Verbs Patterns in English Grammar
In English grammar, verbs can indeed be divided into two broad categories:
infinitive verbs and auxiliary verbs.
Infinitive Verbs:
Infinitive verbs are the base form of a verb, typically preceded by the particle "to." They are used to express the general idea or concept of the verb without specifying tense, subject, or aspect. Infinitive verbs can function as different parts of speech, including nouns, adjectives, or adverbs, depending on their context.
Examples:
👉To run (infinitive used as a noun): "Running is good exercise."
👉To study (infinitive used as an adjective): "She has a lot of studying to do."
👉To quickly finish (infinitive used as an adverb): "He worked to quickly finish the task."
💢Here are the affirmative and negative forms of the Infinitive Verbs
To be:
Affirmative : To be
Negative : Not to be
To have:
Affirmative : To have
Negative : Not to have
To do:
Affirmative : TO do
Negative : Not to do
To work:
Affirmative : To work
Negative : Not to work
To eat:
Affirmative : To eat
Negative : Not to eat
To go:
Affirmative : To go
Negative : Not to go
To run:
Affirmative : To run
Negative : Not to run
To come:
Affirmative : To come
Negative : Not to come
To think:
Affirmative : To think
Negative : Not to think
To play:
Affirmative : To play
Negative : Not to play
Auxiliary Verbs:
Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, are used in combination with the main verb to express various grammatical aspects, such as tense, mood, voice, and aspect. They assist the main verb in conveying additional information or nuances in a sentence. Auxiliary verbs do not typically function as the main verb in a sentence but instead support the main verb.
Examples:
👉She is running.
(The auxiliary verb "is" helps to indicate present continuous tense.)
👉They have finished.
(The auxiliary verb "have" helps to form the present perfect tense.)
👉He will come.
(The auxiliary verb "will" indicates future tense.)
🔰Auxiliary verbs can be further categorized into primary auxiliaries (be, have, do) and modal auxiliaries (can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must).
🔰Primary auxiliaries are used to form various verb constructions, while modal auxiliaries express modality, indicating possibility, ability, permission, obligation, or necessity.
🔰In summary, infinitive verbs are the base form of a verb and can function as different parts of speech, while auxiliary verbs assist the main verb in expressing grammatical aspects.
How infinitive verbs change according to tenses.
| Verb - To do | Affirmative | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Present Infinitive | To do | Not to do |
| Present Continuous Infinitive | To be doing | Not to be doing |
| Present Perfect Infinitive | To have done | Not to have done |
| Present Perfect Continuous Infinitive | To have been doing | Not to have been doing |
| Perfect Participle | having done | Not having done |
| Perfect Gerund | having done | Not having done |
| Present Infinitive (Passive Voice) | To be done | Not to be done |
| Present Perfect Infinitive (Passive Voice) | To have been done | Not to have been done |
