Download Notes on: The infinitive without `to`, the `to`

Notes on: The infinitive without ‘to’, the ‘to’-infinitive, the ‘ing-participle
A.
We have already seen in Blok I, Syntax 2, that the infinitive without to, the to-infinitive,
and the ing-participle can occur in the Predicator, after certain auxiliaries.
You should try this fruit cake.
These pies have to be sold today.
The ice-cream was melting rapidly.
B.
In addition to this, both the to-infinitive and the ing-participle can be used in various
other functions in the sentence. In these functions, they can occur on their own or
together with ‘other words that belong to them’. (The use of the infinitive without to is
much more limited, see below, under ‘Verb Patterns’.)
Because the to-infinitive and the ing-participle are non-finite verb forms, such
constituents are not ‘phrases, but are nowadays seen as ‘non-finite clauses’ (see reader
Blok I). Below you’ll find some examples of the possibilities.
To-infinitive
To laugh now would ruin everything.
S
The best thing is to go there at once.
SA
To finish in time, we will have to hurry.
A
For the plan to succeed, we have to keep mum about it.
A
She intended to have scrambled eggs for a change.
DO
(inside phrases as a postmodifier)
Their decision to sell the firm / was unwise.
S:NP
postm.
He was / reluctant to do it.
SA:Adjp
postm.
Ing-participle
Driving an ancient Volkswagen can be fun.
S
His greatest pleasure is driving his ancient convertible.
SA
Walking down the garden path, he noticed the first daffodils.
A
With Otto coming as well, we will be complete.
A
They denied having taken our rooster.
DO
Do you call that acting responsibly? (rare)
OA
(inside phrases as a postmodifier or prepositional complement)
The boy sitting on the fence / was clutching a baseball bat.
S:NP
The boy sitting on the fence
postm.
After prepositions: (to-infinitive is not allowed, cf. Dutch)
By performing in his see-through catsuit, / he gets lots of attention.
A:PP
By performing in his see-through catsuit
prep. complement
Note 1: The ing-participle (‘with other words’) as S, SA, DO, OA and after
prepositions is traditionally called a gerund.
Note 2: Sometimes there is a difference in meaning between the to-infinitive
and the ing-participle as S or as SA. The to-infinitive is more specific, the
ing-participle more general.
His biggest wish was to own an original Wurlitzer.
His main hobby was collecting jukeboxes.
Verb patterns
A
In Blok I we saw that it is the lexical verb in the Predicator which determines
whether a Direct Object can follow (transitive verb), or not (intransitive verb).
A Direct Object is often a NP:
The BBC employs several announcers with regionally modified accents.
And in the complex sentence, we saw finite and non-finite subclauses as Direct
Object:
She believed that the world was flat.
He asked what the results were.
They decided to go home.
We enjoyed camping in Barcelona
In fact, the lexical verb determines not only whether a DO can follow, it also
determines what kind of DO can follow. Some verbs, for example, do not allow a
finite that-clause:
*We want that you do this for us. (* indicates a wrong sentence)
The structures that can follow the lexical verb are properties of the lexical verb, and
are often called verb patterns. Such verb patterns are usually indicated for each
(meaning of a) lexical verb in an English learner’s dictionary. (ALD, Longman,
Collins Cobuild)
The more complicated verb patterns are the non-finite clauses. Here an analysis as
one DO is sometimes possible, especially when the to-infinitive or ing-participle
immediately follows the lexical verb (see above).
But often an analysis as one DO is not quite acceptable, especially when the infinitive
clause has its own Subject. That is why such structures are normally discussed in
traditional grammars as Direct Object + infinitive. It is not our purpose to analyse
such sentences!
The important thing is that you know the most frequent verb patterns, and that you
know of some frequent lexical verbs which patterns they can/or: must take (as part
of your knowledge of English), and that you know how to look up this information.
B
The following is an (incomplete) list of verb patterns:
lex. verb + noun phrase
We appreciate your help.
finite clause
He hoped that he would win.
We wondered what had happened.
ing-part. clause
She enjoys singing in the rain.
NP + ing-p.cl
He remembered Ann working late.
to-inf. clause
They decided to open a pub.
NP + to-inf.cl
We ordered Ted to mow the lawn.
NP + bare inf. cl
I heard them leave the house.
or + ing-p.cl
We heard the boys singing carols.
or + past.p.cl
We heard the anthem sung.
Note that many verbs can take different combinations of these possibilities.
C.
The NP may be said to function as Subject in the subclause. This is certainly true for
the NP + ing-participle clause: They resented John giving up so soon.
However, for the NP in the infinitive clauses this is not always so clear:
She wanted Terry to do the dishes.
She commanded Terry to do the dishes.
She made Terry do the dishes.
Especially after such verbs as command and make, the NP Terry is also felt to be DO
or IO of the preceding lexical verb. Many grammar books, therefore, make a further
distinction between verbs like want and those like command.
D.
There are some lexical verbs that can take a to-infinitive or an ing-participle without
any difference in meaning, e.g. to intend, to begin. Other lexical verbs may have the
two possibilities with a difference in meaning.
Please remember to lock the door.
(to-inf.=later action)
I still remember seeing her for the first time.
(ing-p.=earlier action)
He would hate to leave now.
(specific)
He hates shaving every day.
(general)
She tried opening the windows. (but the stench remained) (try=”experiment”)
She tried to open the windows. (but they were stuck)
(try=”attempt”)
We really meant to tell you about it.
(mean = “intend”)
His new job will mean moving to London
(mean = “involve”)
E.
There are only a few verbs that can take the pattern NP + infinitive without
to (also called: bare infinitive).
1. see, hear, feel, watch, notice (smell, observe)
2. let, have, make (help)
Most of these can also be followed by NP + ing-participle. The present
participle after these verbs expresses the ‘being in progress’ of the action;
it is possible that the action is not complete. The bare infinitive indicates a
fact, a complete action. (Note that the ‘being in progress’ meaning only
applies to the ing-participle after these verbs.)
We saw John pack his suitcase.
We saw John packing his suitcase.
When the NP undergoes the action expressed by the following verb, the past
participle must be used (to express the Passive). This pattern is found mainly
after see, hear, have. Dutch may have an infinitive, especially after laten:
Tante Annie heeft het tehuis zien bouwen.
Aunt Annie saw the home built.
We hoorden het clublied zingen.
We heard the club song sung.
Hij laat zijn auto regelmatig wassen.
He has his car washed regularly.
Translate:
1. Ik laat ieder jaar een huis bouwen.
2. Ik laat volgend jaar een huis bouwen.
3. Ik laat momenteel een huis bouwen.
4. Kijk, ik heb een huis laten bouwen.
5. Ik moet een nieuw huis laten bouwen.
6. Ik heb een nieuw huis moeten laten bouwen.
Note 1:
Note 2:
After let the passive is expressed by be + past participle.
He let himself be fooled by her charming smile.
After want the pattern NP + past participle is sometimes found,
beside the normal NP + to be + past participle. The past participle
emphasizes the result of the action.
I want this cleaned at once.
I want this to be cleaned at once.