Grammar-Quizzes › Verb Phrases › Verb Complements › Infinitives
Infinitives (infinitivals, secondary verbs, nonfinite clauses)
Summary of Practices
Infinitive Diagnostic: identify specific points that need review
This is a grammar diagnostic page with study links.
Quiz 1: beginning – intermediate
Quiz 2: intermediate – advanced
Infinitive as Subject: refer to activities, quotes and definitions
Beginning– Advanced ESL; Native Speakers
To be or not to be. That is the question.
laugh —to express mirth, pleasure or amusement (a dictionary entry)
Verbs w/Infinitive Complements: express desire or intent to do an activity
Beginning– Intermediate ESL
Verbs with Infinitive Complements
Bare Infinitives—Dare, Need, Help
Double "-ing" or "to" Forms in Sequence
Grammar Notes (show-hide arrow)
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – multiple choice
Practice 3 – edit
Edward needs to get help. (infinitive clause)
Ed needs [Ed get some help]. (subclause)
He helped [to] get the work done.
Ed doesn't want us to help.
Ed wants us not to help.
Infinitive Cls w/Subj: take action vs. express desire for someone else to do an activity
Beginning– Intermediate ESL
Similar but Different Pronouns
Bare Infinitives (omit "to")
Common Mistakes (show-hide arrow)
Practice – complete sentence (MC)
Ed needs [for Ed] to get some help.
Ed needs [(for) me to get some help.
Ed intended [Frida to do the portrait].
Ed persuaded Frida [to do the portrait].
Ed made Frida do the portrait.
Ed helped Frida (to) do the portrait.
Command Verbs w/Infinitives: Impose will on (command) other people to do things
Intermediate– Advanced ESL
The judge ordered John to leave.
The judge ordered that John leave. (Verb uses base form, no -s.)
Get to vs. Go to: express opportunity vs. intent ("get" before an infinitive)
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice – multiple choice
Today, I get to go to a birthday party next door. (lucky situation)
I am going to go¹ to my neighbor's birthday party. (intent)
It takes + Infinitive: express how much is needed ("It takes" before an infinitive)
Beginning– Intermediate ESL
It takes ten minutes to get ready in the morning. (anyone)
It takes Jill ten minutes to get ready in the morning.
It takes ten minutes for her to get ready in the morning.
Too / Enough + Infininitive: state minimum and maximum requirements
Intermediate ESL
She is too young to drive.
She is old enough to drive.
"Be" Adj + Infinitive: express feelings and reactions
Beginning– Intermediate ESL
Practice 1 – complete sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – complete sentence (MC)
We were happy to hear the good news.
"It is" Adj/Noun + Infinitive: express opinion or advice
Intermediate ESL
It is [adjective] that… vs. for you to…
It is [adjective] that… (list)
It is [adjective] for you to… (list)
Practice 1 – complete sentence (MD)
Practice 2 – correct/incorrect
Practice 3 – edit sentences
It's a good idea to put on a lab coat.
It's a good idea for us to put on our lab coats.
It's hard for us to know when a rat will get loose.
"In order" + Infinitive: state purpose
Beginning–Advanced ESL
Practice 1 – complete sentence
Practice 2 – complete paragraph (Adv).
The doctor operated in order to save his patient's life.
The doctor operated so that they could save his patient's life..
Infinitives Context: identify infinitives
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice – multiple choice
I want to explore.
I just want to do my best.
Finite / Nonfinite: recognize two clause categories (with primary and secondary verbs)
Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
Nonfinite Clause–Gerund-Participle
Nonfinite Clause–Past Participle
Practice 1- identify verb category
Practice 2- identify nonfinite clauses
Practice 3- identify verb form type
The children helped Charlie raise the flag.
Charlie wants to raise his hand.
Charlie likes raising his hand.
The flag raised on the pole waved in the wind.
Nonfinite Clause—Timing & Voice: express earlier or later timing in infinitive and gerund clauses
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
Practice 1 – Complete with correct form (MC)
Practice 2 – Correct or Incorrect?
Practice 3 – Edit (recognize and correct errors)
Jack seems to have left the door unlocked. (earlier)
He should have known better. (earlier)
Jack remembers having left in a hurry. (earlier)
He admits to being preoccupied. (same time)
He was told to lock the door. (same time)
He plans to double-check the door before leaving. (later)
Splitting Verbs: examine the positioning of adverbs
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Grammar Notes (show-hide arrow)
Practice – multiple choice
I will faithfully execute the office of president...
I will execute faithfully the office of president...