🗺️ INFINITIVES GRAMMAR MAP

TO-INFINITIVE (To + Base Verb)

Used after specific verbs (want, hope, decide, plan) and to express PURPOSE.

(+) Positive want to learn, decided to go, came to help

(-) Negative decided not to go

(?) Question Do you want to come?

BARE INFINITIVE (Base Verb without To)

Used after modal verbs (can, could, should, must, will) and let / make.

(+) Positive can swim, must go, let him leave, make me laugh

(-) Negative must not leave

(?) Question Can you help me?

1. Form & Structure

Common Verbs taking To-Infinitive vs Bare Infinitive

Verbs + To-Infinitive: want, hope, decide, plan, promise, offer, refuse, agree, learn, manage
Infinitive of Purpose: I went to the store to buy milk. (Why did you go? → To buy milk)
Modal Verbs + Bare Infinitive: can, could, should, must, will, may, might
Let / Make + Object + Bare Infinitive: Let me go. She made him cry.

Example / Question	Positive / Short Answer	Negative / Short Answer
Purpose: Why go to shop?	I went to buy food.	Not: for buy / for buying
After Modal: Should	You should study.	Not: You should to study

2. Key Rules & Formation

Rule	Base / Standard Form	Applied Form
Expressing Purpose Rule	Use "to + V1" (NOT "for + V1" or "for + V-ing") when stating the purpose of an action!	I came here to learn English (NOT "for learn English")

3. Practical Usage & Examples

1. Expressing Intentions & Goals

Tell someone what you plan to do or why you performed an action.

He decided to study medicine.
I called to invite you to my party.

4. Signal Words & Usage Context

to + V1want todecide toin order tobare infinitive

Purpose Pattern:

Why? → To + Base Verb (e.g. To buy bread).

💡 Common Mistakes & Memory Tips

Mistake 1: Saying "for to buy" or "for buying" to state purpose
❌ Incorrect: I went to market for buy fruit.
✓ Correct: I went to market to buy fruit.
Note: Expressing purpose requires "to + V1".

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the negative form of to-infinitive?

Place "not" BEFORE "to": "decided NOT to go", "tried NOT to cry".

1. Form & Structure

Common Verbs taking To-Infinitive vs Bare Infinitive

Verbs + To-Infinitive: want, hope, decide, plan, promise, offer, refuse, agree, learn, manage

Infinitive of Purpose: I went to the store to buy milk. (Why did you go? → To buy milk)

Modal Verbs + Bare Infinitive: can, could, should, must, will, may, might

Let / Make + Object + Bare Infinitive: Let me go. She made him cry.

Example / Question	Positive / Short Answer	Negative / Short Answer
Purpose: Why go to shop?	I went to buy food.	Not: for buy / for buying
After Modal: Should	You should study.	Not: You should to study

2. Key Rules & Formation

Rule	Base / Standard Form	Applied Form
Expressing Purpose Rule	Use "to + V1" (NOT "for + V1" or "for + V-ing") when stating the purpose of an action!	I came here to learn English (NOT "for learn English")

Infinitives

1. Form & Structure

Common Verbs taking To-Infinitive vs Bare Infinitive

2. Key Rules & Formation

3. Practical Usage & Examples

1. Expressing Intentions & Goals

4. Signal Words & Usage Context

💡 Common Mistakes & Memory Tips

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the negative form of to-infinitive?

Infinitives

1. Form & Structure

Common Verbs taking To-Infinitive vs Bare Infinitive

2. Key Rules & Formation

3. Practical Usage & Examples

1. Expressing Intentions & Goals

4. Signal Words & Usage Context

💡 Common Mistakes & Memory Tips

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the negative form of to-infinitive?

Other Verbs lessons

Practice Exercises