Master the basic verb form with "to" in front. Learn to use to go, to eat, to study, to sleep for purpose, after common verbs like want, need, like, and with adjectives like happy, ready, afraid.
The to-infinitive (to + verb) is one of the most common and useful verb forms in English. Master this essential structure to express purposes, desires, plans, and more in simple sentences.
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Use to + verb to explain WHY you do something (to express purpose).
Common mistake
Never use 'for + verb' for purpose. ✗ 'I study for learn.' ✓ 'I study to learn.' Use 'to', not 'for', before a verb.
The to-infinitive is the basic form of a verb with "to" in front. It's not conjugated (no -s, -ed, -ing). We use it in many common situations in English.
• to + base verb
• No conjugation: to go (not "to goes" or "to went")
• Examples: to eat, to sleep, to study, to work, to play
• Always the same form for all subjects
• I want to eat. (desire)
• I study to learn. (purpose)
• I'm happy to help. (feeling)
• To travel is fun. (subject)
• It's important to exercise. (adjective + to)
The to-infinitive is ALWAYS: to + base form of the verb (no -s, no -ed, no -ing).
✓ Correct: I want to go. She needs to study.
✗ Incorrect: I want to goes. She needs to studying.
Maria woke up early because she had many things to do. She needed to buy groceries and wanted to visit her friend.
After breakfast, she went to the store to buy fruit and bread. She was happy to find everything she needed.
In the afternoon, she decided to call her friend. "I'm ready to come over," she said. Her friend was glad to hear that.
In the evening, Maria was too tired to cook, so she ordered food. "It's nice to relax," she thought.
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The to-infinitive has four important uses in English. Learn these basic patterns to use it correctly.
| Use | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1. To Express Purpose | Action + to + verb (why) | • I study to learn English. • She works to earn money. • We eat to live. |
| 2. After Certain Verbs | Verb + to + verb | • I want to go. • She needs to study. • They like to dance. |
| 3. After Adjectives | Adjective + to + verb | • I'm happy to help. • He's ready to leave. • She's afraid to ask. |
| 4. As Subject/Object | To + verb + rest of sentence | • To learn is important. • To travel is fun. • My dream is to visit Japan. |
Complete these sentences with the correct to-infinitive use:
1. I go to the gym __________ (exercise). (purpose)
2. She wants __________ (visit) her family. (after verb)
3. He is ready __________ (start) the meeting. (after adjective)
4. __________ (read) books is relaxing. (subject)
5. They need __________ (buy) groceries. (after verb)
1. I go to the gym to exercise.
2. She wants to visit her family.
3. He is ready to start the meeting.
4. To read books is relaxing.
5. They need to buy groceries.
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We use the to-infinitive to explain why we do something. It answers the question "Why?" This is one of the most common uses.
• Subject + verb + to + base verb
• Answers the question: Why?
• Example: I study to learn. (Why do I study? To learn.)
• Example: She works to earn money. (Why does she work? To earn money.)
Remember: Use to + verb for purpose, not "for + verb."
Answer these "why" questions with to-infinitives:
1. Why do you go to school? (learn)
2. Why does he drink coffee? (wake up)
3. Why do they save money? (buy a house)
4. Why does she read books? (relax)
1. I go to school to learn.
2. He drinks coffee to wake up.
3. They save money to buy a house.
4. She reads books to relax.
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Many common English verbs are followed by the to-infinitive. These are some of the most important verbs to know for A2 level.
• I want to eat pizza.
• She wants to travel.
• They want to learn English.
• We want to see the movie.
Expresses desire or wish
• I need to study for the test.
• He needs to sleep.
• You need to practice English.
• She needs to buy groceries.
Expresses necessity or requirement
• I like to read books.
• She likes to dance.
• They like to swim.
• We like to watch movies.
Expresses enjoyment or preference
✓ I want to eat.
✗ I want eat.
✓ She needs to study.
✗ She needs study.
✓ I like to read books.
✗ I like to reads books.
✓ They want to go.
✗ They want to goes.
Choose a verb from the left and complete the sentence:
want to → I ___________ learn Spanish.
need to → She ___________ buy milk.
like to → We ___________ watch movies.
plan to → They ___________ travel next year.
hope to → I ___________ see you again.
try to → He ___________ exercise daily.
love to → She ___________ read novels.
hate to → I ___________ wake up early.
I want to learn Spanish.
She needs to buy milk.
We like to watch movies.
They plan to travel next year.
I hope to see you again.
He tries to exercise daily.
She loves to read novels.
I hate to wake up early.
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The to-infinitive is also used after certain adjectives and can be the subject or object of a sentence.
Happy to + verb
• I'm happy to help you.
• She's happy to see you.
• We're happy to be here.
Ready to + verb
• I'm ready to go.
• He's ready to start.
• They're ready to leave.
Glad to + verb
• I'm glad to meet you.
• She's glad to hear that.
• We're glad to help.
Afraid to + verb
• I'm afraid to ask.
Surprised to + verb
• I'm surprised to see you.
Sorry to + verb
• I'm sorry to hear that.
As Subject (Beginning)
• To learn English is important.
• To travel is fun.
• To exercise is healthy.
• To read books is relaxing.
Formal style. In speaking, we often use "It's + adjective + to + verb"
As Object (After "is")
• My dream is to visit Japan.
• Her goal is to learn English.
• The plan is to leave at 8.
• My job is to help customers.
Common after "is" or "are"
Instead of saying "To learn English is important," we often say:
• It's important to learn English.
• It's good to exercise regularly.
• It's nice to meet you.
• It's easy to use this app.
• It's difficult to understand.
• It's hard to find a job.
• It's necessary to study.
• It's fun to travel.
This pattern is more common in everyday speaking than starting with "To + verb."
This means "so [adjective] that [subject] cannot [verb]":
• I'm too tired to study. (I'm so tired that I cannot study.)
• The coffee is too hot to drink. (It's so hot that you cannot drink it.)
• She's too young to drive. (She's so young that she cannot drive.)
• He's too busy to help. (He's so busy that he cannot help.)
Complete these sentences correctly:
1. I'm happy __________ (help) you with your homework.
2. __________ (exercise) every day is healthy.
3. It's important __________ (drink) water.
4. She's too shy __________ (speak) in public.
5. My goal is __________ (learn) English fluently.
1. I'm happy to help you with your homework.
2. To exercise every day is healthy.
3. It's important to drink water.
4. She's too shy to speak in public.
5. My goal is to learn English fluently.
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❌ I want go to the cinema.
✓ I want to go to the cinema.
After 'want', always use 'to' + base verb
❌ She needs studying for the test.
✓ She needs to study for the test.
After 'need', use 'to' + base verb (not -ing form)
❌ I study for learn English.
✓ I study to learn English.
For purpose, use 'to' + verb (not 'for' + verb)
❌ He likes to reads books.
✓ He likes to read books.
After 'to', always use base verb (no -s, -ed, -ing)
❌ I'm happy for help you.
✓ I'm happy to help you.
After adjectives like 'happy', use 'to' + verb
❌ To learning English is important.
✓ To learn English is important.
To-infinitive is always 'to' + base verb (no -ing)
❌ They want to goes home.
✓ They want to go home.
After 'to', verb is always base form (go, not goes)
❌ I need to buying milk.
✓ I need to buy milk.
After 'to', use base verb (buy, not buying)
❌ She's ready for leave.
✓ She's ready to leave.
After 'ready', use 'to' + verb
❌ My dream is visit Japan.
✓ My dream is to visit Japan.
After 'is' when expressing goal/dream, use 'to' + verb
Master To Infinitive sentence building!
Drag and drop words to form correct sentences
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I want to learn English.
She needs to buy milk.
We go to school to study.
He likes to read books.
They plan to visit Paris.
I'm happy to help you.
It's important to exercise.
I try to eat healthy food.
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