Bare infinitive

Definition

A bare infinitive is the base form of a verb without the particle 'to' that follows certain verbs, modal verbs, and in specific grammatical constructions. This form is crucial for understanding how verbs function in non-finite clauses and can be used to convey actions without additional markers. It often appears after auxiliary verbs and modal verbs, playing a significant role in sentence structure and meaning.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Bare infinitives are commonly used after modal verbs like 'can,' 'will,' 'may,' and 'must' which do not require 'to.'
2. They can also follow certain verbs like 'make,' 'let,' and 'help,' demonstrating how these verbs influence sentence structure.
3. In questions, bare infinitives appear after auxiliary verbs, as in 'Can you swim?' where 'swim' is the bare infinitive.
4. Bare infinitives serve to form passive structures, as in 'He had his car washed,' where 'washed' is the bare infinitive following 'had.'
5. Understanding the use of bare infinitives helps clarify the meaning and function of non-finite clauses in complex sentences.

Review Questions

• What role do bare infinitives play when used after modal verbs in sentences?
  • Bare infinitives follow modal verbs like 'can,' 'should,' and 'might' without the particle 'to.' They help convey necessity or ability without altering the verb form. For example, in 'She can dance,' 'dance' is a bare infinitive, highlighting the action she is capable of performing. This construction emphasizes immediacy and possibility in communication.
• How do bare infinitives contribute to the formation of passive structures in English grammar?
  • In passive constructions, bare infinitives are used to indicate the action performed on the subject. For example, in the sentence 'He had his homework done,' the verb 'done' is a bare infinitive following the causative verb 'had.' This structure emphasizes that someone else performed the action on his homework, demonstrating how bare infinitives can change the focus of a sentence.
• Evaluate the significance of bare infinitives within non-finite clauses and their effect on sentence meaning.
  • Bare infinitives are significant within non-finite clauses as they allow for actions to be expressed without showing tense. This non-finite construction provides flexibility and depth to sentence meaning by enabling more complex ideas to be conveyed succinctly. For instance, in the clause 'To win is important,' removing 'to' creates a bare infinitive structure that shifts focus on winning itself as an action. This highlights how bare infinitives are essential for creating nuanced expressions in English.

Related terms

infinitive: The base form of a verb, often preceded by 'to,' used to express actions or states without indicating tense.

modal verb: A type of auxiliary verb that expresses necessity, possibility, permission, or ability, often followed by a bare infinitive.

non-finite clause: A type of clause that does not show tense and typically contains a non-finite verb form, such as an infinitive or gerund.