When to use the particle to in English. To To Or Not To To: when to put to and when not to. after all adjectives

You may have been told that you shouldn't start or end a sentence with a preposition, but that's not always the case. Let's take a closer look at this issue. What is a preposition? A preposition is a word that creates a connection between other words. As you probably know, there are, for example, “above,” “by,” over” and, for example, “before,” “after,” and “since.”

Preposition at the end of the sentence

When can a sentence end with a preposition? Here are some examples:

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What did you step on? – what did you step on?
What are you looking at? - What are you looking at?

The point is that a sentence will not make sense without a preposition. We can't tell What did you step? or What are you looking?– we have to say What did you step on? And What are you looking at?, so that the sentence becomes grammatically complete. Surely you will say - what if you use a preposition at the beginning of a sentence - On what did you step? From a grammatical point of view, such a sentence is quite correct, but it will sound somewhat strange, since no English-speaking person speaks like that.

But you don't always need to end sentences with prepositions. If, by dropping the preposition, we do not change the meaning of the sentence, then there is no need for it, for example, some people ask: “ Where are you at?" If we drop the preposition, we get “ Where are you? – i.e. the meaning of the sentence does not change; in both cases we ask: “Where are you?”

Unnecessary prepositions

The problem with unnecessary prepositions does not always concern their position at the end of a sentence. Unnecessary prepositions can also appear in the middle. Students often mistakenly use an additional preposition that is absolutely unnecessary to create meaning, for example,

The cat jumped off of the bag ( not correct) / The cat jumped off the bag (correct)
We are outside of the garden ( not correct) / We are outside the garden (correct)

In the above examples, the adverbs off and outside already contain the necessary meaning, so prepositions have no place here.

Sentences can also end with prepositions if used, which is not used without a preposition, since a preposition is an integral part of a phrasal verb, for example, “Cheer up,” “log on,” “run over,” etc.

I wish he would stay in.
Put the coat on.
Where do you come from?

There are other cases where a sentence ends with a preposition, for example in shortened answers to a question:

Do you want to play a game of chess? - I'd love to.
Are you looking for a hoody? – Some kind of.

Preposition at the beginning of the sentence

What do you say if we put a preposition at the beginning of the sentence? Do you think this is acceptable? In English, it is customary to begin sentences with a subject, but there are exceptions. Please note the following examples:

On the one hand, this is right, but on the other hand...
After lessons, they decided to go to MacDonald’s
By noon, I will finish the housework
To be honest, I don’t trust him
In my opinion, you have a good job

As can be seen from the examples, prepositions still occur at the beginning of a sentence - in this case they are part of an introductory word or phrase that emphasizes the speaker’s opinion, and these introductory constructions are always separated by a comma.

Cases when the infinitive is used without the particle "to":

1. After modal verbs must, can (could), may (might), need and auxiliary verbs shall (should), will (would). Examples:

• She can"t speak to you.
  She can not(to) talk to you.
• He should give her some money.
  He must(= he should) give her money.
• Shall I talk to him?
  May be, should I talk to him?
• Would you like a cup of coffee?
  Don't want to a cup of coffee?
• I might stay another night in the hotel.
  It's possible that I will spend one more night at the hotel.
• They must leave before 10.00 a.m.
  They must leave before 10 am.
• May I come in ?
  Can should I come in?
• Need he come here?
  If necessary should he come here?

2. In design" verb + object + infinitive without particle to " (verb + object + zero infinitive) after verbs to see(see), to watch(observe), to hear(hear), to feel(feel) and some other verbs of perception. Examples:

• He saw her fall from the cliff.
  He saw, how is she fell from the cliff.
• We heard them close the door.
  He heard like them closed door.
• They saw us walk towards the lake.
  They saw, like us went to the lake.
• She felt the spider crawl up her leg.
  She felt like (up) her leg crawls spider.

3. After verbs to make(force) and to let(allow, allow to be done) in the construction " make/let + object + infinitive without particle to " (make/let + object + zero infinitive). Examples:

• Her parents let her stay out late.
  Parents allow to her not to come from the street until late.
• Let's go to the cinema tonight.
  Let's go to to the cinema tonight.
• You made me love you.
  You forced me fall in love into you (to love you).
• Don't make me study that boring grammar book!
  Not force me study this boring grammar (book).

NOTE that when the verbs listed in paragraphs 2 and 3 are used in the passive voice, next to them the infinitive is used with the particle "to":

• I am made to sweep the floor every day.
  me every day force revenge floors.
• She was made to eat fish even though she hated it.
  Her forced to eat fish, although she hates it.
• He was seen to leave the house.
  Seen, How is he came out from home.

4. After the expression " had better" (it would be better). Examples:

• We had better take some warm clothing.
  We'd better take(bring) warm clothes.
• She had better ask him not to come.
  She'd better ask he won't come (tomorrow).
• You "d better not smile at a crocodile!
  Better not smile crocodile!
• We had better reserve a room in the hotel.
  We better book in advance hotel room.
• You "d better give me your address.
  You would (better) give give me your address.
• They had better work harder on their grammar!
  They should practice more grammar.

5. After the expression " would rather"(would prefer, would rather like) when it comes to about the speaker’s own actions, desires. Examples:

• I would rather have a cup of tea.
  I I'd like to drink it Cup of coffee.
• I would rather stay at home.
  I would prefer to stay Houses.

Good afternoon dear friends!

Let's sharpen your grammatical knowledge today and talk about this seemingly very small, but important detail. In this article I will tell you everything about when the particle to is inserted in English. After all, this only at first glance seems like an insignificant detail, but sometimes the meaning of the statement depends on it.

From this article you will learn:

Where can you most often find her?

Many of us learned infinitives with to at school: to play, to swim, to go. What it is? We are talking about the verb in its initial form. In Russian they end in -т: play, swim, walk. In English this is indicated by to. Did you repeat the previous one?

Signs of the infinitive

But the infinitive does not always follow the particle to; there are also cases when the initial form is in front of you, but there is no need to put the particle. How to find out? You need to remember certain verbs.

First, I will talk about those with which to is used. For example, Sam wants to be a film director when he grows up (Sam wants to be a film director when he grows up). If after want you want to put a verb, then it must be in the initial form and you must have to with you. Let's look at other examples of this rule in the table:

Look at another diagram. Everything is clearly visible on it!

When an object is needed

Some words also require a to infinitive after them. But they must necessarily come before the name or. You have already met some of them in the previous table. This means that they can be built according to the rule of two structures. For example, I want people to be happy (I want people to be happy). People is an indirect object; in this case, it is a mandatory component. Let's look at a table with other words, the use of which is based on the same principle:

If you need to construct negative sentences, then proceed as follows: He warned us not to go to the forest (He warned us not to go to the forest). As you can see in the example, you need to add the not particle before to. All of the above operate in the same way.

where to not meet

Some verbs require an infinitive after themselves without this particle. These primarily include modal ones. Remember them? This should, can, could, must, may shall, would, will. For example, You should call your sister (You should call your sister). The verb is used here in its pure form. And even in the third person singular he does not add s to himself: He could swim when he was 5 (He could swim when he was 5).

Construction with modal verbs

However, there are also modals that go along with to. This is ought to and have to. My lessons start early so I have to wake up at 6 (My lessons start early, so I have to wake up at 6).

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There are also non-modal ones, which obey the rule without to. The most popular of them are let and make. They are usually always used with an object. Let me know when you get there (Let me know when you get there). My mom made me do my homework (My mom made me do my homework). Me in both examples is an object.

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I was with you, a philologist of the English language, Ekaterina Martynova.

I wish everyone a good mood!

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I have already written about this impersonal form of the verb in English earlier. The article is called " ". I recommend reading it first as it helps you get a general idea of ​​the infinitive. Let me remind you that an infinitive is an indefinite form of a verb. The standard form of the infinitive in English is formed using the base (dictionary) form, which is preceded by the particle to. But there are a certain number of cases where it is used without this particle. Here we are already talking about such a concept as “naked infinitive” - bare infinitive. To clearly articulate when we need infinitive with particle to , and when without it, I write this article.

But before we move directly to listing these cases, I would like to repeat what forms the English infinitive can have (using the example of the verb to leave– leave, leave):

1. Present Active– (to) leave
   

   I am ready to see him now. – I’m ready to see him now (present)

   George wants to find a new job next month. – George wants to find a new job next month (future)

2. Present Passive– (to) be left
   

   She expects to be presented a special gift on the anniversary. She is expecting a special gift for her anniversary.

   He hopes to be invited at his daughter’s wedding. He hopes to be invited to his daughter’s wedding.

3. Present Continuous Active– (to) be leaving
   

   My mother seems to be painting the walls. “I think my mother is painting the walls.”

   They seem to be building a house. - It seems they are building a house.

4. Perfect Active– (to) have left
   

   He claims to have infected with flu about 10 people. – He states that he infected about ten people with the flu.

   I seem to have made a short film. – I think I made a short film.

5. Perfect Passive– (to) have been left
   

   A famous journalist is said to have been killed in Egypt. – They say that a famous journalist was killed in Egypt.

   The unique painting is said to have been sold for $20 millions. – They say that the famous painting was sold for 20 million dollars.

6. Perfect Continuous– (to) have been leaving
   

   Courtney claims to have been working for this company for 3 years. – Courtney states that she has been working for this company for three years.

   They are known to have been developing a new medicine for several years. – It is known that they have been developing a new drug for several years.

Infinitive with the particle to

So, we move on to the main topic of this article. I would like to list the cases when it is necessary to use the standard form of the infinitive with a particle to. This particle will appear before the infinitive if:

1. We express a purpose defined by an infinitive verb.
   

   She returned home to ask for some extra money. “She returned home to ask for more money.

   We are leaving in ten minutes to catch the train to London. We are leaving in 10 minutes to catch the train to London.

2. The infinitive will follow the following verbs: advise, agree, appear, decide, expect, hope, manage, offer, promise, refuse, seem, want, afford, pretend and etc.
   

   He offered me to stay at home instead of going out. – Instead of going somewhere, he invited me to stay at home.

   Why did you refuse to conduct these negotiations? – Why did you refuse to negotiate?

3. Before the infinitive there is a combination “definite verb +”. The list of words acts as certain verbs: know, decide, ask, learn, remember and etc.
   

   She wants to know why you decided to spend your vacation abroad. – She wants to know why you decided to spend your holidays abroad.

   I explained how to use the new washing-machine. – I explained how to use the new washing machine.

   By the way, if a sentence has two infinitives with the particle to, which are connected by English unions and, or, particle to before the second one can be omitted.

   I didn't decide where to go and stay. – I haven’t decided where to go or where to stay.

   My boss explained how to write an article and take photos. – My boss explained how to write an article and take photographs.

4. The infinitive is used after such as glad, nice, happy, sorry, willing, afraid, ashamed and etc.
   

   I am willing to overlook your mistakes, but I can’t do this. “I want to ignore your mistakes, but I can’t do that.”

   It's nice to see you again. - Nice to see you again.

5. It is preceded by:
   

   My friend is too shy to take the initiative in acquainting with people. – My friend is too shy to take the initiative when meeting people.

   I've got enough money to buy a flat downtown. – I have enough money to buy an apartment in the city center.

6. We make a proposal based on the design " it+be+adjective" (+ of+ or ).
   

   It was nice of him to tell the truth about his past. “It’s very good that he told the truth about his past.”

   It's important to receive all necessary books before we start our lessons. – It is important that all the necessary books arrive before we start studying.

7. It is accompanied by the expression would like / would love / would prefer. Each of them implies that someone would like to do something.
   

   I would like to move to London. - I would like to move to London.

   I would prefer to go by car. – I would prefer to go by car.

8. There is a word in the sentence only, which helps express dissatisfaction with some result or event.
   

   She went to work only to meet her angry boss. She went to work only to meet with an angry boss.

   I rushed to the railway station just to make sure that the train had already left. “I rushed to the station only to make sure that the train had already left.

9. We use it after such nouns and pronouns as something, somewhere, anyone, nothing. This is usually how we show that something is necessary or possible.
   

   Let's give them something to talk about. - Let's give them something to talk about.

   Take something to eat on our trip. - Take some food for the road.

10. The sentence contains a combination be+the first / the second, etc. / next / last / best and etc.
    

    You were the first to congratulate me with my birthday. – You were the first to congratulate me on my birthday.

    I am the next to choose where to go on holidays. – Next I choose where to go on vacation.

Infinitive without particle to

Cases in which we use infinitive without particle to , that is bare infinitive, far less. But you definitely need to know them. You don't want to make grammatical errors in this topic, do you? So we use the bare infinitive after:

1. ( , , , , etc). The exception is modal verbs / / / which are used with the infinitive with to.
   

   We should tell our parents about the party. – We should tell our parents about the party.

   He must apologize for his words. “He must apologize for his words.”

   She ought to be more polite to other people. “She should be more polite to people.”

2. After verbs let, make, see, hear, feel.
   

   We saw them kiss. “We saw them kissing.”

   I won't let her marry without my blessing. “I won’t let her get married without my blessing.”

   But, if these verbs are used in, they are accompanied by an infinitive with a particle to.

   He was heard to say either he was trying to kill someone or someone was trying to kill him. “They heard him say that either he was trying to kill someone or someone was trying to kill him.”

3. After expressions / would rather.
   

   You'd better sit down. - You better sit down.

   I'd rather go to jail than serve in the military. “I would rather go to prison than serve in the armed forces.”

4. In interrogative sentences that begin with the words Why not? (why not).
   

   Why not go to the cinema? – Why not go to the cinema?

At first it may seem that there is no end to the information here! But actually it is not. While learning English, you somehow come across the mentioned verbs, phrases, constructions, and remember which infinitive goes with them in a complex. Here is just a list of situations that may come your way. Don't be confused!

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Test

Using the infinitive with the particle to and without the particle to

An extremely important preposition in English. When should it be used and when not? I'll tell you in this article.

Hello guys! Today I would like to tell you about a very important preposition in English. About the preposition “to”. Many people find it quite difficult at the beginning of learning. Yes, I remember myself too. I constantly asked the tutor to tell me about the rules for using it. Very often I got confused, used it both when necessary and when not necessary. So let's see in what cases we should use it and when not.

Use of the preposition “to” with the Dative Case.

There are two cool set expressions with which “to” is also used: to be honest (to be honest), to tell you the truth (to tell the truth).

To be honest, I don’t like football.

(To be honest, I don't like football)

To tell you the truth, I don’t know where to go.

(To tell the truth, I don't know where to go)

That's it friends. I have told you about the main uses of the preposition “to” in English. Of course, there are other situations in which it should be used in the same way. But these are mostly fixed expressions that you just have to remember. I will talk about them in my next articles 😉

Keep learning English and take care of yourself!

» When to is used after and with a verb in English