Definition of Bare Infinitive: Basic Verb without “to”
A verb without “to” in front of it is referred to as a bare infinitive, base verb, basic verb, or lexical verb. It stands for a verb’s fundamental form.
In English, the bare infinitive is frequently used. Several examples of its use are “We work every day,” “She sings at a café,” and “He walks every morning.” These statements employ the naked infinitive as the main/basic verb.
It is sometimes appropriate to use the bare infinitive after modal verbs like can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would. The ability, permission, possibility, necessity, or desire are all expressed with modal verbs. Modal verbs, when followed by a simple infinitive, provide formulations with particular meanings.
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Let’s discuss each modal verb and examples of using the bare infinitive after them:
1. Can / Could
People use the modal verbs “can” and “could” to express their ability or capability to do something.
Examples:
- She can swim.
- They could solve the puzzle.
2. May / Might
We use the modal verbs “may” and “might” to express permission or possibility.
Examples:
- May I come in?
- It might rain later.
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3. Must
The modal verb “must” is used to express necessity or certainty.
Examples:
- You must finish your homework.
- We must be on time for the movie.
4. Shall / Should
The modal verbs “shall” and “should” are used to indicate intention, offer ideas or give counsel.
Examples:
- Shall we go for a walk?
- You should apologize for your behavior.
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5. Will / Would
The modal verbs “will” and “would” are used to express desires, habits, or actions in the future.
Examples:
- I will help you with your project.
- She would often visit her grandparents.
In addition to being used after modal verbs, the bare infinitive is also used in other situations, such as after the verbs “let,” “make,” and “help.” Here are some examples of their usage:
1. Let
In order to give someone permission or let them to accomplish anything, the verb “let” is followed by the simple infinitive.
Examples:
- Let me explain.
- They let their children play in the park.
2. Make
The bare infinitive is used after the verb “make” to convey a directive or to urge an action.
Examples:
- She made him apologize.
- The teacher made the students complete the assignment.
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In addition, the bare infinitive is also used after certain verbs such as “see,” “hear,” “watch,” and “feel.” Its usage in these contexts indicates the action that occurs after the verb. Here are some examples:
1. See
We use the bare infinitive after the verb “see” to express the experience of seeing or witnessing something.
Examples:
- I saw her run in the park.
- Did you see him jump over the fence?
2. Hear
We experience hearing something with the bare infinitive after the verb “hear.”
Examples:
- We heard him sing at the concert.
- She heard the baby cry in the next room.
3. Feel
People experience or sense something by using the verb “feel” followed by the bare infinitive.
Examples:
- She felt the ground shake during the earthquake.
- They felt the water drip from the leaky faucet.
In the usage of the bare infinitive, it is important to remember that the verb remains in its base form without the addition of “to.” This is different from regular infinitive usage, which includes “to” before the verb, such as “to dance” or “to come.” The use of the bare infinitive gives a direct, assertive impression and sometimes conveys commands or suggestions.
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The usage of the bare infinitive in English language has several important benefits.
1. Expression of Will and Ability
After modal verbs like can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would, we can emphasize someone’s willingness or ability to carry out an action by using the bare infinitive. For instance, the phrase “She can sing beautifully” denotes that she is capable of singing. We can describe someone’s abilities or skills in a certain area thanks to this.
2. Expression of Commands and Prohibitions
We can also use the bare infinitive to give directives or restrictions, such as “Clean your room” or “Don’t touch that!” The bare infinitive provides clear and concise guidance. This is helpful when you need to make directives or restrictions clear and forcefully emphasized.
3. Expression of Sensory Experience
After seeing, hearing, observing, or feeling, we use the bare infinitive to describe a sensory experience. Take the phrases “I saw her dance gracefully” or “He heard the birds chirp in the morning.” The bare infinitive in this scenario allows us to describe the sensation of seeing, hearing, or feeling a specific event or circumstance.
4. Expressive Strength
Using the bare infinitive provides a stronger and more straightforward expression. In this context, the verb without the preposition “to” suggests that an action or event happens directly, without any middlemen or delays. The sentences “He made me laugh” and “Let me help you” clearly and simply convey the message when using the bare infinitive.
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Understanding the context and usage guidelines is crucial when learning and employing the bare infinitive. Correct use of the bare infinitive strengthens and clarifies our communication, especially when modal verbs or sensory verbs are involved. We can become proficient in using the bare infinitive via practice and experience, which will improve our ability to express ourselves in English clearly and concisely.
