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An infinitive is to plus the base form of a verb. Infinitives and infinitive phrases often substitute for nouns, performing the same functions that regular nouns do: They act as subjects, objects, and complements.
subject
To sleep a few minutes longer wouldn't hurt anything.
direct object
Carolyn expected to go to the office.
subject complement
His job was to help the other employees.
adjective complement
Carolyn was eager to try the new restaurant.
Remember that certain verbs are followed only by infinitives, some only by gerunds, and some by either infinitives or gerunds. Some verbs are followed directly by the infinitive, and some are followed by an object and the infinitive. Certain adjectives are followed by the infinitive.
An infinitive of purpose explains the purpose of an action. It often answers the question "why?"
The doctor's office was always sending out notices to get patients to make appointments.
An infinitive of purpose can also be stated in the longer form in order to. This form, however, is more formal and less common in speech and informal writing than to plus the base form.
The doctor's office was always sending out notices in order to get patients to make appointments.
Use in order not to to express a negative purpose.
She wrote a reminder to herself in order not to forget to call.
A negative purpose can also be expressed without in order.
She wrote things down not to forget them.
Be careful! Never use for directly before an infinitive of purpose.
Carolyn intended to leave that afternoon to see her mother. NOT Carolyn intended to leave that afternoon for to see her mother.
Infinitives can be used in perfect form (to have past participle). This form suggests the past in relation to some other time.
He seems to have left. (He left before now.)
He seemed to have left. (He had left before then.)
Infinitives can occur in passive form (to be or get past participle).
We expect to be paid by Friday. (Someone will pay us.)
This letter seems to have been opened already. (Someone opened it.)
When verb infinitive constructions refer to a verb mentioned earlier, it is not necessary to repeat the base form of the preceding verb. The to alone is sufficient and is understood to stand for the earlier verb. This process is called ellipsis.
A: Have you written your essay yet?
B: No, but I'm planning to this evening. (= planning to write it)
Ellipsis is also made with the to of the modal-like expressions have to, have got to, had to, ought to, be supposed to, be about to, and be able to and with the future with be going to.
A: Are you leaving right now?
B: No, but we're going to in a few minutes. We have to. (= going to leave and have to leave)
Usage note: Some native speakers of English object to splitting an infinitiveinserting modifying words between to and the verb that follows. However, split infinitives are common in English speaking and writing, even in relatively formal writing.
It takes courage to boldly go where no one has gone before.
The general rule in formal written English is to avoid splitting an infinitive unnecessarily, especially if the modifier that is inserted consists of more than one word.
The officers were ordered by the lieutenant to as quickly as possible recapture the escaped prisoner. (awkward sentence)
The officers were ordered by the lieutenant to recapture the escaped prisoner as quickly as possible. (corrected sentence)
Be careful! Avoid splitting an infinitive with not or never.
I asked you not (never) to do that. NOT I asked you to not or never do that.
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