Mastering the Infinitive in English Grammar
Using the Infinitive
A. With Verbs
Following these verbs:
- Afford
- Agree
- Appear
- Attempt
- Decide
- Expect
- Fail
- Forget
- Help
- Hope
- Intend
- Learn
- Manage
- Need
- Offer
- Plan
- Prepare
- Promise
- Propose
- Refuse
- Seem
- Want
- Would like
Example: I learned to swim last summer. We have decided to go to London in July.
B. With Adjectives and Adverbs
Examples:
- It’s early to go to bed.
- I was too tired to go for a walk.
- The police were not fast enough to catch the thief.
C. With an Object
Verbs followed by an object + infinitive:
- Advise
- Allow
- Ask
- Enable
- Encourage
- Expect
- Forbid
- Force
- Help
- Invite
- Order
- Permit
- Persuade
- Prefer
- Recommend
- Remind
- Teach
- Tell
- Want
- Warn
- Would like
Examples: The teacher asked the student to be quiet. I’d like them to behave better. She advised me to go to the dentist.
Structuring an Opinion Paragraph
Organizing Ideas: Firstly, first of all, secondly… Also, besides, furthermore, in addition, what’s more. To conclude, to sum up, in conclusion.
Paragraph 1: Expose the situation in your country and express your opinions.
Paragraphs 2 & 3: Develop the main idea, explain the consequences of possible problems and solutions, use connectors, and express your opinion.
Paragraph 4: Summarize your opinion.
Writing a Discussion Text
Expressions: Consequently, for example, so, therefore.
Adding Ideas: Another reason is, in addition, moreover, such as.
Expressing Contrast: However, on the other hand.
Paragraph 1: Introduction.
Paragraph 2: Expose arguments in favor of the subsection.
Paragraph 3: Arguments against, using the 2nd conditional.
Paragraph 4: Summarize conclusions from another point of view and give your own opinion.
Reported Speech
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| Present Simple (is typing) | Past Simple (was typing) |
| Present Continuous (am going) | Past Continuous (was going) |
| Future Simple (will) | Conditional Simple (would) |
| Past Simple (typed) | Past Perfect (had typed) |
| Present Perfect (have missed) | Past Perfect (had missed) |
| Can | Could |
| May | Might |
| Must | Had to |
| Should/Ought to | Should/Ought to |
Time Expressions: now -> then, today -> that day, yesterday -> the day before/the previous day, tomorrow -> the next day/the following day, here -> there, this/these -> that/those.
Examples:
- “Tim wants some coffee” -> He said that Tim wanted some coffee.
- “I’m washing my hair” -> She said that she was washing her hair.
- “Helen has lost her wallet” -> He said that Helen had lost her wallet.
- “Kate took my keys” -> He said that Kate had taken his keys.
- “I will be late” -> She said that she would be late.
Passive Voice in Reported Speech
- “It’s broken” -> It was said to be broken.
- “It has been broken” -> It was said to have been broken.