Bare Infinitive (Zero Infinitive): Usage and Examples

Have you ever noticed how sometimes we use verbs without the little word “to” in front of them? This is called the zero infinitive, also known as the bare infinitive. It might seem like a small detail, but the zero infinitive plays an important role in many English sentences. Today, we’ll delve into this concept and explore when to ditch the “to” and use the bare verb form effectively.

What is the Bare Infinitive?

The bare infinitive, also sometimes called the zero infinitive, is a verb form that appears without the word “to” before it. It’s essentially the base form of the verb acting in a non-finite way, meaning it doesn’t function as the main verb tense in a sentence.

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference:

To-infinitive: I want to go to the beach. (Here “to go” functions as the entire object of the verb “want”.)
Bare infinitive: Make her go clean her room. (Here “go” acts as the verb following the auxiliary verb “make”.)

Uses of the Bare Infinitive

The bare infinitive shows up in various grammatical constructions, lending them specific meaning. Here are some common uses:

With Modal Verbs:

We use the bare infinitive after modal verbs like can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would. These verbs express abilities, permissions, obligations, and possibilities.

Examples:

She can speak three languages.
You should study for your exam.
She can swim like a fish.
They could hear the music from miles away.
You may leave the classroom when you finish your test.
He might arrive late due to the traffic.
We must finish this project by tomorrow.
Shall we dance?
You should study for your exams.
Will you help me with my homework?
They would go to the beach every weekend if they could.
If you ask nicely, I will lend you my car.

After Perception Verbs:

The bare infinitive follows verbs of perception like see, hear, watch, feel, notice, and smell when they have a direct object.

Examples:

I saw him leave the building.
We heard the band play a beautiful song.
She heard him sing beautifully at the concert.
I watched her paint a stunning landscape.
He felt the dog lick his hand affectionately.
They noticed the children play happily in the park.
We saw the birds fly gracefully across the sky.
She heard the wind howl loudly outside.
He noticed the flowers bloom in the garden.
They watched the sun rise over the horizon.
She felt the floor shake beneath her feet.
I heard the neighbors argue loudly next door.

With Let and Make:

These verbs are often followed by a bare infinitive to express commands or cause something to happen.

Examples:

Let them play outside. (Giving permission)
She made me cry with her story. (Causing something to happen)
She let her children play in the yard.
He made his students complete the assignment before the end of class.
They let me borrow their car for the weekend.
She made him clean his room before going out.
Let’s make a plan for the weekend.
He made her laugh with his silly jokes.
They let the cat out of the house.
She made him apologize for his rude behavior.
Let me help you with that heavy box.
They made the decision to move to a new city.

Had Better and Would Rather:

These expressions take a bare infinitive to convey advice or preference.

Examples:

You had bettergo to the doctor.
I would ratherstay home tonight.
You had better finish your homework before dinner.
I would rather stay home and relax than go to the party.
We had better leave early to avoid traffic.
She would rather go for a walk in the park than watch TV.
You had better study hard if you want to pass the exam.
I would rather eat pizza than sushi for dinner.
They had better start saving money for their future.
He would rather take the train than drive in rush hour traffic.
We had better call ahead to make a reservation at the restaurant.
She would rather read a book than watch a movie tonight.

After Why Questions:

In informal contexts, we can use the bare infinitive after “why” in questions suggesting an action.

Example:

Why leave so early?
Why go to bed early when we can stay up late and have fun?
Why wait for tomorrow when we can do it today?
Why worry about the future when we can enjoy the present?
Why clean the house now when it will just get messy again?
Why apologize when you did nothing wrong?
Why rush to finish when we have plenty of time?
Why bother cooking when we can order takeout?
Why stress over small details when they don’t really matter?
Why cry over spilled milk when we can just clean it up?
Why stay indoors when the weather outside is beautiful?

So, that’s the scoop on the bare infinitive! By mastering this little grammatical quirk, you’ll be able to express yourself more effectively and add variety to your sentences. Remember, practice is key! Try incorporating bare infinitives into your writing and speech, and you’ll soon see how natural they become.

Happy learning!

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