The infinitive function

The infinitive - Function

The most common uses of the infinitive are:

To indicate the purpose or intention of an action (where the ´to´ has the same meaning as ´in order to´ or 'so as to'):

She´s gone to collect her pay cheque.

The three bears went into the forest to find firewood.

As the subject of the sentence:

To be or not to be, that is the question.

To know her is to love her.

(Note: this is more common in written English than spoken)

With nouns or pronouns, to indicate what something what something can be used for, or what is to be done with it:

Would you like something to drink?

I haven´t anything to wear.

The children need a garden to play in.

After adjectives in these patterns:

It is + adjective + to-infinitive.

It is a good talk.

It is + adjective + infinitive + for someone + to-infinitive.

It is hard for elephants to see mice.

It is + adjective + infinitive + of someone + to-infinitive.

It is unkind of her to say that.

After an adjective + noun when a comment or judgement is bein made:

It was a stupid place to park the car.

This is the right thing to do.

It was an astonishing way to behave.

With too and enough in these patterns:

too much/many (+ noun) + to-infinitve.

There´s too much sugar to put in this bowl.

I had too many books to carry.

Too + adjective + to-infinitive:

This soup is too hot to eat.

She was too tired to work.

Too + adverb + to-infinitive:

He arrived too late to see the actors.

Enough (+ noun) + to-infinitive:

I´ve had enough (food) to eat.

Adjective + enough + to-infinitive:

She´s old enough to make up her own mind.

Not enough (+ noun) + to-infinitive

There isn´t enough snow to ski on.

Not + adjective + enough _ to-infinitive

You´re not old enough to have grand-children!

See you tomorrow. Bye