> Other English exercises on the same topic: Infinitive [Change theme]
	> Similar tests: - Infinitive clause - Infinitive phrase - Infinitive in sentences - TO + verb base or TO + V + ing - Gerunds or Infinitives - Doing, Do, To do... - Gerund or Infinitve - To try, followed by...
	> Double-click on words you don't understand

Infinitive (without 'to') - English lesson

preceding this one, we have studied 'complete infinitive' [(129945 target=_blank>test. In order to go further

in our progression, this lesson will review the uses of 'the infinitive without to', (verbal root).

You should try to remember the different usages of the different forms and then, we might try to

mix all the different forms and try to test both your knowledge and your reflexes!

INFINITIVE without TO ( or verb base ) is used in the following cases : 

1) Obviously, after modal auxiliaries: CAN, COULD, MAY, MIGHT, WILL, SHALL, WOULD, 

SHOULD, MUST and sometimes NEED and DARE. 

- I can swim but I couldn't dive even if I wanted to. 

2) After the expressions WOULD RATHER and HAD BETTER; 

- He'd [would] rather go to see his friends, but he'd [had] better work on his report!

3) After WHY...?/ WHY NOT...?

- Why not spend the holiday in your family, this year?

4) After LET, MAKE, SEE and HEAR, FEEL, WATCH, NOTICE (and sometimes HELP in familiar

English)+ Object complement. 

- Her parents let her go out with her friends on weekdays.

- It made me angry but I finally accepted. 

5) After BUT (meaning 'except') and EXCEPT: 

- He does nothing but work and work... and never takes time to rest... 

Is that it? The different usages of the different forms cannot easily be mixed and are easy to remember.  

To remember when to use a form or another one, the simplest method est undoubtedbly to learn by heart

one single example of each form. Rapidly, it will become automatic and you'll have won! 

In the meantime, learn and repeat! Go for it!   

Twitter Share
English exercise "Infinitive (without 'to')" created by here4u with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from here4u]
Click here to see the current stats of this English test

Please log in to save your progress.

1. Why askingWhy to askWhy askI don't know for your mother's permission when you know that she will never lend you her car?


2. My parents would rather to lockhad rather lockwould rather lockI don't know the door before leaving: then, they'll set the alarm themselves.



3. If I could, I would help you findingwould help you to findwould help you findI don't know who broke into your house, but calling the police is a better idea!



4. 'Your dad will never let you have the keyyou having the keyyou to have the keyI don't know to his country house if you tell him it is to throw a huge party with all your friends...'



5. 'Hear me, please! During this training, you will do all the work, and I won't do anything except to indicateindicateindicatingI don't know your mistakes!'



6. 'I'd better leaveto leaveleavingI don't know immediately, because I really have to be on time for this important appointment.'



7. 'Would you admityou to admityou admittingI don't know that you didn't drive the car yourself?'



8. 'Yes, I could lend you my computer for a few hours, but why not goingwhy not gowhy to not goI don't know to a cybercafé instead?'



9. 'I really can't understand you! Why spendingto spendspendI don't know so much time to learn Japanese when you're not going there with your colleagues,'



10. 'Punish him! He deserves it! He does nothing but to annoyannoyannoyingI don't know everyone in the group!'