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Senthilvelann Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
TO - preposition or infinitive
Dear Teachers,
How to decide whether a "to" is prepostion or a part of an infinitive?.
I need detailed explanation.
MSN.
How to decide whether a "to" is prepostion or a part of an infinitive?.
I need detailed explanation.
MSN.
Top answer
I think if it's followed by a bare infinitive it's "part of the infinitive" but I suggest that you write the sentence you doubt and we will try to help you.
- I think if it's followed by a bare infinitive it's "part of the infinitive" but I suggest that you write the sentence you doubt and we will try to help you.
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36 Answers
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I think if it's followed by a bare infinitive it's "part of the infinitive" but I suggest that you write the sentence you doubt and we will try to help you.
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A very silly answer: you have to check whether the word following "to" is a verb. 
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Hello
The to-infinitive 'to do' is not a prepositional phrase like 'to school'. But the 'to' in 'to do' is a preposition just like 'to' in 'to school' is a preposition.
The basic sense of 'to X' is 'in the direction toward X'. So 'to school' is 'towards school'. Even in the case of to-infinitives, 'to do' is, in its typical sense, 'toward the action do'. This will be understo
The to-infinitive 'to do' is not a prepositional phrase like 'to school'. But the 'to' in 'to do' is a preposition just like 'to' in 'to school' is a preposition.
The basic sense of 'to X' is 'in the direction toward X'. So 'to school' is 'towards school'. Even in the case of to-infinitives, 'to do' is, in its typical sense, 'toward the action do'. This will be understo
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My two cents.
Keep in mind that if "to" is followed by "the", "a", "an" (probably the most common words which follow "to"), it is certainly not part of an infinitive.
CJ
Keep in mind that if "to" is followed by "the", "a", "an" (probably the most common words which follow "to"), it is certainly not part of an infinitive.
CJ
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As a preposition, to followed by a bare infinitive is used to show purpose:
He came from Russia to attend the funeral.
I'm going home to see my pets.
He came from Russia to attend the funeral.
I'm going home to see my pets.
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Hello,
also got that problem with the the "to" wether it's a preposition or part of the infinitive.
What I need is something like a rule when forming sentences...
e.g.
I got used to moving in a foreign society.
Why is that correct?
All right, because the "to" is a preposition, but why? How do you kn
also got that problem with the the "to" wether it's a preposition or part of the infinitive.
What I need is something like a rule when forming sentences...
e.g.
I got used to moving in a foreign society.
Why is that correct?
All right, because the "to" is a preposition, but why? How do you kn
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I can't explain in terms of grammar, it's a rule I had to learn by heart:
You are/get used to doing something, but you used to do something. You can say "I'm used to my PC, I can't work on yours", but you can't say "I used to my PC". Whenever you can use (sorry!) a noun or pronoun after "to", then it's a preposition, so if you need a verb, it'll be in the -ing form. When you
You are/get used to doing something, but you used to do something. You can say "I'm used to my PC, I can't work on yours", but you can't say "I used to my PC". Whenever you can use (sorry!) a noun or pronoun after "to", then it's a preposition, so if you need a verb, it'll be in the -ing form. When you
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Hi pieanne, this early thread is fitting for my question and so I'm going to get on with it.
you said:
I can't explain in terms of grammar, it's a rule I had to learn by heart:You are/get used to doing something, but you used to do something. You can say "I'm used to my PC, I can't work on yours", but you can't say "I used to my PC". Whenever you can use (sorry
you said:
I can't explain in terms of grammar, it's a rule I had to learn by heart:You are/get used to doing something, but you used to do something. You can say "I'm used to my PC, I can't work on yours", but you can't say "I used to my PC". Whenever you can use (sorry
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I am used to: "to" is a preposition, so requires either a noun, pronoun, or gerund.
I use/d to: "to" is not a preposition, requires a bare infinitive.
I use/d to: "to" is not a preposition, requires a bare infinitive.
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I OBJECT TO PLAYING.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU.
SHE IS USED TO WORKING AT NIGHT.
THEY ARE ACUSTOMMED TO HELPING.
SHE WANTS TO GO THERE.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU.
SHE IS USED TO WORKING AT NIGHT.
THEY ARE ACUSTOMMED TO HELPING.
SHE WANTS TO GO THERE.
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