GUIDE ENGLISH GRAMMAR BOOK

14 THE INFINITIVE
PAGE 146
5 In the negative, not comes before the infinitive.
I'd rather not sit at the front.
I'd prefer not to sit at the front.
NOTE
It can make a difference whether the main verb or the infinitive is negative.
I told you not to go. (= I told you to stay.)
I didn't tell you to go. (= I didn't say 'Go'.)
6 To can stand for an infinitive clause. •39(1)
I have to go out, but I don't want to.
We can sometimes leave out to so that we do not repeat it.
It's better to do it now than (to) leave it to the last minute.
When to-infinitives are linked by and, we do not usually repeat to.
I'm going to go out and have a good time.
117 Infinitive clauses
1 An infinitive clause can be just an infinitive on its own, or there can be an object
or adverbial.
A ride on a London bus is the best way to see the city.
We need to act quickly.
An adverbial usually comes after the infinitive, and an object always comes after it.
NOT the best way the city to see
NOTE
An adverb can sometimes go before the infinitive. Compare the position of suddenly in
these clauses.
I didn't expect you to change your mind suddenly.
I didn't expect you suddenly to change your mind.
It can also sometimes go between to and the verb.
I didn't expect you to suddenly change your mind.
This is called a 'split infinitive' because the infinitive to change is split by the word suddenly.
Split infinitives are common usage, although some people regard them as incorrect. In
general, it is safer to avoid them if you can, especially in writing. But sometimes we need to
split the infinitive to show that the adverb modifies it.
Wo one claims to really understand what is happening.
The government is planning to secretly test a new and more powerful weapon.
This makes it clear that we mean a real understanding (not a real claim), and that the test is
secret (not just the plan).
2 A preposition comes in its normal place, usually after a verb or adjective.
Your meals are all you have to pay for.
There's nothing to get excited about.
I need a vase to put these flowers in.
NOTE
In more formal English we can begin the clause with a preposition and relative pronoun.
Less formal: I need some information to base the article on.
More formal: I need some information on which to base the article.