Verb Structures in English with the Verb in the Infinitive + Bare Infinitive or Infinitive without "To": Forming Logical Concepts in English

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Verb Structures in English with the Bare Infinitive or Infinitive Without "To": Forming Logical Concepts in English

In English, the verb followed by the bare infinitive (also known as the infinitive without "to") is a common structure that serves a specific purpose in the language. This construction is used in a variety of contexts, each conveying distinct logical relationships. Understanding when and how to use the bare infinitive is crucial for mastering English verb structures and for expressing ideas with clarity.

The bare infinitive is used primarily after certain verbs, modal verbs, and in imperative forms. It is also used in some specific constructions that require it, without the preposition "to" before the verb. Let's explore the key scenarios where this structure appears and how it helps in forming logical concepts in English.

1. After Modal Verbs

Modal verbs such as can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must, ought to, and need are followed by the bare infinitive. In these cases, the bare infinitive conveys possibility, ability, necessity, or permission, among other logical relations.

Examples:

• She can speak three languages.

  • Ela pode falar três idiomas.

  In this example, the verb can indicates the ability to speak, and the bare infinitive speak follows it. The logical concept here is the expression of an ability.

• You must study harder if you want to pass the exam.

  • Você deve estudar mais se quiser passar no exame.

  The modal verb must expresses necessity, and the bare infinitive study shows the required action to fulfill that necessity.

• They might arrive early.

  • Eles podem chegar cedo.

  Here, might indicates possibility, and arrive is the bare infinitive that follows, conveying the idea of a possible event happening.

2. After Certain Verbs of Perception

Verbs of perception, such as see, hear, feel, watch, and notice, are often followed by the bare infinitive. This construction indicates that the subject perceives an action happening.

Examples:

• I saw him leave the building.

  • Eu vi ele sair do prédio.

  The verb saw (in the past tense) is followed by the bare infinitive leave, showing that the action of leaving was perceived by the subject.

• We heard them sing at the concert.

  • Nós os ouvimos cantar no concerto.

  In this case, heard is the verb of perception, and sing is the bare infinitive, indicating the action that was perceived.

• She felt the wind blow through the trees.

  • Ela sentiu o vento soprar através das árvores.

  The verb felt is followed by the bare infinitive blow, showing the perception of the action.

3. After Causative Verbs

Causative verbs like make, let, have, and help are also followed by the bare infinitive. These verbs express causation or permission, and the bare infinitive represents the action that is caused or allowed by the subject.

Examples:

• She made me cry.

  • Ela me fez chorar.

  The verb made is a causative verb, indicating that the subject caused the action expressed by the bare infinitive cry.

• My parents let me stay out late.

  • Meus pais me deixaram ficar fora até tarde.

  The verb let expresses permission, and the bare infinitive stay shows the action that was allowed.

• I had him fix the car.

  • Eu fiz ele consertar o carro.

  Here, had is a causative verb indicating that the speaker arranged for the action of fixing the car to be done by someone else, represented by the bare infinitive fix.

• He helped me finish the project.

  • Ele me ajudou a terminar o projeto.

  Helped is a causative verb, and finish is the bare infinitive, representing the action that was assisted.

4. In Imperative Sentences

The bare infinitive is used in imperative sentences when giving commands or instructions. In this case, the subject is often understood (usually you), and the verb is used in its base form (bare infinitive).

Examples:

• Come here!

  • Venha aqui!

  The verb come is in the bare infinitive, giving a direct command to the listener.

• Sit down and relax.

  • Sente-se e relaxe.

  In this imperative sentence, the verb sit is in the bare infinitive, directing the listener to perform the action.

• Please take a seat.

  • Por favor, sente-se.

  The verb take is in the bare infinitive, instructing the listener to carry out the action.

5. After "Why" Questions with the Bare Infinitive

When asking questions that inquire about reasons or motives, why can be followed by the bare infinitive, particularly in informal or conversational English.

Examples:

• Why wait?

  • Por que esperar?

  The bare infinitive wait is used here to express a rhetorical question, suggesting that there is no reason to wait.

• Why worry?

  • Por que se preocupar?

  This example uses the bare infinitive worry to ask why the listener should feel concerned or anxious, implying that worry is unnecessary.

6. After "Would Rather" and "Had Better"

Both of these expressions are followed by the bare infinitive. Would rather is used to express preference, while had better suggests advisability or urgency.

Examples:

• I would rather stay at home tonight.

  • Eu prefiro ficar em casa esta noite.

  The phrase would rather expresses a preference, and the bare infinitive stay follows it to show the preferred action.

• You had better leave now if you want to catch the train.

  • É melhor você ir embora agora se quiser pegar o trem.

  The phrase had better expresses advice or a warning, and the bare infinitive leave suggests the necessary action.

Conclusion

The use of the bare infinitive in English plays a significant role in forming logical relationships between actions, abilities, permissions, perceptions, and commands. It appears after modal verbs, causative verbs, verbs of perception, and in imperative sentences, among other specific cases. By understanding the rules governing the bare infinitive, learners can accurately convey logical concepts, such as ability, necessity, permission, causation, and perception, in English.

The use of the bare infinitive provides a simpler and more direct form of expression, allowing English speakers to communicate ideas effectively and efficiently. Whether in formal or informal contexts, mastering this construction enhances one's ability to form meaningful and logical sentences in the English language.

Bibliographic References 

Azar, Betty Schrampfer. Understanding and Using English Grammar (4th Edition). Pearson, 2009.

This comprehensive grammar book explores various verb structures in English, including the use of the bare infinitive and the infinitive without "to" in sentence construction and their role in logical relationships.

Murphy, Raymond. English Grammar in Use (4th Edition). Cambridge University Press, 2012.

A popular grammar guide that explains the use of verb structures in English, including modal verbs and causative verbs that are followed by the bare infinitive or infinitive without "to."

Quirk, Randolph, Greenbaum, Sidney, Leech, Geoffrey, and Svartvik, Jan. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. Longman, 1985.

A thorough reference work that provides in-depth coverage of English grammar, including the usage of the bare infinitive and infinitive without "to" in various contexts and logical structures.

Celce-Murcia, Marianne, and Larsen-Freeman, Diane. The Grammar Book: An ESL/EFL Teacher's Course (3rd Edition). Heinle, Cengage Learning, 2015.

This book offers a detailed analysis of English grammar, including the specific use of infinitives and gerunds in combination with logical concepts such as causation, ability, and necessity.

Swan, Michael. Practical English Usage (4th Edition). Oxford University Press, 2016.

An essential reference for English learners, providing clear explanations of common verb structures, including the infinitive without "to" after modal verbs and causative verbs, and its role in expressing logical concepts.

Biber, Douglas, Conrad, Susan, and Leech, Geoffrey. Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English. Longman, 2002.

This comprehensive grammar book focuses on both spoken and written English, with detailed discussions on verb structures, including the use of the bare infinitive and infinitive without "to" after specific verbs.

Thornbury, Scott. How to Teach Grammar. Longman, 1999.

This practical guide offers insights into teaching English grammar, focusing on verb forms such as the infinitive without "to" and their role in forming logical meanings in language use.

Collins, Peter, and Hollo, David. English Grammar: An Introduction. Routledge, 2015.

A practical guide to understanding English grammar, including verb structures with the bare infinitive and infinitive without "to," with a focus on how these forms contribute to logical sentence structures.

Comrie, Bernard. Aspect: An Introduction to the Study of Verbal Aspect and Related Problems. Cambridge University Press, 1976.

While primarily focused on aspect, this book also explores how verb forms, including the bare infinitive and infinitive without "to," are used in different grammatical and logical contexts in English.