The bare infinitive, the verb form without “to,” might seem simple, but its usage is governed by specific rules. A solid understanding of the bare infinitive is crucial for constructing grammatically correct and natural-sounding English sentences.
This guide provides a thorough exploration of the bare infinitive, covering its definition, structure, usage, and common errors. Whether you’re an English language learner or a native speaker looking to refine your grammar, this article will equip you with the knowledge and practice needed to confidently use the bare infinitive.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of the Bare Infinitive
- Structural Breakdown
- Categories of Bare Infinitive Usage
- Examples of Bare Infinitive Usage
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of the Bare Infinitive
The bare infinitive is the base form of a verb without the particle “to.” It is one of the fundamental verb forms in English, alongside the to-infinitive, gerund, and participles. Unlike the to-infinitive (e.g., to eat, to sleep), the bare infinitive stands alone as the verb’s simplest form (e.g., eat, sleep). Its primary function is to act as the main verb in certain grammatical constructions, particularly after modal verbs, auxiliary verbs (do, does, did), verbs of perception, and causative verbs. Understanding the bare infinitive is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences in various contexts.
The bare infinitive always appears in its simplest form. It does not conjugate to reflect tense, number, or person. This makes it straightforward to identify, but its correct usage requires careful attention to the specific verbs and expressions that govern its presence.
Structural Breakdown
The structure of a sentence using a bare infinitive typically involves a governing verb or expression followed directly by the bare infinitive. There is generally no intervening word or particle (such as “to”).
The structure can be represented as follows:
[Governing Verb/Expression] + [Bare Infinitive]
The “governing verb/expression” dictates whether a bare infinitive or another verb form is required. For example, with modal verbs like “can,” “should,” and “must,” the bare infinitive is always used. With verbs like “want” or “need,” the to-infinitive is used instead.
Consider the following examples to illustrate the structural pattern:
- Modal verb: I must study.
- Auxiliary verb: They did go.
- Verb of perception: I saw him leave.
- Causative verb: She made him apologize.
In each of these sentences, the bare infinitive immediately follows the governing verb, creating a clear and concise structure.
Categories of Bare Infinitive Usage
The bare infinitive is used in specific grammatical contexts. Knowing these contexts is crucial for using it correctly.
Here are the main categories:
After Modal Verbs
Modal verbs (also known as modal auxiliaries) are a category of auxiliary verbs that express possibility, necessity, permission, or ability. The bare infinitive always follows modal verbs. Common modal verbs include:
- can
- could
- may
- might
- must
- shall
- should
- will
- would
For example:
- I can swim.
- You should study.
- They must leave.
After Auxiliary Verbs ‘Do,’ ‘Does,’ ‘Did’
The auxiliary verbs “do,” “does,” and “did” are used to form questions, negative statements, and emphatic statements. When used in these constructions, they are followed by the bare infinitive.
For example:
- Do you speak English?
- She does not understand.
- They did go to the party.
After Verbs of Perception
Verbs of perception describe how we experience the world through our senses. Common verbs of perception include:
- see
- hear
- watch
- feel
- notice
When these verbs are followed by an object, the bare infinitive is used to describe the action that was perceived.
For example:
- I saw him leave.
- We heard the bird sing.
- She felt the ground shake.
After Causative Verbs
Causative verbs indicate that someone or something causes another person to perform an action. The most common causative verbs that take a bare infinitive are “make” and “let.” The verb “help” can take either a bare infinitive or a to-infinitive.
For example:
- She made him apologize.
- They let us go.
- He helped me carry the bags. (or He helped me to carry the bags.)
For example:
- You had better leave now.
- I would rather stay home.
- As soon as I finish, I will call you. (Note: In this case “finish” is part of a time clause and not directly linked to the “as soon as” construction as it might seem.)
For example:
- Why wait?
- Why not try?
Examples of Bare Infinitive Usage
To solidify your understanding, let’s explore a variety of examples organized by category. The following tables provide numerous examples, illustrating the different contexts in which the bare infinitive is used.
The following table demonstrates the usage of the bare infinitive after modal verbs. Note how each example uses a different modal verb followed by the base form of the verb.
| Modal Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Can | I can speak Spanish. |
| Could | She could play the piano when she was younger. |
| May | You may leave the room now. |
| Might | It might rain later. |
| Must | We must finish this project by tomorrow. |
| Shall | Shall we dance? |
| Should | You should apologize for your behavior. |
| Will | They will arrive tomorrow morning. |
| Would | I would like to travel the world. |
| Can | He can fix the car himself. |
| Could | They could have won if they had tried harder. |
| May | She may decide to stay longer. |
| Might | We might go to the beach this weekend. |
| Must | The students must wear uniforms to school. |
| Shall | Shall I open the window? |
| Should | You should eat more vegetables. |
| Will | The sun will rise in the east. |
| Would | I would appreciate your help. |
| Can | Anyone can learn a new language with dedication. |
The following table illustrates the use of the bare infinitive after the auxiliary verbs “do,” “does,” and “did” in questions, negative statements, and emphatic statements.
| Auxiliary Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Do | Do you need help? |
| Does | She does not like coffee. |
| Did | They did visit the museum last week. |
| Do | Do they live nearby? |
| Does | He does play the guitar very well. |
| Did | We did enjoy the concert. |
| Do | Do you understand the instructions? |
| Does | The cat does sleep all day. |
| Did | The children did eat all the cookies. |
| Do | Do you want to come with us? |
| Does | She does know the answer. |
| Did | He did call you yesterday. |
| Do | Do they sell books here? |
| Does | It does seem strange. |
| Did | The rain did stop eventually. |
| Do | Do you have any questions? |
| Does | The sun does shine brightly today. |
| Did | They did finish the race. |
| Do | Do you know the way? |
| Does | He does care about her. |
This table showcases the use of the bare infinitive after verbs of perception. Notice how the bare infinitive describes the action perceived by the subject.
| Verb of Perception | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| See | I saw her enter the building. |
| Hear | We heard the band play their new song. |
| Watch | They watched the children perform on stage. |
| Feel | She felt the ground tremble. |
| Notice | He noticed the bird fly away. |
| See | Did you see him leave? |
| Hear | I heard someone knock on the door. |
| Watch | We watched the sun set over the ocean. |
| Feel | She felt the wind blow through her hair. |
| Notice | He noticed the cat jump onto the fence. |
| See | They saw the accident happen. |
| Hear | I heard my neighbor sing in the shower. |
| Watch | She watched the rain fall outside. |
| Feel | He felt the baby kick. |
| Notice | We noticed the stars twinkle in the night sky. |
| See | I saw the car speed away. |
| Hear | They heard the owl hoot in the forest. |
| Watch | She watched the dancers rehearse. |
| Feel | He felt his heart race. |
| Notice | We noticed the lights flicker. |
The table below provides examples of causative verbs followed by the bare infinitive. The verbs “make” and “let” are commonly used in this construction.
| Causative Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Make | The teacher made him stay after class. |
| Let | My parents let me go to the party. |
| Help | She helped me clean the house. (or She helped me to clean the house.) |
| Make | The comedian made us laugh. |
| Let | They let the dog run in the park. |
| Help | He helped her carry her luggage. (or He helped her to carry her luggage.) |
| Make | The movie made me cry. |
| Let | The manager let us leave early. |
| Help | I helped him fix his car. (or I helped him to fix his car.) |
| Make | The loud noise made the baby wake up. |
| Let | They let the children play outside. |
| Help | She helped me understand the lesson. (or She helped me to understand the lesson.) |
| Make | The boss made them work overtime. |
| Let | We let the cat sleep on the bed. |
| Help | He helped me find my keys. (or He helped me to find my keys.) |
| Make | The strict rules made the students rebel. |
| Let | The company let employees work from home. |
| Help | She helped me improve my English. (or She helped me to improve my English.) |
| Make | The difficult situation made him think creatively. |
| Let | They let the flowers bloom in the garden. |
This final table demonstrates the use of the bare infinitive in “had better,” “would rather,” and “why” questions/suggestions.
| Expression | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Had better | You had better be on time. |
| Would rather | I would rather stay in tonight. |
| As soon as | As soon as I finish, I will call you. |
| Why | Why wait any longer? |
| Had better | We had better leave now before it gets dark. |
| Would rather | She would rather read a book than watch television. |
| As soon as | As soon as the bell rings, the students will leave the classroom. |
| Why | Why not try a different approach? |
| Had better | They had better apologize for their mistake. |
| Would rather | He would rather work from home than commute to the office. |
| As soon as | As soon as he arrives, we can start the meeting. |
| Why | Why hesitate? |
| Had better | You had better listen to your parents’ advice. |
| Would rather | I would rather drink tea than coffee. |
| As soon as | As soon as the rain stops, we will go for a walk. |
| Why | Why complain about something you can change? |
| Had better | We had better check the weather forecast before we go hiking. |
| Would rather | She would rather live in the countryside than in the city. |
| As soon as | As soon as she finishes her studies, she will travel abroad. |
| Why | Why worry about things you cannot control? |
Usage Rules
The fundamental rule is to use the bare infinitive after the specific verbs and expressions mentioned above (modal verbs, auxiliary verbs “do/does/did,” verbs of perception, causative verbs “make/let,” and expressions like “had better” and “would rather”).
Key Rules:
- Modal Verbs: Always use the bare infinitive after modal verbs.
- Auxiliary Verbs: Use the bare infinitive after “do,” “does,” and “did” when forming questions, negative statements, or emphatic statements.
- Verbs of Perception: Use the bare infinitive after verbs of perception (see, hear, watch, feel, notice) when these verbs are followed by an object.
- Causative Verbs: Use the bare infinitive after “make” and “let.” “Help” can be followed by either the bare infinitive or the to-infinitive.
- “Had Better” and “Would Rather”: These expressions are always followed by the bare infinitive.
Exceptions and Special Cases:
- “Help”: As mentioned, “help” can be followed by either the bare infinitive or the to-infinitive. Both are grammatically correct, although the bare infinitive is slightly more common in modern usage.
- Passive Voice with Verbs of Perception: In the passive voice, verbs of perception are followed by the to-infinitive, not the bare infinitive. For example: He was seen to leave the building. (Correct) vs. He was seen leave the building. (Incorrect)
Common Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes is using the to-infinitive instead of the bare infinitive after modal verbs. For example:
- Incorrect: I can to swim.
- Correct: I can swim.
Another frequent error is omitting the bare infinitive after auxiliary verbs when forming questions or negative statements:
- Incorrect: Do you like?
- Correct: Do you like it?
Below are further examples showing common mistakes with corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| She must to study. | She must study. | Modal verbs are always followed by the bare infinitive. |
| I saw him to go. | I saw him go. | Verbs of perception are followed by the bare infinitive when describing the action perceived. |
| They did went. | They did go. | “Did” is followed by the bare infinitive. |
| You had better to leave. | You had better leave. | “Had better” is followed by the bare infinitive. |
| He made me to apologize. | He made me apologize. | “Make” is followed by the bare infinitive. |
| Can you to help me? | Can you help me? | Modal verbs are always followed by the bare infinitive. |
| I heard her to sing. | I heard her sing. | Verbs of perception are followed by the bare infinitive when describing the action perceived. |
| She does not to want it. | She does not want it. | “Does not” is followed by the bare infinitive. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with the following exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb (bare infinitive or to-infinitive).
Exercise 1: Modal Verbs
Complete the sentences with the bare infinitive of the verb in parentheses.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I can _______ (swim). | 1. swim |
| 2. You should _______ (study) harder. | 2. study |
| 3. They must _______ (leave) now. | 3. leave |
| 4. We will _______ (arrive) tomorrow. | 4. arrive |
| 5. She might _______ (come) to the party. | 5. come |
| 6. He could _______ (play) the guitar. | 6. play |
| 7. Shall we _______ (dance)? | 7. dance |
| 8. I would _______ (like) to travel. | 8. like |
| 9. They can _______ (finish) the work today. | 9. finish |
| 10. You must _______ (obey) the rules. | 10. obey |
Exercise 2: Auxiliary Verbs
Complete the sentences with the bare infinitive of the verb in parentheses.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Do you _______ (need) help? | 1. need |
| 2. She does not _______ (like) coffee. | 2. like |
| 3. Did they _______ (visit) the museum? | 3. visit |
| 4. Do they _______ (sell) stamps here? | 4. sell |
| 5. He does _______ (know) the answer. | 5. know |
| 6. Did she _______ (call) you yesterday? | 6. call |
| 7. Do you _______ (understand)? | 7. understand |
| 8. It does _______ (seem) strange. | 8. seem |
| 9. Did the rain _______ (stop)? | 9. stop |
| 10. Do you _______ (have) any questions? | 10. have |
Exercise 3: Verbs of Perception
Complete the sentences with the bare infinitive of the verb in parentheses.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I saw him _______ (leave). | 1. leave |
| 2. We heard the bird _______ (sing). | 2. sing |
| 3. She felt the ground _______ (shake). | 3. shake |
| 4. They watched the children _______ (play). | 4. play |
| 5. He noticed the car _______ (speed) away. | 5. speed |
| 6. I heard someone _______ (knock) on the door. | 6. knock |
| 7. We watched the sun _______ (set). | 7. set |
| 8. She felt the wind _______ (blow). | 8. blow |
| 9. He noticed the cat _______ (jump). | 9. jump |
| 10. They saw the accident _______ (happen). | 10. happen |
Exercise 4: Causative Verbs
Complete the sentences with the bare infinitive of the verb in parentheses.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. She made him _______ (apologize). | 1. apologize |
| 2. They let us _______ (go). | 2. go |
| 3. He helped me _______ (carry) the bags. | 3. carry |
| 4. The teacher made the students _______ (stay) after class. | 4. stay |
| 5. My parents let me _______ (attend) the concert. | 5. attend |
| 6. The comedian made us _______ (laugh). | 6. laugh |
| 7. The manager let us _______ (leave) early. | 7. leave |
| 8. I helped him _______ (fix) his car. | 8. fix |
| 9. The loud noise made the baby _______ (wake) up. | 9. wake |
| 10. They let the children _______ (play) outside. | 10. play |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, it is important to note the nuances in usage and the historical evolution of these rules. For instance, the use of the bare infinitive after verbs of perception can sometimes be influenced by regional variations in English.
Additionally, understanding the underlying syntactic structures and how they affect meaning can further refine your understanding. For example, consider the difference between:
- I saw him running. (present participle, focusing on the ongoing action)
- I saw him run. (bare infinitive, focusing on the completion of the action)
While both sentences are grammatically correct, they convey slightly different nuances.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between a bare infinitive and a to-infinitive?
The bare infinitive is the base form of the verb without “to,” while the to-infinitive includes “to.” The bare infinitive is used after modal verbs, auxiliary verbs (do, does, did), verbs of perception, and causative verbs (make, let). The to-infinitive is used in many other contexts, such as expressing purpose or after certain verbs like “want” and “need.”
- Can “help” be followed by both the bare infinitive and the to-infinitive?
Yes, “help” can be followed by either the bare infinitive or the to-infinitive. Both are grammatically correct, but the bare infinitive is more common in modern English. For example, “He helped me carry the bags” and “He helped me to carry the bags” are both acceptable.
- Are there any verbs of perception that don’t take the bare infinitive?
No, verbs of perception (such as see, hear, watch, feel, and notice) typically take the bare infinitive when followed by an object and describing the action perceived. However, in the passive voice, they are followed by the to-infinitive (e.g., “He was seen to leave”).
- When do I use “do,” “does,” and “did” with the bare infinitive?
You use “do,” “does,” and “did” with the bare infinitive to form questions, negative statements, and emphatic statements. For example, “Do you speak English?”, “She does not understand,” and “They did go to the party.”
- What happens if I use the to-infinitive after a modal verb?
Using the to-infinitive after a modal verb is grammatically incorrect. Modal verbs are always followed by the bare infinitive. For example, “I can swim” is correct, while “I can to swim” is incorrect.
- Is “had better” always followed by the bare infinitive?
Yes, the expression “had better” is always followed by the bare infinitive. For example, “You had better leave now” is correct.
- Is there a difference in meaning when using the gerund (-ing form) after a verb of perception versus the bare infinitive?
Yes, there is a subtle difference. The bare infinitive emphasizes the completion or totality of the action, while the gerund emphasizes the ongoing process. For example, “I saw him run” suggests I saw the entire act of running, while “I saw him running” suggests I saw him in the process of running.
- Can I use the bare infinitive in the passive voice?
Generally, no. In the passive voice, verbs that would normally take a bare infinitive (like verbs of perception) instead take a to-infinitive. For example, instead of “He was seen leave,” you would say “He was seen to leave.”
Conclusion
Mastering the bare infinitive is a crucial step in achieving fluency and accuracy in English grammar. Understanding the contexts in which it is used—after modal verbs, auxiliary verbs “do/does/did,” verbs of perception, causative verbs “make/let,” and expressions like “had better” and “would rather”—is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences.
By avoiding common mistakes and practicing regularly, you can confidently incorporate the bare infinitive into your writing and speech.
Remember that