bare infinitive

Frequency: 8.025.0 per million words

An infinitive form of a verb without the word 'to', often used after modal verbs.

infinitiveADJECTIVE + NOUN

Categories:

bare

Examples (10)

  • Modal verbs generally take the bare infinitive.
  • After modal verbs like 'can', 'should', 'will', we use the bare infinitive.
  • You must use a bare infinitive after 'let' or 'make'.
  • The teacher explained that the bare infinitive follows auxiliary verbs.
  • Could you please use the bare infinitive in this clause?
  • He decided to omit 'to' and use the bare infinitive.
  • The rule states that the bare infinitive is required here.
  • I heard him speak using a bare infinitive.
  • She helped me understand the concept of the bare infinitive.
  • To construct a proper sentence, sometimes you need a bare infinitive.