infinitive clause
C1Technical/Academic
Definition
Meaning
A grammatical structure where an infinitive verb (e.g., 'to go', 'to see') functions as the main verb of a subordinate clause.
A subordinate clause whose verb is in the infinitive form, often serving as a noun clause (subject, object, complement) or an adverbial clause of purpose, and frequently appearing after certain main clause verbs, adjectives, or nouns.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is used primarily in descriptive and pedagogical grammar. In traditional grammar, it might be analyzed as an 'infinitive phrase' functioning clausally. It is distinct from a gerund clause or a finite subordinate clause.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in conceptual usage. Minor stylistic preferences may exist in example phrasing.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in the technical grammar discourse of both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] + [NP] + [infinitive clause] (e.g., 'She wants him to leave')[Verb] + [infinitive clause] (e.g., 'He decided to wait')[Adjective] + [infinitive clause] (e.g., 'It's important to listen')[NP] + [BE] + [Adjective] + [infinitive clause] (e.g., 'She is reluctant to agree')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in training materials for business English, e.g., 'Our objective is to increase market share.'
Academic
Central to syntactic theory and language teaching methodology; frequently analysed in linguistics papers.
Everyday
Rarely referred to by name in casual conversation, though the structures are constantly used.
Technical
A core term in pedagogical grammar, syntax textbooks, and English language teaching resources.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The manual appears to have omitted a crucial infinitive clause.
American English
- The analysis failed to properly label the infinitive clause.
adverb
British English
- He explained the rule, speaking specifically about infinitive clause usage.
American English
- She analysed the sentence, focusing primarily on the infinitive clause.
adjective
British English
- The infinitive clause construction is quite common.
American English
- An infinitive clause error can confuse the reader.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I want to play.
- She asked me to help her with the homework.
- The company's plan to launch a new product was announced yesterday.
- Having been advised by counsel to remain silent, the defendant refused to answer any further questions, a decision which the prosecutor was eager to challenge.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think INFINITE possibilities + a CLAUSE: an 'infinitive clause' offers endless ways to complete a sentence starting with 'to'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BLUEPRINT FOR ACTION: The infinitive clause often represents a plan, intention, or potential action, not yet realised.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating Russian infinitive constructions where English requires a gerund (e.g., 'I enjoy reading' not '*I enjoy to read').
- Note that English often requires an object before the infinitive clause after verbs like 'want', 'expect' (e.g., 'I want you to come'), which differs from Russian structure.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with a gerund clause (e.g., using '*I enjoy to swim' instead of 'I enjoy swimming').
- Omitting the subject of the infinitive clause when it's different from the main clause subject (e.g., '*She wants to leave' vs. 'She wants him to leave').
- Using the wrong verb form after certain adjectives (e.g., '*I am afraid of to fly' instead of 'I am afraid to fly').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following contains an infinitive clause?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'to go' by itself is an infinitive phrase. It becomes an infinitive clause when it has its own subject and/or complements, functioning as a unit in a larger sentence (e.g., 'I want *her to go tomorrow*').
An infinitive clause uses the base form of the verb with 'to' (e.g., 'to run'), while a gerund clause uses the '-ing' form (e.g., 'running'). They are often not interchangeable and are governed by different preceding verbs and prepositions.
Yes. For example: '*To err* is human; *to forgive* is divine.' Here, 'To err' and 'to forgive' are infinitive clauses acting as the subjects of their respective sentences.
This occurs after specific verbs termed 'causative' or 'perception' verbs (e.g., let, make, see, hear). The structure (e.g., 'She let him *leave*') is still considered a type of non-finite clause, often called a 'bare infinitive clause'.