Chris is studying to become a lawyer.
Infinitive Verbs
Verbs can have many forms in English. The infinitive form is when a verb is unchanged. It is sometimes called the "base form" or "dictionary form":
go
- go
- goes
- going
- went
- gone
eat
- eat
- eats
- eating
- ate
- eaten
be
- be
- am
- is
- are
- was
- were
- been
- being
like
- like
- likes
- liking
- liked
play
- play
- plays
- playing
- played
try
- try
- tries
- trying
- tried
Modal Verb + Infinitive
As we studied in Units 7 and 8, we need the infinitive form of a verb when we use modal verbs:
|
will might may can could must should would shall* *Shall is studied in 120. |
+ | infinitive verb |
It might rain soon.
I couldn't understand class very well today.
Can you speak English?
To + Infinitive
Also in Units 7 & 8, we learned to use infinitive verbs with the phrases be going to, have to, and need to:
I think I'm going to study at the library tomorrow.
Why do you have to work on Sunday?
You don't need to help me. I'm okay.
You may know more verbs that use to + infinitive verb. We will study these more in Grammar 9-2.
Purpose
Another reason to use to + infinitive verb is to describe the purpose of an action:
He went to France to study French.
Do you want to come over to have dinner?
The teacher left to go to the bathroom.
I didn't come to speak with you. I'm here to talk with Joe.
Present & Past Simple
As we learned in Units 2 & 3, when we make negative sentences or questions in the present simple or past simple tenses, we need to use infinitive verbs with do / don't, does / doesn't, or did / didn't:
| Present Simple | I play the piano. | I don't play the piano. | Do I play the piano? |
| Present Simple | He plays the piano. | He doesn't play the piano. | Does he play the piano? |
| Past Simple | She played the piano. | She didn't play the piano. | Did she play the piano? |
Verb-ing
Past & Present Continuous
In Units 2 & 3, we studied that we need be + verb-ing when we use the present and past continuous tenses.
| I | am / was | verb-ing |
| You | are / were | |
|
He She It |
is / was | |
|
We They |
are / were |
It wasn't raining hard when I woke up this morning.
What are you doing?
John was making dinner when I got home.
Charlie's playing video games with a friend.
Past & Present Continuous Passive
Remember the passive forms of the past and present continuous tenses:
| am / is / are was / were |
being | past participle |
The elevator was being fixed when I arrived.
The windows are being washed right now.
Our photo is being taken.
Exercise
Open the exercise to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.