Advanced Uses of Infinitives with 'To'
This page explores more complex applications of the to-infinitive englisch, focusing on its use after superlatives and in verb + object constructions. These advanced uses are crucial for developing more sophisticated English language skills.
Infinitives with 'To' After Superlatives
The guide demonstrates how infinitives with 'to' can replace relative clauses after superlatives and similar expressions:
- "You are the first person who has said that." becomes "You are the first (person) to say that."
- "I was the only one who ordered meat." becomes "I was the only one to order meat."
- "That's the worst thing you can do." becomes "That's the worst thing to do!"
Highlight: After expressions like 'the first', 'the last', 'the only one', and superlatives (e.g., 'the worst thing', 'the most important thing'), the infinitive with 'to' can replace a relative clause, making the sentence more concise.
Infinitives with 'To' After Verb + Object
The guide also covers the use of infinitives in verb + object + infinitive constructions:
"Henry and Tyler want people to think about sweatshops and child labor."
"They would like them to join their protest at the mall."
"Scott and Eva expect Matt to ignore them."
Example: "Scott and Eva want me to drop Henry and Tyler." This sentence demonstrates how 'want' is followed by an object and then an infinitive with 'to', rather than a 'that' clause.
Vocabulary: Verbs that can be followed by object + infinitive with 'to' include: ask (to request), expect, prefer, tell, warn, want, would like.
These Infinitive constructions Übungen help students practice and master these more complex grammatical structures, enhancing their ability to express nuanced ideas in English.
