Editing Infinitive (section)

===Uses of the infinitive===
The bare infinitive and the ''to''-infinitive have a variety of uses in English. The two forms are mostly in [[complementary distribution]] – certain contexts call for one, and certain contexts for the other; they are not normally interchangeable, except in occasional instances like after the verb ''help'', where either can be used.

The main uses of infinitives (or infinitive phrases) are varied:
*[[complement (grammar)|Complement]]ing the [[do-support|dummy auxiliary]] ''do'', e.g., "I do '''like''' coffee but I don't '''care''' for tea."
*In a bare infinitive form as [[dative case|an object complement]], i.e. {{endash}} 
:# to complement a [[English modal verbs|modal auxiliary verb]], "I can't '''breathe'''" or "I can '''see''' clearly now."
:# to complement a [[direct object]] that {{ndash}}
:::a. follows a verb of perception such as ''see'', ''watch'' or ''hear'', e.g. "We saw it '''fall'''" or "I can hear the birds '''sing'''."
:::b. follows a verb of causation such as ''make'', ''bid'', or ''have'', e.g. "Make it '''stop''' or "We'll have them '''call''' you."
:::c. follows a verb of permission, e.g. "Let me '''ask''' you something."
*As a bare infinitive that comprises a phrase rendered in the vestigial [[permissive mood]], e.g. "Let it '''be'''." 
*As a bare infinitive that comprises a phrase rendered as a [[hortative]] utterance, e.g. "Let's '''leave'''."
*As complements of certain [[fossil word|fossil phrase]]s such as ''[[had better]]'' and ''[[would rather]]'' (with bare infinitive), ''in order to'', ''as if to'', ''[[am to]]/is to/are to''. 
*As a noun phrase, expressing its action or state in an abstract, general way that functions, e.g. as {{ndash}}
:# the [[subject (grammar)|subject]] of a clause: "'''To err''' is human" or "'''To know''' me is to love me." 
:# the [[object (grammar)|object]] of a [[predicative expression]]: "What you should do is '''make''' a list" or "To know me is '''to love me'''".
*[[Adverb]]ially:
:# to express purpose, intent or result, as the ''to''-infinitive can have the meaning of ''in order to'', e.g. "I closed the door [in order] '''to block''' out any noise." 
:# to characterize and adjective, e.g., "keen '''to get''' on" or "nice '''to listen''' to".
*[[Adjective|Adjectivally]], characterizing a noun, e.g. "a request '''to see''' someone" or "the method '''to use'''."
*In [[ellipsis (linguistics)|elliptical]] questions (direct or indirect): "I don't know where '''to go'''." 
*In [[Sentence clause structure#Incomplete sentences|sentence fragment]] that constitutes an [[interrogative]] {{ndash}} 
:# the bare infinitive is used after ''why'', e.g., "Why '''reveal''' it?"
:# the ''to-'' infinitive is used:
:::a. after ''whom'', e.g., "Whom to '''believe'''?"
:::b. after ''what'', e.g., "What to '''do'''?"
:::c. after ''when'', e.g., "When to '''surrender'''?"
:::d. after ''where'', e.g., "Where to '''go'''?"
:::e. after ''how'', e.g., "How to '''know'''?"

The infinitive typically is the [[dictionary form]] or citation form of a verb. The form listed in a dictionary entry is the bare infinitive, but the ''to''-infinitive is often used when defining other verbs, e.g.
:'''<big>amble</big> (verb)'''
:'''ambled; ambling'''
:''intransitive verb''
:#to walk slowly
:#to stroll without a particular aim

For further detail and examples of the uses of infinitives in English, see [[Uses of English verb forms#Bare infinitive|Bare infinitive]] and [[Uses of English verb forms#To-infinitive|''To''-infinitive]] in the article on uses of English verb forms.