The infinitive usually takes the markerto. However, in some cases, it is used without to.
Can you use infinitives correctly? Test your understanding with this grammar exercise.
1I would rather ...............
Wrong!
After "would rather", use the bare infinitive "wait".
2You ought ............... your ways.
Wrong!
After "ought", use the to-infinitive "to mend".
3She didn't ............... anything.
Wrong!
After "didn't", use the base form "say".
4She was told ............... the room.
Wrong!
After "was told", use the to-infinitive "to leave".
5You had better ............... what she wants.
Wrong!
After "had better", use the bare infinitive "see".
6I don't let my children ............... up late.
Wrong!
After "let" + object, use the bare infinitive "stay".
7I didn't see him ............... in.
Wrong!
After "see" + object for a complete action, use the bare infinitive "come".
8We both heard her ............... that she was leaving.
Wrong!
After "hear" + object for a complete action, use the bare infinitive "say".
9Did you feel the earth ...............?
Wrong!
After "feel" + object for a complete action, use the bare infinitive "move".
10Can you help me ............... the car?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "help" + object, both "load" and "to load" are correct.
Answers
- I would rather wait.
- You ought to mend your ways.
- She didn’t say anything.
- She was told to leave the room.
- You had better see what she wants.
- I don’t let my children stay up late.
- I didn’t see him come in.
- We both heard her say that she was leaving.
- Did you feel the earth move?
- Can you help me load / to load the car?
