In short
- Structure: subject + main verb + object + to + infinitive (I want him to come).
- The object becomes the logical subject of the infinitive action, not the main subject.
- Bare infinitive: without “to”, after modals, causative verbs (make, let) and perception verbs (see, hear).
- Negation: “not” is placed just before the infinitive (I told him not to come).
- For + object: is used when no direct introductory verb fits (It’s important for him to learn).
The infinitive clause allows you to express that you want, ask, or expect another person to do something, without using a full subordinate clause introduced by “that” in French. This guide details its construction, the verbs that introduce it, its negative, interrogative, and passive forms, as well as the distinction with the gerund.
What is an infinitive clause?
An infinitive clause is a grammatical structure that includes a verb in the infinitive form, often preceded by to, and which functions as the object of the main verb. It allows you to express an action performed by a person different from the main subject, without constructing a full subordinate clause introduced by a conjunction.
The basic structure is: subject + main verb + object + to + infinitive.
- She asked him to wait. → She asked him to wait.
- They expect us to be on time. → They expect us to be on time.
In these two sentences, the infinitive does not refer to the main subject (she, they), but to the object (him, us), which becomes the implicit subject of the action expressed by the infinitive. In French, these structures are often translated by a subordinate clause with “que”: I want him to come → Je veux qu’il vienne.
To-infinitive or bare infinitive: what’s the difference?
Some infinitive clauses use to before the verb (to go, to help), while others do without it entirely (go, help). The choice depends solely on the main verb that precedes it.
Verbs followed by “to + infinitive”
The majority of verbs that introduce an infinitive clause use the structure with to. They generally express a wish, a decision, an expectation, an order, or permission.
| Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| want | to want | They want us to join them. |
| would like | would like | I would like her to clean her room. |
| expect | to expect | We expect the team to win. |
| tell | to tell, to order | She told me to sit down. |
| ask | to ask | They asked us to help. |
| advise | to advise | She advised them not to come. |
| allow / permit | to allow, to permit | My boss allowed me to leave early. |
| persuade | to persuade | They persuaded him to take a taxi. |
| force / oblige | to force, to oblige | She was forced to go to the station. |
| encourage | to encourage | He encouraged her to apply. |
| remind | to remind someone to | Remind me to call her. |
| teach | to teach someone to | She teaches children to read. |
The object can also be omitted when the subject of the infinitive is the main subject itself: I decided to leave. (I decided to leave.) She hopes to find a job. (She hopes to find a job.)
Verbs followed by the infinitive without “to” (bare infinitive)
A small group of verbs requires the bare infinitive, without to, divided into three families.
| Family | Verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Modals | can, must, should, might, will… | You must leave now. She can drive. |
| Causatives | make, let, have | She made him wait. Let her come in. |
| Perception | see, hear, feel, watch, notice | I heard them sing. We saw her cross the street. |
The verb help is an exception: it accepts both forms without changing the meaning, with the version with to remaining slightly more formal. She helped me carry the bags and She helped me to carry the bags are both correct.
Building an infinitive clause: the four forms
Affirmative form
Structure: subject + main verb + object + to + infinitive.
- I want him to wait. → I want him to wait.
- The teacher told the students to sit down. → The teacher told the students to sit down.
Negative form
The word not is placed directly before the infinitive, whether it is preceded by to or not.
- I told him not to come late. → I told him not to come late.
- She advised them not to come for nothing. → She advised them not to come for nothing.
Indirect question with infinitive
After verbs like ask, wonder, know, remember, decide, a question word (what, where, how, whether) can be followed directly by to + base verb, without constructing a full question.
- I don’t know what to do. → I don’t know what to do.
- She asked where to wait. → She asked where to wait.
- He’s not sure whether to call her. → He’s not sure whether to call her.
Passive form
The infinitive clause in the passive voice is constructed with a passive verb (is said, is expected, was reported) followed by to + base verb. This form remains common in formal contexts, the press, or official reports, to emphasize what undergoes the action or to keep the agent unknown.
- She is said to speak five languages. → She is said to speak five languages.
- He is expected to come at 8. → He is expected to come at 8.
- My brother told him to come to the party. → He was told to come to the party by my brother. (in the passive voice)
The by + agent complement remains optional: it is used to specify who performed the action, but can be omitted if the context makes it obvious.
The construction with “for”
When no introductory verb allows for the direct integration of a second subject, English uses the structure for + object + to + verb. It frequently appears after impersonal expressions and adjectives like important, difficult, hard, crucial, vital, natural.
- It’s important for him to learn English. → It’s important for him to learn English.
- It is difficult for her to speak Chinese. → It is difficult for her to speak Chinese.
- The teacher waits for her students to enter the classroom. → The teacher waits for her students to enter the classroom.
Infinitive clause and reported speech
The infinitive clause is also used to report an order or a request originally made in the imperative. A direct order like “Wake up!” is reformulated in indirect speech with a verb like want or tell followed by an infinitive clause: The father wants the children to wake up. The complete mechanism of this transformation, with the associated sequence of tenses, is detailed in the guide on direct and indirect speech in English.
Infinitive clause or gerund: don’t confuse them
The gerund and the infinitive clause may seem similar, but they are not used in the same contexts. The gerund emphasizes the activity itself, without a person as an object; the infinitive clause emphasizes an action performed by someone else, introduced by a main verb followed by an object.
| Structure | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Gerund | I like dancing. | I like dancing (activity in general, no object). |
| Infinitive clause | I want her to dance. | I want her to dance (action expected from another person). |
Practice exercise
Check your understanding of the infinitive clause:
1. She asked us ___ with the bags.
2. He told me ___ wait here.
3. The teacher made ___ redo the exercise.
4. I saw him ___ over the fence.
5. It is important ___ him to learn English.
6. I don’t know ___ to do.
7. She ___ to speak five languages.
8. Which sentence correctly uses the gerund rather than the infinitive clause?
Your score
