Uses of the bare infinitive

October 4, 2010 -

The infinitive can be used with or without the marker to. These two forms of the infinitive are distinguished by the terms ‘to-infinitives’ and ‘bare infinitives’.
Uses of the bare infinitive
The infinitive without the marker to (bare-infinitive) is used after the auxiliaries shall, should, will, would, may, might, do, did, can, could, must, need and dare.

• I shall invite them.
• We must go now.
• He can speak English.
• You need not go.
• He dare not refuse.

Notes
When dare and need are used as principal verbs, they are followed by the to-infinitive.

• Did he dare to do that?
• We will need two weeks to complete the work.

The infinitive is used without to after some principal verbs like bid, watch, see, let, make, help and hear.

• I bade him come. (NOT I bade him to come.)
• Let him go. (NOT Let him to go.)
• We heard her sing. (NOT We heard her to sing.)
• I watched them play. (NOT I watched them to play.)

After rather, better and had better
The infinitive is used without to after rather, better and had better.

• You had rather visit him.
• I would rather wait.
• You had better consult a doctor.

After some prepositions like except, but, save and than

• She can do everything but cook.
• She did nothing except cry.