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Teacher cue
B1 · English Grammar

Infinitives
with To

She went to the library to study.

to + base verb four uses
The structure

Four uses, one form: to + base verb

a
to express purpose — "What for?"
b
verb + direct object + infinitive
c
verb + infinitive (no object)
d
adjective + infinitive
a · Purpose

Why someone does something

She went to the library to study. (Why? To study.)
He called me to ask for help.
I save money to travel every summer.
b · Verb + object + infinitive

A person comes between

advisetellwarn persuadeaskencourage inviteremindteach
She told me to be quiet.
My teacher encouraged me to apply for the scholarship.
c · d  Verb or adjective + infinitive

No object in between

agreewantdecidehope needplanrefuseoffer
I want to see that film.
He refused to answer the question.
It is easy to understand.
She was happy to hear the news.
⚠ Watch out

Common mistakes

She told me ^ be quiet.

She told me to be quiet.

He went to the shop for buy bread.

He went to the shop to buy bread.

I want ^ go home.

I want to go home.

It's important ^ study every day.

It's important to study every day.

Now it's your turn

Let's
practice.

Say the answer out loud — then tap to check.

Practice 1
tap the blank to reveal

Fill the gap

She went to the gym(exercise)
My parents encouraged me(apply)for the job.
I decided(leave)early.
It's hard(understand)without context.
He warned us(not / touch)it.
Practice 2
tap a sentence to reveal the error

Spot the mistake

After the interview he agreedA to acceptingB the job andC started the followingD Monday.

Bto accepting → to accept

✓ to + base verb

My parents want to buyA a house nearB the sea, butC the prices isD too high this year.

Dis → are

✓ prices is plural → are

He refused answeringA the question, soB the journalist askedC it againD.

AHe refused answering → He refused to answer

✓ refuse + to-infinitive

Practice 3
tap to reveal a model answer

Complete the sentence

I save money
My teacher encouraged me
It's easy
They decided
Speak & write

Your turn

Use to + base verb in each answer.

Why did you come to this class today? (purpose)
What has someone advised or told you to do recently?
What do you want to do this weekend?
What is hard/easy for you to do in English?
Recap

Remember this

Purpose
to + verb answers “why?”
Verb + person
tell / ask / warn someone to…
Verb + to
want / decide / refuse to…
Adjective + to
easy / happy / ready to…

Purpose is to + verb, never for + verb: I went out to buy bread.

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