The Bare Infinitive: 40 Example Sentences & Guide

Today, we are going to check out examples of the bare infinitive in sentences to see just how it is used in natural English. Let’s go over the first examples, and then look further into what it is and how to use it in English.

1. Lucy helped him win.
2. They let me go early.
3. I heard her sing.
4. Jake made me laugh.
5. We watched them dance.

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Bare Infinitive

The bare infinitive is a form of the verb without “to.” It’s a crucial aspect of English grammar and plays an important role in both written and spoken English. The bare infinitive is used in many situations, such as following modal verbs, certain verbs of perception, and causative verbs. Mastering when and how to use the bare infinitive is important for improving your English fluency and making your language sound natural.

Bare Infinitive Sentences

One of the most common uses of the bare infinitive is after modal verbs. Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express necessity, possibility, permission, or ability. Some examples of modal verbs include “can,” “could,” “must,” “should,” “might,” and “will.” After these modal verbs, the main verb is always in the bare infinitive form, without the word “to.”

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Here are some example sentences that illustrate the use of the bare infinitive after modal verbs:

6. She can sing very well.
7. I must go to the store now.
8. He should call his parents tonight.
9. We heard him speak in the meeting.
10. You might see her at the concert.
11. They could leave anytime.
12. I let him borrow my book.
13. She made me laugh.
14. I saw him run across the street.
15. He had better study for the exam.

In these examples, notice that the verbs following “can,” “must,” “should,” and others do not include “to.” They are in their bare infinitive form. This structure is essential when using modals to express abilities, obligations, or actions that could or should happen.

Apart from modal verbs, the bare infinitive is also used after certain causative verbs. Causative verbs like make, let, have, and help are followed by the bare infinitive when they are used to cause or allow something to happen. This is another crucial area for bare infinitives in English.

Here are more examples of sentences using causative verbs and the bare infinitive:

16. I made him clean up after the party.
17. She let me borrow her laptop for the day.
18. He helped me carry my luggage.
19. We had our neighbor fix the roof.
20. They made us wait for a long time.
21. She let me join the group.
22. He had her write the report.
23. I helped my friend study for the test.
24. She made her son clean the kitchen.
25. They let him ride the train.

These examples show how causative verbs are followed by the bare infinitive to express actions that are caused or allowed by someone else. The bare infinitive form is important in these sentences to maintain the correct grammar.

Full Infinitive

The full infinitive, on the other hand, is the base form of a verb preceded by the word to. This form is used in many different grammatical structures, including after certain verbs, adjectives, and nouns. Full infinitives are used to express purpose, intention, or desire, and are important for conveying meaning in various contexts.

For example:

• I want to go to the movies.
• She needs to finish her homework.
• They decided to take a vacation.
• He is happy to help you.

In these examples, notice that each verb is preceded by “to.” This is the key feature of the full infinitive. The full infinitive expresses intention, desire, or a need to perform the action.

Full Infinitive Sentences

Let’s look at more examples of sentences with the full infinitive. These sentences provide insight into when and how the full infinitive is used in English:

1. I want to learn more about English.
2. She needs to finish her project by tomorrow.
3. He decided to walk home after school.
4. They are planning to visit their grandparents this weekend.
5. I would like to join the club.
6. We hope to travel next summer.
7. She promised to help me with my homework.
8. He is excited to start his new job.
9. They love to read books in the evening.
10. I would prefer to eat at a restaurant.

As you can see from these examples, the full infinitive is used after certain verbs, adjectives, and nouns that express desires, preferences, plans, or intentions. It plays a critical role in forming more complex and precise sentences.

Differences Between Bare Infinitive and Full Infinitive

The key difference between the bare infinitive and full infinitive lies in the usage and structure of each form:

• Bare Infinitive: It is used directly after modal verbs (can, could, must, etc.), causative verbs (make, let, help), and verbs of perception (see, hear, feel).
• Full Infinitive: It is used after verbs expressing desires, intentions, or plans (want, need, decide), adjectives (happy, eager, excited), and nouns that express intention or desire.

The choice between a bare infinitive and full infinitive is determined by the main verb in the sentence. For instance, after modals like “can” or “might,” you use the bare infinitive. However, after verbs such as “want” or “hope,” you use the full infinitive.

Here’s a comparison of sentences using both forms to clarify the difference:

• She can swim fast. (bare infinitive)
• I want to swim in the ocean. (full infinitive)

In the first sentence, “can” is a modal verb, so the verb “swim” is in its bare infinitive form. In the second sentence, “want” is a verb expressing desire, and so the verb “to swim” is used in the full infinitive form.

When to Use Bare Infinitive vs Full Infinitive

Here is a guide to help you understand when to use each form:

Infinitive Type	When to Use	Example Sentences
Bare Infinitive	After modal verbs (can, could, will, shall, might, must, should, etc.)	I can run fast. (modal verb)
	After causative verbs (make, let, have, etc.)	She made him cry. (causative verb)
	After verbs of perception (see, hear, feel, watch, etc.)	We saw her dance on the stage. (verb of perception)
	After some other verbs (bid, help, dare, etc.)	He helped me finish the task. (other verb)
Full Infinitive	After verbs expressing intention or desire (want, need, decide, plan, hope, prefer, etc.)	I need to eat something. (verb expressing necessity)
	After adjectives (happy, eager, ready, excited)	She is excited to see the movie. (adjective expressing excitement)
	After nouns expressing purpose or intention (opportunity, plan, decision, etc.)	He has a plan to visit his family next week. (noun expressing purpose)

Bare Infinitive vs Full Infinitive: The Choice is Yours

Knowing when to use the bare infinitive or full infinitive can make a big difference in how natural your English sounds. It’s important to recognize which verbs require the bare infinitive and which need the full infinitive. By paying attention to these details, you can speak and write more fluently, using the correct forms to express your thoughts clearly.

More bare infinitive examples

As today’s article is more focused on the bare infinitive than the full, let’s finish up with a final set of example sentences. These sentences use the bare infinitive after modal verbs, causative verbs, verbs of perception, and other verbs. Read and repeat them all!

26. She made him smile.
27. I heard her sing.
28. They let us leave early.
29. We watched him play.
30. He helped me finish the work.
31. I saw them dance at the party.
32. He helped me carry the box.
33. He bid her goodbye.
34. I can swim well.
35. You should let him try.
36. They must leave now.
37. She made me laugh out loud.
38. I watched him write a letter.
39. She heard them talk outside.
40. He will help you move.

Improving your use of the Bare Infinitive for Effective Communication

In conclusion, both the bare infinitive and full infinitive are crucial elements of English grammar. The bare infinitive is often used after modal verbs, causative verbs, and verbs of perception, whereas the full infinitive is used to express intention, desire, or need. Understanding the difference and knowing when to use each form will enhance your ability to communicate effectively in English.

By practicing sentences with both the bare and full infinitive, you can improve your grammar skills and develop more fluent, natural English. So, continue practicing these forms in your daily conversations and writing, and soon you will have a deeper understanding of how to use infinitives in different ways.