What are Infinitives?

An infinitive is a part of a speech that is written as to + base form of a verb, e.g, to sing, to dance, to sleep. Infinitives show what is the aim or purpose of an action.

• He bought some candies to give to the children.
• I will close the window to prevent mosquitoes from coming in.

Infinitives function as a subject or object in a sentence or as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

An Infinitive or infinitive phrase can function as a subject of a sentence.

• To wait seems undesirable when firm action is required.
• To swim in deep waters may be dangerous.

An infinitive or infinitive phrase can work as an object of a sentence.

• I like to speak French.
• I have plans to feed 100 people every day.

Infinitives can work as Nouns in a sentence.

• To collaborate with others is necessary.

To collaborate is the subject and also acts as a noun.

Infinitives can work as Adjectives in a sentence.

• We should continue this meeting if we have something new to discuss.

Here meeting (noun) should be continued only if there is something to discuss.

The infinitive acts as an adjective.

Infinitives can work as Adverbs in a sentence.

• I finished my work early to watch a movie.

Here finish is a verb. 'Why' did I finish the work early---to watch a movie. 

So, infinitive acts as an adverb.

There are many verbs which are followed by an infinitive like---

Offer, plan, prepare, pretend, proceed, promise, propose, refuse, remember, stop, wait, want, try, etc.

• I want to have fun.
• I can't wait to see you.
• She struggled to hold her tears.
• I promise to follow you to the end of the Earth.