Use of the infinitive
Mistakes are frequently made by using the infinitive without to after the following verbs, which do not require it.
321. Can + infinitive without to
Don’t say: My mother can to swim very well.
√ Say: My mother can swim very well.
Note: Always write the negative form cannot as one word. Alternatively, the short form can’t can be used informally.
322. Could + infinitive without to
Don’t say: I could not to see you yesterday.
√ Say: I could not/couldn’t see you yesterday.
323. May + infinitive without to
Don’t say: May I to visit you next weekend?
√ Say: May I visit you next weekend?
324. Might f infinitive without to
Don’t say: He might to come in the morning.
√ Say: He might come in the morning.
325. Must + infinitive without to
Don’t say: I must to see her at her office.
√ Say: I must see her at her office.
326. Let + infinitive without to
Don’t say: Tom’s father would not let him to go out.
√ Say: Tom’s father would not let him go out.
327. Make (to force) + infinitive without to
Don’t say: You can’t make Emma to understand.
√ Say: You can’t make Emma understand.
328. See infinitive without to
Don’t say: They saw him to leave the house.
√ Say:They saw him leave the house.
Note: “They saw turn leaving me house.” is also correct
329. Watch + infinitive without to
Don’t say: I watched the girls to play hockey.
√ Say: I watched the girls play hockey.
Note:Â “I watched the girls playing hockey.” is also correct
330. Hear + infinitive without to
Don’t say: We heard him to speak in English.
√ Say: We heard him speak in English.
Note: “We heard him speaking in English.” is also correct
331. Feel + infinitive without to
Don’t say: I could feel her heart to beat.
√ Say: I could feel her heart beat.
Or: I could feel her heart beating.
Note: if the verbs make, see, watch, hear, feel, are used in the passive, to must be used –> Her was seen to leave the house. He was heard to speak in English.