Base form / bare infinitive

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Base form / bare infinitive
Message from carlabice47 posted on 28-01-2014 at 09:59:09 (D | E | F)
Hello,

Can anyone help me find a good way to describe the difference between base form and bare infinitive?
I have never thought it would be important but some people seem to mind it. I couldn't find any positive help on the Internet.
Thanks !

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Edited by lucile83 on 28-01-2014 12:04

Re: Base form / bare infinitive from passenger75, posted on 28-01-2014 at 15:17:40 (D | E)
Hello,
Bare infinitive is obvious per se,it's the infinitive without "to".
So is the base form;this also is the infinitive without to.
Hope it helps.

Re: Base form / bare infinitive from gerondif, posted on 28-01-2014 at 19:17:50 (D | E)
Hello,
there is no difference in writing but one in the way it is used, if you want to waste time talking about it:

I would say that a complete infinitive can be used:
after an adjective: I am happy to see you / I am sad not to come.
after a normal lexical verb: I want to come, I don't want to stay behind. I need to come
in the infinitive structure: I want you to come, I expect you to come, I order you to come...

The bare infinitive would be used after an auxiliary verb:
I will come, I won't come
after a modal auxiliary verb: I must come, I can't come. Need you come ? No, I needn't come.

The base form will be used in: I am working (work + ing) I worked (work + ed) I like working (gerund: work + ing) I have worked
What about the imperative? Work, don't work, let's work, let's not work ? base form I suppose.
I don't like, I didn't like, same thing...

Re: Base form / bare infinitive from carlabice47, posted on 29-01-2014 at 12:54:47 (D | E)
Thank you everybody, for your help!
carlabice47

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