3. Infinitive as Subject
Infinitive (Subject) Verb Object
To procrastinate causes a lot of problems.
Not to go ahead proved a mistake.
The infinitive as subject is formal and rarely used.
People are more likely to use a gerund or other
noun:
Procrastinating
or
Procrastination
causes a lot of problems.
Not going ahead proved a mistake.
4. Infinitive as Object
Subject Verb Infinitive (Object)
Not everyone wants to procrastinate
He decided not to go ahead.
(These are verbs that take an infinitive object. Do
not use a gerund instead.)
5. Infinitive as Subject Complement
Subject Verb Infinitive
(Subject
Complement)
His job is to motivate people.
Their real intention is not to succeed.
In most cases, a gerund is also correct in this kind of
sentence:
His job is motivating people.
Their real intention is not succeeding.
6. It + Infinitive
It Be Adjective For/of noun or
pronoun
Infinitive
It is foolish for Alice
or
for her
to procrastinate.
It was wrong of Hal
or
of him
not to go ahead.
(to go ahead = to
continue)
In this kind of sentence, use the infinitive and not a gerund.
7. Verbs Followed by Infinitives
Verb (Noun/Pr
onoun)
Infinitive
They
decided/hoped/negle
cted
0
to callconvinced/told/urged,
etc.
Steve/him
expected/needed/wa
nted, etc.
(Steve/hi
m)
8. Adjectives Followed by Infinitives
Adjective Infinitive
Hal is reluctant to complete his work on
time.
He’s careful not to make mistakes.
They’re happy to hear the test has
been
postponed.
9. Nouns Followed by Infinitives
Noun Infinitive
He can always
think of
reasons to put off studying.
It seems like the thing to do.
She always
shows
reluctance to finish a job.
10. Too/Enough with Infinitives
To +
Adjective/Adverb
Infinitive
The project is too complicated to finish on time.
Alice types too slowly to meet the deadline.
Adjective/Adverb +
Enough
Infinitive
Steve is intelligent enough to understand the situation.
He didn’t call quickly enough to get the job.
Enough + Noun Infinitive
They have
enough intelligence
to pass the test.intelligence enough
11. Active and Passive Infinitives
Active Infinitives Passive Infinitives
simple
present
She plans to invite
them.
They expect to be invited.
simple
past
She was glad to have
invited them.
They were happy to have
been invited.
