{"id":273184,"date":"2026-09-07T00:41:44","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T05:41:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/?p=273184"},"modified":"2026-09-07T00:41:44","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T05:41:44","slug":"uses-to-infinitive-b1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/es\/blog\/uses-to-infinitive-b1\/","title":{"rendered":"Mastering &#8216;To + Infinitive&#8217; in English (B1 Grammar)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"lc-answer\"><strong>The &#8216;to + infinitive&#8217; form is a core part of English grammar, used to express purpose, follow specific verbs and adjectives, and combine with question words.<\/strong> This versatile structure helps you explain <em>why<\/em> you do something, <em>what<\/em> you want to do, or <em>how<\/em> to do it. It always starts with <span data-no-translation>to<\/span> followed by the base form of a verb, like <span data-no-translation>to go<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>to learn<\/span>, o <span data-no-translation>to be<\/span>. The negative form is simply <span data-no-translation>not to + infinitive<\/span>, for example, <span data-no-translation>not to forget<\/span>. You will find it essential for giving reasons, describing intentions, and asking for directions. Mastering these uses will make your English sentences much clearer and more natural, helping you communicate more effectively at the B1 level and beyond.<\/div>\n<h2>What is the &#8216;To + Infinitive&#8217; Form?<\/h2>\n<p>The infinitive is the basic form of a verb. For example, <span data-no-translation>go<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>eat<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>study<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>The &#8216;to + infinitive&#8217; form means you add <span data-no-translation>to<\/span> before the base verb. This is the form you often see in dictionaries.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ejemplos: <span data-no-translation>to go<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>to eat<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>to study<\/span>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To make it negative, simply put <span data-no-translation>not<\/span> antes de <span data-no-translation>to<\/span>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ejemplos: <span data-no-translation>not to go<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>not to eat<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>not to study<\/span>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"lc-cta lc-cta-blended\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding:30px;margin:30px 0;text-align:center;color:#fff;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0E63C4,#0A2540);\"><h3 style=\"color:#fff;font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 8px;\">\ud83c\udf93 Aprende ingl\u00e9s con el m\u00e9todo mixto<\/h3><p style=\"margin:0 0 10px;opacity:.95;\">Grupos reducidos \u00b7 Tutor de IA disponible las 24 horas del d\u00eda, los 7 d\u00edas de la semana \u00b7 Preparaci\u00f3n para los ex\u00e1menes de Cambridge<\/p><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;font-size:18px;\">Planes de <strong><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">$<\/span>39<\/bdi><\/span><\/strong> <s style=\"opacity:.6;\"><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\"><bdi><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" translate=\"no\" dir=\"auto\">$<\/span>79<\/bdi><\/span><\/s> al mes<\/p><a href=\"\/es\/\" style=\"display:inline-block;margin-top:8px;padding:13px 30px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;background:#fff;color:#0E63C4;\">Reserva tu clase<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>How Do We Use 'To + Infinitive' for Purpose?<\/h2>\n<p>Utilizamos <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span> to explain <em>why<\/em> you do something. It shows the reason or purpose for an action.<\/p>\n<p>Think of it like answering the question 'Why?'.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I went to the shop to buy some milk.<\/span> (Why did I go? To buy milk.)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>She studies hard to pass her exams.<\/span> (Why does she study? To pass her exams.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Which Verbs Are Followed by 'To + Infinitive'?<\/h2>\n<p>Many verbs in English are directly followed by <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span>. You need to learn these common patterns.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some frequent verbs that take <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>choose<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>decide<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>want<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>would like<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>try<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>promise<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>expect<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>remember<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>forget<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>need<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>plan<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>learn<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>offer<\/span>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These verbs often express desires, intentions, or future actions.<\/p>\n<h2>When Do We Use 'To + Infinitive' After Adjectives?<\/h2>\n<p>You can often use <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span> after many adjectives. This structure describes <em>what<\/em> the adjective refers to or <em>why<\/em> someone feels a certain way.<\/p>\n<p>Common adjectives include: <span data-no-translation>happy<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>sad<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>easy<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>difficult<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>important<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>surprised<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>glad<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h2>'To + Infinitive' with Question Words<\/h2>\n<p>Some verbs can be followed by a question word (<span data-no-translation>what<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>where<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>how<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>who<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>when<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>which<\/span>) and then <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>This structure helps to ask or explain <em>how<\/em> to do something, <em>what<\/em> to do, etc.<\/p>\n<p>Common verbs for this pattern include: <span data-no-translation>ask<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>decide<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>explain<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>forget<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>know<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>show<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>tell<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>understand<\/span>.<\/p>\n<table>\n<caption>Summary of &#x27;To + Infinitive&#x27; Uses<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Uso<\/th>\n<th>Patr\u00f3n<\/th>\n<th>Ejemplo<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>Purpose<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>I went to the store to buy milk.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>After certain verbs<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>verb + to + infinitive<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>She decided to study abroad.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>After many adjectives<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>adjective + to + infinitive<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>It's easy to learn English.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>With question words<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>verb + question word + to + infinitive<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>He knows how to fix it.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>Ejemplos<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I want to learn English.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>They decided to travel next year.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>He promised not to be late.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>It's important to study every day.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I was happy to see you.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>This problem is difficult to solve.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I don't know what to do.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>Can you tell me where to go?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>She showed me how to use the machine.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Pr\u00e1ctica<\/h2>\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-1075\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"1075\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"I03 L6 GRAMMAR Uses of to + infinitive\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"lc-cta lc-cta-placement\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding:30px;margin:30px 0;text-align:center;color:#fff;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#2B87DA,#29C4A9);\"><h3 style=\"color:#fff;font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 8px;\">\u270d\ufe0f \u00bfNo sabes en qu\u00e9 nivel est\u00e1s?<\/h3><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;opacity:.95;\">Realiza nuestra prueba de nivel gratuita y recibe comentarios personalizados de examinadores certificados por Cambridge.<\/p><a href=\"\/es\/ingles\/academia\/free-test\/\" style=\"display:inline-block;margin-top:8px;padding:13px 30px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;background:#0A2540;color:#fff;\">Realice nuestra prueba de nivel GRATUITA<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>Errores habituales de los hispanohablantes<\/h2>\n<p><strong>1. Using 'for + -ing' instead of 'to + infinitive' for purpose.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Spanish speakers often translate 'para' directly, leading to this common error. In English, to express purpose, we use <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Incorrecto: <span data-no-translation>I went to the library for studying.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Correcto: <span data-no-translation>I went to the library to study.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2. Using a gerund (-ing) after verbs that require 'to + infinitive'.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Certain verbs <em>must<\/em> be followed by <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span>, not the -ing form. Always check which form a verb takes.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Incorrecto: <span data-no-translation>I want going home.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Correcto: <span data-no-translation>I want to go home.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Incorrecto: <span data-no-translation>She decided travelling.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Correcto: <span data-no-translation>She decided to travel.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Preguntas m\u00e1s frecuentes<\/h2>\n<h3>What is the main difference between 'to + infinitive' and the gerund (-ing form)?<\/h3>\n<p>En general, <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span> often expresses purpose, future actions, or intentions. The gerund often refers to general activities, completed actions, or follows prepositions. For example, <span data-no-translation>I like to swim<\/span> (an activity I enjoy doing) versus <span data-no-translation>I like swimming<\/span> (the general activity of swimming). Some verbs can take both with a change in meaning.<\/p>\n<h3>Can I use 'to + infinitive' to talk about future plans?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, absolutely! Many verbs related to planning and future intentions are followed by <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span>. Por ejemplo, <span data-no-translation>I plan to visit my family next month<\/span> o <span data-no-translation>She hopes to start a new job soon<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h3>Is 'to + infinitive' common in formal or informal English?<\/h3>\n<p><span data-no-translation>To + infinitive<\/span> is very common in both formal and informal English. It's a fundamental grammatical structure used in everyday conversation and academic writing alike.<\/p>\n<h3>How can I remember which verbs take 'to + infinitive'?<\/h3>\n<p>The best way is through practice and exposure. Read a lot, listen to English, and pay attention to these patterns. You can also group verbs by meaning (e.g., verbs of desire: <span data-no-translation>want to<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>hope to<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>wish to<\/span>; verbs of planning: <span data-no-translation>plan to<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>decide to<\/span>). Consistent practice will help you remember.<\/p>\n<h2>Lecciones relacionadas<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/langcom.org\/es\/?p=273043\">Gerunds and infinitives<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/langcom.org\/es\/?p=273084\">Gerunds and infinitives<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The &#8216;to + infinitive&#8217; form is a core part of English grammar, used to express purpose, follow specific verbs and adjectives, and combine with question words. This versatile structure helps you explain why you do something, what you want to do, or how to do it. It always starts with to followed by the base [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":192,"featured_media":274044,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"bwfblock_default_font":"","langcom_teaches":"Gerunds and infinitives","langcom_cefr":"B1","langcom_type":"grammar","langcom_faq":"[{\"q\": \"What is the main difference between 'to + infinitive' and the gerund (-ing form)?\", \"a\": \"Generally, <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span> often expresses purpose, future actions, or intentions. The gerund often refers to general activities, completed actions, or follows prepositions. For example, <span data-no-translation>I like to swim<\/span> (an activity I enjoy doing) versus <span data-no-translation>I like swimming<\/span> (the general activity of swimming). Some verbs can take both with a change in meaning.\"}, {\"q\": \"Can I use 'to + infinitive' to talk about future plans?\", \"a\": \"Yes, absolutely! Many verbs related to planning and future intentions are followed by <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span>. For instance, <span data-no-translation>I plan to visit my family next month<\/span> or <span data-no-translation>She hopes to start a new job soon<\/span>.\"}, {\"q\": \"Is 'to + infinitive' common in formal or informal English?\", \"a\": \"<span data-no-translation>To + infinitive<\/span> is very common in both formal and informal English. It's a fundamental grammatical structure used in everyday conversation and academic writing alike.\"}, {\"q\": \"How can I remember which verbs take 'to + infinitive'?\", \"a\": \"The best way is through practice and exposure. Read a lot, listen to English, and pay attention to these patterns. You can also group verbs by meaning (e.g., verbs of desire: <span data-no-translation>want to<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>hope to<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>wish to<\/span>; verbs of planning: <span data-no-translation>plan to<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>decide to<\/span>). Consistent practice will help you remember.\"}]","_kiss_seo_title":"","_kiss_seo_excerpt":"The 'to + infinitive' form is a core part of English grammar, used to express purpose, follow specific verbs and adjectives, and combine with question...","_mwseo_canonical":"","_mwseo_keywords":"","_mwseo_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[168],"tags":[651,965],"formats":[],"class_list":["post-273184","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-b1-intermediate-english","tag-grammar","tag-uses-of-to-infinitive"],"dsm_author":{"name":"Ra\u00fal","avatar_url":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/nsl_avatars\/1de86ea706740d324aaef3dd8bf0843b.png","archive_link":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/es\/blog\/author\/raulmaguinahamann\/","biodata":""},"dsm_categories":[{"term_name":"B1 Intermediate 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