Lesson

Leaving out to-infinitives

Ellipsis with infinitives

≈ 20 min 8 block(s)

Text

What is 'Leaving out to-infinitives'?

This grammar point explains when the infinitive of a verb appears without the particle 'to' (the bare infinitive). In English, certain verbs and structures require the base form of the verb without 'to'. Knowing these contexts helps you produce correct, natural-sounding sentences in business and everyday English.

  • The bare infinitive is the verb in its base form (e.g., 'sign', 'deliver', 'discuss') without 'to'.
  • We leave out 'to' after modal verbs, certain causative and perception verbs, and in a few fixed expressions.
  • Choosing between 'to' + infinitive and the bare infinitive can change meaning or make a sentence ungrammatical.

Table

When we leave out 'to' (bare infinitive)

Structure When used Example
Modal verbs (can, must, should, will, etc.) To express ability, obligation, permission, etc. She can sign the contract tomorrow.
Causative verbs (make, let, have in some cases) To cause or allow someone to do something The manager made the intern deliver the presentation.
Perception verbs (see, hear, watch) — bare or -ing To report perceived actions I heard the team discuss the results.
After auxiliary forms (do/does/did, will, have) in questions and negatives Verb follows auxiliary without 'to' Did you send the invoice? / They will attend the meeting.
Fixed expressions (had better, would rather, sooner) Advice or preference You had better submit the report by Friday.
'Help' (both forms possible) 'Help' can be followed by bare infinitive or 'to' infinitive She helped me (to) prepare the slides.

Tip

Key Rule: When to omit 'to'

Remember these main triggers for the bare infinitive:

  • Modal verbs and auxiliary verbs: no 'to' after them (e.g., can, will, did).
  • Causative verbs like 'make' and 'let' use the bare infinitive after the object: make someone do, let someone do.
  • Perception verbs can use the bare infinitive to report a full action: hear/see someone do something.
  • Fixed expressions (had better, would rather) require the bare infinitive.

If a verb normally takes 'to' (e.g., 'decide to', 'plan to'), do not remove 'to'. Only omit 'to' in the specific contexts above.

Example

Examples in context

The manager let the intern review the contract.

We could discuss the proposal at tomorrow's meeting.

I heard the team present the results during the demo.

You had better finalize the budget before Friday.

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Watch out for these universal errors when working with infinitives:

  • Adding 'to' after modal verbs or after 'make'/'let' (e.g., incorrect: 'She can to sign').
  • Using the bare infinitive where 'to' is required (e.g., incorrect: 'They decided finish the project').
  • Confusing perception verbs use: mixing -ing and bare infinitive inappropriately (know the nuance).
  • Forgetting that 'help' allows both forms — using both forms inconsistently in the same text can sound odd.

When in doubt, check which verbs in the sentence govern the infinitive and whether they normally require 'to' or the bare form.

Quiz

Choose the correct sentence:

Hint: Focus on causative 'make' and the verb form after the object.

Quiz

Complete: The CEO made the intern _____ the presentation.

Hint: Think about the causative structure: make + object + base verb.

Quiz

Choose the sentence that uses the bare infinitive correctly:

Hint: Think about perception verbs and the simple action form.

Key Points

GrammarPoint

bare infinitive

grammar_point CEFR B1 //ˈbɛər ˌɪnfɪnɪtɪv//

The base form of a verb without 'to' (e.g., 'sign', 'deliver').

They made her resign.

GrammarPoint

to-infinitive

grammar_point CEFR B1 //tuː ˌɪnfɪnɪtɪv//

The infinitive form with 'to' (e.g., 'to sign', 'to deliver').

We decided to postpone the meeting.

Vocabulary

make (causative)

verb CEFR B2 //meɪk//

To cause someone to do something; with causative meaning it takes the bare infinitive after the object.

The CEO made the team revise the strategy.

Vocabulary

let (causative)

verb CEFR B2 //lɛt//

To allow someone to do something; it takes the bare infinitive after the object.

The supervisor let the consultant access the files.

Vocabulary

perception verb

noun CEFR B2 //pəˈsɛpʃən vɜːb//

A verb that relates to seeing or hearing (e.g., see, hear, watch); can be followed by bare infinitive or -ing with a nuance.

I saw the director sign the agreement.

Expression

had better

expression CEFR B2 //hæd ˈbɛtər//

A fixed expression giving strong advice; followed by the bare infinitive (e.g., 'had better finish').

You had better check the figures before sending them.