When learning English grammar, the bare infinitive is one of the key concepts that can sometimes be confusing. What is it? Why do we use it? And how is it different from other types of infinitives? Let’s dive into the world of bare infinitives and make everything crystal clear.
What Is the Bare Infinitive?
In simple terms, a bare infinitive is a verb in its basic form without the word “to” in front of it. For example:
I can dance.
She will go to the market.
In these sentences, “dance” and “go” are bare infinitives because they appear without “to.” This is different from the full or “to-infinitive” form, like:
I want to dance.
She plans to go to the market.
The bare infinitive is essentially the root form of the verb—the version you would find in the dictionary (without “to” or other endings like -s, -ing, or -ed). For example, in the verb “run,” the bare infinitive is simply “run.”
Differences Between Bare and Full Infinitives
| Bare Infinitive | Full Infinitive (To-Infinitive) |
|---|---|
| It is used without “to” | It includes “to” before the verb |
| Example: I will eat dinner. | Example: I want to eat dinner. |
| It’s often used with modal verbs or after certain verbs like “make,” “let,” and “help.” | It’s used to express purpose, intention, or after some verbs like “want,” “need,” and “hope.” |
When Do We Use the Bare Infinitive?
The bare infinitive appears in several contexts in English, especially when certain verbs or expressions are used. Below are the common situations where you’ll need to use the bare infinitive:
1. After Modal Verbs
Modal verbs like “can,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “will,” and “should” are commonly followed by the bare infinitive. These modal verbs express things like ability, permission, possibility, and obligation. Here are some examples:
She can sing.
They might go to the party.
You should leave now.
In all these examples, the verb that follows the modal verb is in its bare infinitive form.
2. After Verbs of Perception
Verbs of perception like “see,” “hear,” “feel,” and “watch” are also followed by the bare infinitive when they are used with a direct object. This construction describes an action that is perceived. Consider these examples:
I saw him leave the room.
She heard them talk about the event.
We felt the ground shake during the earthquake.
3. After the Verb “Help”
The verb “help” can be followed by either a bare infinitive or a full infinitive. However, it’s more common to see the bare infinitive form. For example:
I will help you solve the problem.
She helped me clean the house.
In both cases, “solve” and “clean” are bare infinitives, and no “to” is used.
4. After the Verb “Make”
The verb “make,” when it means “to cause” or “to force,” is often followed by a bare infinitive. Here’s how it works:
The news made me cry.
The teacher made the students apologize.
In both cases, the verb “make” is followed directly by the bare infinitive (cry, apologize) without the use of “to.”
5. After the Verb “Let”
When “let” means “allow,” it’s typically followed by a bare infinitive. For instance:
They let me borrow the car.
She let us stay for dinner.
Just like “make,” the verb “let” does not require “to” before the verb that follows it.
6. With Expressions like “Had Better” and “Would Rather”
Certain expressions such as “had better” and “would rather” require a bare infinitive. These are used to suggest actions, express preferences, or make recommendations:
We had better leave now.
She would rather stay at home tonight.
Additional Rules for Using the Bare Infinitive
After “why” in questions and negative commands: You might ask, “Why go there?” or say, “Don’t make me do this.”
With “let” and “make” in causative constructions: For example, “She made him apologize,” where “apologize” is the bare infinitive.
Bare Infinitive in Reported Speech
In reported speech, a bare infinitive can be used when reporting commands, requests, or suggestions. For example:
She told me to stop talking. (Full infinitive)
She let me go. (Bare infinitive)
This highlights the difference between the use of full and bare infinitives depending on the reporting verb.
How Bare Infinitives Are Different from Full Infinitives
As mentioned earlier, the bare infinitive is simply the base form of the verb, while the full infinitive includes “to” before the verb. The choice between using a bare infinitive or a full infinitive largely depends on the verb or expression used in the sentence.
Full Infinitive: More Common in Expressing Purpose
Full infinitives are more commonly used when expressing purpose or intention. For example:
She went to the store to buy groceries.
He studied hard to pass the exam.
In these sentences, the full infinitive “to buy” and “to pass” indicate the purpose of the actions.
Bare Infinitive: A More Direct Action
On the other hand, the bare infinitive focuses more on the action itself, often with auxiliary verbs or causative verbs that don’t require “to.”
Quick Comparison Table: Bare vs. Full Infinitive
| Bare Infinitive | Full Infinitive (To-Infinitive) |
|---|---|
| Used after modal verbs | Used to express purpose or intention |
| Used after perception verbs | Used after certain verbs like “want,” “hope” |
| Follows verbs like “make,” “let” | Expresses a goal or purpose of the action |
| Example: I will go. | Example: I want to go. |
How to Identify the Bare Infinitive
Recognizing the bare infinitive in a sentence is quite simple once you know what to look for. It is the verb in its simplest form, with no auxiliary verb “to” attached, and it always follows specific patterns. Let’s break down some additional examples:
She might visit us soon.
Here, “visit” is the bare infinitive following the modal verb “might.”You must speak clearly.
“Speak” follows the modal verb “must,” making it a bare infinitive.I’ll help you carry the groceries.
In this case, “carry” follows the verb “help” and is a bare infinitive.
Why is the Bare Infinitive Important?
The bare infinitive plays a crucial role in expressing different aspects of mood, modality, and necessity in English. Using the bare infinitive appropriately not only makes your writing more fluent and grammatically correct but also ensures that you are conveying meaning with precision.
For example, modal verbs like “can” or “should” allow the speaker to express ability or advice, respectively. By using the bare infinitive, we emphasize the core action, allowing for a clearer expression of the message.
Bare Infinitive After “Would Rather” and “Had Better”
We’ve already mentioned the use of bare infinitives after expressions like “would rather” and “had better.” These expressions imply preferences or suggestions, and they require the verb that follows to be in its base form.
Here’s a deeper look:
I would rather eat pizza than pasta.
In this sentence, “eat” is the bare infinitive following “would rather.”You had better leave now if you want to catch the bus.
Again, “leave” is the bare infinitive after “had better.”
These expressions are often used to recommend or suggest something to others. The lack of “to” keeps the sentence direct and to the point.
Bare Infinitive After “Let” and “Make”
The verbs “let” and “make” often confuse English learners because they both take the bare infinitive without the preposition “to.” Understanding the subtle difference between these two verbs will help you use them correctly.
She lets her children play outside.
“Play” is the bare infinitive because it follows the verb “let,” which implies permission.The manager made him apologize for being late.
Here, “apologize” is the bare infinitive following “make,” which conveys the idea of causing someone to do something.
The key difference is that “let” indicates permission, while “make” indicates compulsion or causation.
Usage in Negative Sentences
In negative sentences, the bare infinitive is used in the same way as in affirmative ones, but it follows the negative auxiliary verb “do” in some cases. Here’s how it works:
I do not want to go to the party. (Full infinitive)
He does not know what to do. (Full infinitive)
I cannot speak French. (Bare infinitive)
In the first two examples, the infinitive is in the full form with “to,” but in the last one, “speak” is the bare infinitive because it follows “can’t.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though the use of bare infinitives might seem straightforward, many learners make mistakes when using them. Below are some common errors to watch out for:
1. Using the Full Infinitive Instead of the Bare Infinitive
One common mistake is mistakenly using a full infinitive (with “to”) where a bare infinitive should be used. For example:
Incorrect: She can to help you.
Correct: She can help you.
The verb “can” requires the bare infinitive, so the “to” should be omitted.
2. Overuse of “To” After Certain Verbs
Some verbs like “make” and “let” are often followed by the bare infinitive, but learners sometimes mistakenly add “to” after these verbs:
Incorrect: She made me to apologize.
Correct: She made me apologize.
Remember, verbs like “make” and “let” do not require “to” before the following verb in most cases.
3. Forgetting to Use the Bare Infinitive After Modal Verbs
Another common error is failing to use the bare infinitive after modal verbs like “can,” “must,” “should,” and “will.” Here’s an example:
Incorrect: He will to study harder next time.
Correct: He will study harder next time.
Modal verbs always require the base form of the verb (bare infinitive) without “to.”
How to Practice Using the Bare Infinitive
The best way to get comfortable with using bare infinitives is through practice. You can:
Write sentences using modal verbs, perception verbs, and causative verbs like “let” and “make.”
Identify the bare infinitives in English texts or books you read.
Take quizzes and grammar exercises focused on the use of infinitives.
With practice, you will start to feel more confident using bare infinitives in both written and spoken English.
Differences Between Bare Infinitives and Gerunds
An important distinction to understand is the difference between bare infinitives and gerunds (verbs ending in -ing that function as nouns). In many cases, English speakers must decide whether to use a gerund or an infinitive form. Here’s a brief look at the difference:
Bare Infinitive: Used for actions, especially with modals or causative verbs.
Example: She can sing beautifully.Gerund: Used to describe general actions or when a verb acts as a noun.
Example: I enjoy singing.
In sentences with modals and causative verbs like “make” or “let,” the bare infinitive is always preferred, as it focuses on the core action. Gerunds are used in other contexts where the action is more abstract or general.
The Role of Bare Infinitives in Spoken English
While formal writing may seem more structured, spoken English tends to feature more bare infinitives, especially in casual conversations. The bare infinitive’s brevity and directness help keep the conversation flowing smoothly. Here are a few ways it enhances spoken English:
Clarity: Removing unnecessary words (like “to”) makes the sentence clear and quick.
Ease of Use: Bare infinitives, especially with modal verbs, are easier and faster to use in fast-paced dialogue.
For example:
Can you help me carry this?
vs. Can you help me to carry this? (Less natural in spoken English)I will call you tomorrow.
vs. I will to call you tomorrow. (Incorrect)
The first sentence is more natural in everyday conversations.
Conclusion: Mastering the Bare Infinitive
In summary, the bare infinitive is an essential tool for English learners, enabling them to construct sentences that are not only grammatically correct but also concise and direct. From modals to perception verbs and causative verbs like “make” and “let,” knowing when to use the bare infinitive will help you sound more fluent and natural in your speech and writing.
While the rules may seem a bit overwhelming at first, with practice, you will become comfortable using bare infinitives in various contexts, from casual conversations to complex sentence constructions.