An infinitive is the base form of a verb with to. It can work with another word in the sentence. It does not show person or time by itself.

Many common verbs can take an infinitive after them. This pattern often shows a wish, a plan, or a need. The infinitive keeps the form to plus base verb.

Word or Phrase	Definition
want	It is followed by an infinitive to show a wish.
like	It is followed by an infinitive to show preference.
need	It is followed by an infinitive to show necessity.
hope	It is followed by an infinitive to show hope for the future.

An infinitive can show purpose. It answers the question why. In this pattern, to plus base verb explains the reason for an action.

Rule
Use an infinitive after an action to show purpose.
The infinitive answers the question why.
Use to plus the base verb in this pattern.

An infinitive can come after some nouns. It gives more information about the noun. This pattern is common with nouns about plans, time, or work.

Word or Phrase	Definition
time	It can be followed by an infinitive to show what is possible or right then.
plan	It can be followed by an infinitive to show an intended action.
way	It can be followed by an infinitive to show a method.

An infinitive can come after an adjective. It adds information about a feeling, quality, or situation. This pattern is common in simple sentences.

Word or Phrase	Definition
happy	It can be followed by an infinitive to show the reason for a feeling.
ready	It can be followed by an infinitive to show preparation for an action.
easy	It can be followed by an infinitive to describe how difficult something is.
important	It can be followed by an infinitive to show what has value or need.

An infinitive can come after some question words. This pattern gives basic information about an action, choice, place, time, or method. It is used in simple sentence structures.

Word or Phrase	Definition
what to	It asks about the thing or action that is right or needed.
where to	It asks about the place for an action.
when to	It asks about the time for an action.
how to	It asks about the method for an action.

An infinitive is different from a finite verb form. A finite verb changes for the subject or the tense in a sentence. An infinitive does not change in that way.

Rule
A finite verb can change with the subject or tense.
An infinitive stays in the form to plus base verb.
An infinitive cannot be the main changed verb by itself.

You can now recognize infinitives and use them in simple patterns. You can use infinitives after common verbs, after some nouns and adjectives, and after question words. You can also use an infinitive to show purpose and see the difference between an infinitive and a finite verb form.