfect Continuous– (to) have been leaving
   

   Courtney claims to have been working for this company for 3 years. – Courtney states that she has been working for this company for three years.

   They are known to have been developing a new medicine for several years. – It is known that they have been developing a new drug for several years.

Infinitive with the particle to

So, we move on to the main topic of this article. I would like to list the cases when it is necessary to use the standard form of the infinitive with a particle to. This particle will appear before the infinitive if:

1. We express a purpose defined by an infinitive verb.
   

   She returned home to ask for some extra money. “She returned home to ask for more money.

   We are leaving in ten minutes to catch the train to London. We are leaving in 10 minutes to catch the train to London.

2. The infinitive will follow the following verbs: advise, agree, appear, decide, expect, hope, manage, offer, promise, refuse, seem, want, afford, pretend and etc.
   

   He offered me to stay at home instead of going out. – Instead of going somewhere, he invited me to stay at home.

   Why did you refuse to conduct these negotiations? – Why did you refuse to negotiate?

3. Before the infinitive there is a combination “definite verb +”. The list of words acts as certain verbs: know, decide, ask, learn, remember and etc.
   

   She wants to know why you decided to spend your vacation abroad. – She wants to know why you decided to spend your holidays abroad.

   I explained how to use the new washing-machine. – I explained how to use the new washing machine.

   By the way, if a sentence has two infinitives with the particle to, which are connected by English unions and, or, particle to before the second one can be omitted.

   I didn't decide where to go and stay. – I haven’t decided where to go or where to stay.

   My boss explained how to write an article and take photos. – My boss explained how to write an article and take photographs.

4. The infinitive is used after such as glad, nice, happy, sorry, willing, afraid, ashamed and etc.
   

   I am willing to overlook your mistakes, but I can’t do this. “I want to ignore your mistakes, but I can’t do that.”

   It's nice to see you again. - Nice to see you again.

5. It is preceded by:
   

   My friend is too shy to take the initiative in acquainting with people. – My friend is too shy to take the initiative when meeting people.

   I've got enough money to buy a flat downtown. – I have enough money to buy an apartment in the city center.

6. We make a proposal based on the design " it+be+adjective" (+ of+ or ).
   

   It was nice of him to tell the truth about his past. “It’s very good that he told the truth about his past.”

   It's important to receive all necessary books before we start our lessons. – It is important that all the necessary books arrive before we start studying.

7. It is accompanied by the expression would like / would love / would prefer. Each of them implies that someone would like to do something.
   

   I would like to move to London. - I would like to move to London.

   I would prefer to go by car. – I would prefer to go by car.

8. There is a word in the sentence only, which helps express dissatisfaction with some result or event.
   

   She went to work only to meet her angry boss. She went to work only to meet with an angry boss.

   I rushed to the railway station just to make sure that the train had already left. “I rushed to the station only to make sure that the train had already left.

9. We use it after such nouns and pronouns as something, somewhere, anyone, nothing. This is usually how we show that something is necessary or possible.
   

   Let's give them something to talk about. - Let's give them something to talk about.

   Take something to eat on our trip. - Take some food for the road.

10. The sentence contains a combination be+the first / the second, etc. / next / last / best and etc.
    

    You were the first to congratulate me with my birthday. – You were the first to congratulate me on my birthday.

    I am the next to choose where to go on holidays. – Next I choose where to go on vacation.

Infinitive without particle to

Cases in which we use infinitive without particle to , that is bare infinitive, far less. But you definitely need to know them. You don't want to make grammatical errors in this topic, do you? So we use the bare infinitive after:

1. ( , , , , etc). The exception is modal verbs / / / which are used with the infinitive with to.
   

   We should tell our parents about the party. – We should tell our parents about the party.

   He must apologize for his words. “He must apologize for his words.”

   She ought to be more polite to other people. “She should be more polite to people.”

2. After verbs let, make, see, hear, feel.
   

   We saw them kiss. “We saw them kissing.”

   I won't let her marry without my blessing. “I won’t let her get married without my blessing.”

   But, if these verbs are used in, they are accompanied by an infinitive with a particle to.

   He was heard to say either he was trying to kill someone or someone was trying to kill him. “They heard him say that either he was trying to kill someone or someone was trying to kill him.”

3. After expressions / would rather.
   

   You'd better sit down. - You better sit down.

   I'd rather go to jail than serve in the military. “I would rather go to prison than serve in the armed forces.”

4. In interrogative sentences that begin with the words Why not? (why not).
   

   Why not go to the cinema? – Why not go to the cinema?

At first it may seem that there is no end to the information here! But actually it is not. While learning English, you somehow come across the mentioned verbs, phrases, constructions, and remember which infinitive goes with them in a complex. Here is just a list of situations that may come your way. Don't be confused!

​

Test

Using the infinitive with the particle to and without the particle to

The infinitive in English can be used either with or without the particle to. Today we will consider the rules for using the infinitive in English. You might also want to check out the articles

Using the infinitive with the particle to

The infinitive with the particle to is used in the following cases:

• after certain verbs, for example:

Greg can't afford to go on holiday. - Greg can't afford to go on holiday.

Molly offered to help me with English. – Molly offered to help me with English.

I decided to take part in the contest. – I decided to take part in the competition.

Attention: Some of these verbs require an object before the infinitive:

Sarah allowed me to use her mobile phone. Sarah let me use her mobile phone.

I want you to check the test before you hand it in. – I want you to double-check the test before you take it.

• after the following adjectives in the predicative function

I"m surprised to see you here. - I'm surprised to see you here.

It"s necessary to attend classes regularly. - It is necessary to attend classes regularly.

• The infinitive with the particle to is used after nouns, indefinite pronouns, ordinal numbers and the adjective last. In these cases, the infinitive is used as a definition:

Not a good man to deal with. “He's a good enough person to deal with.”

I see you have nothing to do. - I see you have nothing to do.

She was the first to answer my question. She was the first to answer my question.

I was the last to speak. – I was the last one to speak.

• with an infinitive as an object, preceded by a question word:

I don't know how to say it. - I do not know how to say it.

I haven’t decided yet what subject to take. – I haven’t decided yet which subject to choose.

• with an infinitive as a function of the adverbial purpose (to = in order to):

Read more English books to have a better command of the language. – Read more books to improve your language skills.

• in the c too and enough constructions:

She is too small to go to school. - She is too young to go to school.

She is wise enough to solve our problem. “She is wise enough to solve our problems.”

• after modal verbs:

Did you have to wait long? – Did you have to wait long?

We are to do this exercise orally. – We must do this exercise orally.

You ought to be more responsible. – You must be more responsible.

• after the verb used in the construction:

When I was a child I used to spend my holiday at my granny's. - When I was a child, I used to spend my holidays with my grandmother.

• in design:

What are you going to do after leaving school? — What are you going to do after finishing school?

• after would like, would love, etc.

Would you like to join us? — Would you like to join us?

Infinitive without the particle to.

The infinitive without the particle to is used in the following cases:

• after, except have to, be to, ought to:

May I take your pen? – Can I take your pen?

You needn"t worry about trifling things. – You don’t need to worry about trifling things.

• after verbs of sensory perception see, hear, notice, watch, feel;

I felt somebody touch my shoulder. “I felt someone touch my shoulder.

The smell of the pie made my mouth water. “The smell of the pie made me drool.”

• The infinitive without the particle to is used after the verbs let, make, help (in the “complex object” construction):

Let me count it first. “Let me count it first.”

I can't make him believe me. “I can’t make him believe me.”

note, in a passive construction the infinitive will be used with the particle to.

He was made to do this. - He was forced to do it.

• after modal expressions would rather, had better:

I'd rather send for a doctor. - I'd better send for the doctor.

You"d better make a cup of strong tea. - You better make a cup of strong tea.

• in the colloquial construction Why not do smth:

Why not cheer them up? - Why not cheer them up?

Let's check how well you understand this topic. Do the following exercise.

Exercise on using the infinitive with or without the particle to.

Exercise 1. Use the infinitive with or without the particle to

1. You ought... (make) more of an effort at school.
2. You are not allowed... (walk) on the grass here.
3. I can hardly... (wait)... (see) you!
4. There’s no need... (rush) — just take your time.
5. It’s difficult... (read) English books in the original.
6. The soup is too hot... (eat). You'd better... (cool) it a bit.
7. It’s nearly 8. You are going ... (miss) your lesson.
8. I must... (return) the book to the library as soon as I have read it.
9. You'd better (stop)... quarrelling now.
10. It's kind of you... (help) us.
11. You have ... (be) a pretty good cook ... (get) a job as a chef.
12. Why not... (join) them? We could... (have) a lot of fun there.
13. I have never heard him... (say) anything of the kind.
14. Are you strong enough... (lift) that box?
15. She is thoughtful enough... (send) us a greetings card.
16. I’d like you... (think) it over first.
17. It usually takes me an hour... (write) an essay.
18. Let me... (close) the door, shall I?
19. They can’t afford... (buy) a car.
20. I’d rather... (let) the children... (decide) for themselves.
21. They can hardly make both ends... (meet).
22. I showed them how... (use) the computer.

1 to make, 2 to walk, 3 wait to see, 4 to rush, 5 to read, 6 to eat / cool, 7 to miss, 8 return, 9 stop, 10 to help, 11 to be / to get, 12 join / have, 13 say, 14 to lift, 15 to send, 16 to think, 17 to write, 18 close, 19 to buy, 20 let/ decide, 21 meet, 22 to use

The infinitive in English is one of the most important verb forms that can serve many different functions. In Russian there is only one form for the infinitive, while in English there are six of them: four in the active voice, two in the passive voice. Beginners, as a rule, make do with the simplest of them, while professionals and simply advanced students happily master the more complex ones, using them in sentences with more intricate meanings.

This article, starting with the simplest and ending with the most difficult, will examine all six infinitives in the English language, the functions and structure of their use.

General definition of the infinitive

The infinitive in English corresponds to the infinitive form of the verb in Russian. He denotes an action without naming a number or a person, and answers the questions “What should I do?” and/or “What should I do?” The infinitive is also called the initial or dictionary form of the verb, since if you look up the meaning or translation of the word in the dictionary, it will give exactly this form.

A distinctive feature of all verbs in the infinitive form is the particle to.

1. I like to read. - I enjoy reading.
2. We want to help. - We want to help.

The use of an infinitive in English without this particle is possible, but in very rare cases. For example, after some modal verbs, or if the infinitive functions as a complex object.

1. You must do your homework! - You must do your homework!
2. I saw him open the window. - I saw him open the window.

As examples show, when translating into Russian, the presence or absence of the particle to does not matter.

Simple infinitive in active voice

It is used when it is necessary to show that the subject is performing an action at the same time as that action is reported, or will perform it later. To form a simple infinitive in the active voice, just add the particle to to the verb. In an example in sentences, this indefinite form looks like this:

1. They want to invite us to John's birthday party, but we won't be able to come. - They want to invite us to John's birthday party, but we won't be able to come.
2. I wish to travel to California, because it is warm and beautiful there. - I dream of going on a trip to California because it is warm and beautiful there.

In both cases, the actions described by the infinitive will occur after they have been announced: no one has been invited to the birthday party yet, but they only want to. And no one travels to California yet, but only dreams.

Simple infinitive in passive voice

The time relations in this case are the same, only the action is performed not by the object itself, but on it. To form this form of the infinitive, you need to add to be the past participle of the verb you are looking for. For example:

1. I want this project to be finished. - I want to finish this project.
2. We all like to be told compliments and given presents. - We all love it when people give us compliments and gifts.

In both cases, the subject does not perform the action expressed by the infinitive: the project is not completed, compliments are not given, and gifts are not given themselves. This is why the voice is called passive or passive.

Continuous infinitive in active voice

The rule of infinitives in English states that the continuous infinitive is used almost on the same principle as the simple one, with the only difference being that it requires an indication of duration. With its help, actions are expressed that began earlier, but have not ended yet, or those that will begin and will continue for some time in the future.

To form a continuous infinitive in the active voice, you need to add to be the desired verb ending in -ing. For example:

1. She have to be working now, but she will finish her work soon. - Right now she most likely has to work, but she will finish her work soon.
2. My best wish is to be sleeping for more then six hours per day, but I"m too busy and have no time to rest for so much time. - My deepest desire is to sleep more than six hours a day, but I'm too busy and don't have time to rest for that long.

In the first case, the action occurs simultaneously with how it is reported: it works while someone talks about it. In the second case, the action will probably happen in the future.

Perfect infinitive in active voice

This grammatical construction is used when we need to talk about an action that was completed before it was reported. To form it, use to have, adding to it the past participle of the desired verb. In an example it looks like this:

I wish to have read this book till the end by now, but I haven't finished it yet. - I would like to read this book all the way by this time, but I haven't finished it yet.

Perfect infinitive in passive voice

To form this form, you need to use to have been, adding to it the desired verb in the past participle form. Like the previous one, it refers to the past tense, but implies that the action was performed not by the object itself, but on it:

I hope the room has been cleared up! - I hope the room is cleaned!

The room mentioned in this sentence must be cleaned before the author of the statement reports it, and not in the future or at the moment. And it does not remove itself - the action is performed on the object.

Perfect continuous infinitive in active voice

This version of the infinitive in English is used much less frequently than others due to its somewhat cumbersome nature and the abundance of auxiliary verbs. To form it, you need to add the present participle of the desired verb to the construction to have been.

The perfect continuous infinitive is used to describe an action that has already been completed and has been going on for some time:

I know him to have been working as the headmaster of the school for five years until he was fired. - I know that he worked as a school principal for five years before he was fired.

This sentence contains an indication of duration (for five years) and elapsed time (before he was fired).

Summing up

There are many ways to master this topic. Exercises on infinitives in English are far from the only way. You can search for and write down examples of the use of the indefinite form of the verb from fiction, compose sentences yourself, translate from English into Russian and vice versa.

For those preparing to take the exam, it will be very useful to know all six described variants of the infinitive in English. For those who are trying to master it at an intermediate level, for example, to go on holiday abroad, it will be enough to master at least the first three of them, because the functions of the infinitive in English are difficult, and sometimes impossible, to replace with other grammatical constructions.