English grammar Infinitives without TO

English grammar Infinitives without TO 

In a previous lesson I showed you how to use the infinitive with ‘TO’. In this lesson you will learn how we use infinitives without ‘TO’.

We can also call this structure the Bare Infinitive. 

Knowing how to use infinitives correctly is difficult for many English learners because there are many different patterns. 

In order to speak perfect English, you will need to know how to use this English grammar structure. 

When do we need to use infinitives without TO?

Well, we use this structure:

After modals

Examples: 

• I must go and get a haircut. 
• You shouldn’t tell people what to do
• Anything you can do I can do better. 
• He might be the greatest football player in Brazil.

With certain verbs (See, hear, feel, watch, etc)

Examples:

• I saw him steal the car. 
• I hear you want to get a promotion. 
• We don’t let the children play video games during the week. 

After AND, OR, BUT, THAN, AS, LIKE

Examples:

• Do you want to come with us to the cinema tonight or stay at home?
• I’d prefer to do something else like play cards. 

After WHY and WHY NOT

Examples:

• Why call when you send them an email?
• Why not try doing it yourself. 
• So, as you can see, using the infinitive without ‘to, or the bare infinitive, is easy as long as you remember the rules. 

Try more of my lesson at curious.com

Would you like to practice? Try the bare infinitive quiz below.