Infinitives look like verbs, but they actually
function as nouns. Consider the following sentences:
- I like pizza. ("pizza" is a noun)
- I like to eat. ("to eat" is an infinitive)
- I like to eat pizza. ("pizza" is the object
of the infinitive)
Infinitives can be made with just about any verb: to
do, to be, to go, to make, to take, to see, to get--as long as you
use the simple form of the verb. Infinitives can't be used
with past tense or continuous forms:
to went, to going
Verbs such as need and want often
use the infinitive:
- Q: What do you want to
do today?
- A: I want to go to the park.
- Q: Is there something you need to
get at
the store?
- A: Yes, I need to
get some milk.
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