{"id":273341,"date":"2026-09-14T03:00:24","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T08:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/?p=273341"},"modified":"2026-09-14T03:00:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T08:00:24","slug":"infinitive-with-without-to-a2-key","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/blog\/infinitive-with-without-to-a2-key\/","title":{"rendered":"Mastering Infinitives: With and Without &#8216;To&#8217; (A2 English Grammar)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"lc-answer\"><strong>The infinitive is the basic form of a verb, and in English, it can appear with or without the word <span data-no-translation>to<\/span>.<\/strong> You use <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span> after many common verbs like <span data-no-translation>want<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>decide<\/span>, and <span data-no-translation>hope<\/span>, and also to explain the purpose of an action. For example, <span data-no-translation>I want to learn English.<\/span> On the other hand, you use the infinitive without <span data-no-translation>to<\/span> (also called the &#8216;bare infinitive&#8217;) after all modal verbs such as <span data-no-translation>can<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>must<\/span>, and <span data-no-translation>should<\/span>. For instance, <span data-no-translation>You must study hard.<\/span> Understanding this difference is key for A2 English learners to speak and write correctly.<\/div>\n<h2>What is an Infinitive in English?<\/h2>\n<p>The infinitive is the basic form of a verb. It is the verb in its simplest form, without any changes for tense or subject.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sometimes it has <span data-no-translation>to<\/span> before it (e.g., <span data-no-translation>to eat<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>to sleep<\/span>).<\/li>\n<li>Sometimes it does not have <span data-no-translation>to<\/span> (e.g., <span data-no-translation>eat<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>sleep<\/span>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Knowing when to use <span data-no-translation>to<\/span> and when not to is an important part of English grammar.<\/p>\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;\">&#9997;&#65039; Not sure which level you are?<\/h3><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;opacity:.95;\">Take our free placement test and get personalized feedback from certified Cambridge examiners.<\/p><a href=\"\/english\/academy\/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;\">Take our FREE Placement Test<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>When Do We Use 'To + Infinitive'?<\/h2>\n<p>We use <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span> in several common situations. This is very frequent in English.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>After certain verbs:<\/strong> Many verbs are followed by <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span>. Some common A2 verbs include:\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>decide<\/span>: <span data-no-translation>They decided to buy a new car.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>hope<\/span>: <span data-no-translation>I hope to see you soon.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>learn<\/span>: <span data-no-translation>She is learning to play the guitar.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>need<\/span>: <span data-no-translation>We need to finish our homework.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>want<\/span>: <span data-no-translation>I want to visit London.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>would like<\/span>: <span data-no-translation>I would like to drink some water.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>To express purpose:<\/strong> We use <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span> to say <em>why<\/em> someone does something. It answers the question 'Why?'.\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I went to the shop to buy some milk.<\/span> (Why did you go? To buy milk.)<\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>She studies hard to pass her exam.<\/span> (Why does she study? To pass her exam.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>When Do We Use the Infinitive Without 'To' (Bare Infinitive)?<\/h2>\n<p>The infinitive without <span data-no-translation>to<\/span> is used in specific cases, especially with modal verbs.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>After modal verbs:<\/strong> All modal verbs are followed by the bare infinitive. Modal verbs include:\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>can \/ could<\/span>: <span data-no-translation>I can speak English.<\/span> \/ <span data-no-translation>She could swim when she was five.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>must<\/span>: <span data-no-translation>You must tell me the truth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>may \/ might<\/span>: <span data-no-translation>It may rain tomorrow.<\/span> \/ <span data-no-translation>He might come to the party.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>shall \/ should<\/span>: <span data-no-translation>You should rest.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>will \/ would<\/span>: <span data-no-translation>I will help you.<\/span> \/ <span data-no-translation>Would you like some tea?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table>\n<caption>Summary: When to Use Infinitives<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Infinitive Form<\/th>\n<th>Used After<\/th>\n<th>Example<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span><\/td>\n<td>Verbs like <span data-no-translation>want, need, decide, hope, would like<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>I want to learn.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>To express purpose ('why')<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>She called to ask a question.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-no-translation>bare infinitive<\/span> (without <span data-no-translation>to<\/span>)<\/td>\n<td>Modal verbs: <span data-no-translation>can, must, should, will, may, could, would, might<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-no-translation>You must go.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>Examples<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-no-translation>They decided to travel next month.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I need to buy new shoes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>She went to the library to read a book.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>We want to learn French.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>You must listen carefully.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>He can play the piano very well.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>They should arrive soon.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-no-translation>I would like to eat pizza tonight.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Practice<\/h2>\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-1609\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"1609\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"KET05 L2 GRAMMAR The infinitive - with and without to\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"lc-cta lc-cta-exam\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding:30px;margin:30px 0;text-align:center;color:#fff;background:#0A2540;\"><h3 style=\"color:#F2B705;font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 8px;\">Ready to earn your certificate?<\/h3><p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;opacity:.92;\">Langcom prepares students for Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL, DELE, SIELE and Michigan exams.<\/p><a href=\"\/\" style=\"display:inline-block;margin-top:8px;padding:13px 30px;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;background:#F2B705;color:#0A2540;\">Get started with Langcom<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>Common mistakes for Spanish speakers<\/h2>\n<p>Spanish speakers often make these mistakes with infinitives:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Adding <span data-no-translation>to<\/span> after modal verbs:<\/strong> This is a very common error. Remember, modal verbs never take <span data-no-translation>to<\/span> before the main verb.\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Incorrect:<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>I must to go.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Correct:<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>I must go.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Omitting <span data-no-translation>to<\/span> when it is needed:<\/strong> Some verbs always need <span data-no-translation>to<\/span> before the infinitive.\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Incorrect:<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>I want learn English.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Correct:<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>I want to learn English.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Using <span data-no-translation>for + verb-ing<\/span> instead of <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span> for purpose:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Incorrect:<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>I went to the shop for buying milk.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Correct:<\/strong> <span data-no-translation>I went to the shop to buy milk.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>What is the main difference between 'to + infinitive' and the bare infinitive?<\/h3>\n<p>The main difference is the words that come before them. You use <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span> after many regular verbs (like <span data-no-translation>want<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>need<\/span>) and to show purpose. You use the bare infinitive (without <span data-no-translation>to<\/span>) after all modal verbs (like <span data-no-translation>can<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>must<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>should<\/span>).<\/p>\n<h3>Can I use 'to + infinitive' after 'can' or 'must'?<\/h3>\n<p>No, you cannot. Modal verbs like <span data-no-translation>can<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>could<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>must<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>should<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>will<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>would<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>may<\/span>, and <span data-no-translation>might<\/span> are always followed by the bare infinitive (the verb without <span data-no-translation>to<\/span>). For example, <span data-no-translation>I can swim<\/span>, not <span data-no-translation>I can to swim<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h3>How is this grammar point tested in the A2 Key (KET) exam?<\/h3>\n<p>In the A2 Key exam, you might see tasks where you need to complete sentences or correct mistakes. For example, you may need to choose the correct form of a verb after a modal (e.g., <span data-no-translation>You must [study\/to study]<\/span>) or after a verb like <span data-no-translation>want<\/span> (e.g., <span data-no-translation>I want [go\/to go]<\/span>). Pay close attention to the verb before the blank.<\/p>\n<h3>Are there any verbs that can be followed by both 'to + infinitive' and another form?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, some verbs can be followed by different forms, but for A2, focus on the basic rules. For example, <span data-no-translation>like<\/span> can be followed by <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span> (<span data-no-translation>I like to swim<\/span>) or <span data-no-translation>verb-ing<\/span> (<span data-no-translation>I like swimming<\/span>). Both are often correct, but the meaning can be slightly different.<\/p>\n<h2>Related lessons<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/langcom.org\/?p=273043\">Gerunds and infinitives<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/langcom.org\/?p=273084\">Gerunds and infinitives<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/langcom.org\/?p=273184\">Gerunds and infinitives<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/langcom.org\/?p=273258\">Gerunds and infinitives<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The infinitive is the basic form of a verb, and in English, it can appear with or without the word to. You use to + infinitive after many common verbs like want, decide, and hope, and also to explain the purpose of an action. For example, I want to learn English. On the other hand, you use the infinitive without to (also called the &#8216;bare infinitive&#8217;) after all modal verbs such as can, must, and should. For instance, You must study hard. Understanding this difference is key for A2 English learners to speak and write correctly. What is an Infinitive in English? The infinitive is the basic form of a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":192,"featured_media":274358,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"bwfblock_default_font":"","langcom_teaches":"Gerunds and infinitives","langcom_cefr":"A2","langcom_type":"grammar","langcom_faq":"[{\"q\": \"What is the main difference between 'to + infinitive' and the bare infinitive?\", \"a\": \"The main difference is the words that come before them. You use <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span> after many regular verbs (like <span data-no-translation>want<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>need<\/span>) and to show purpose. You use the bare infinitive (without <span data-no-translation>to<\/span>) after all modal verbs (like <span data-no-translation>can<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>must<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>should<\/span>).\"}, {\"q\": \"Can I use 'to + infinitive' after 'can' or 'must'?\", \"a\": \"No, you cannot. Modal verbs like <span data-no-translation>can<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>could<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>must<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>should<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>will<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>would<\/span>, <span data-no-translation>may<\/span>, and <span data-no-translation>might<\/span> are always followed by the bare infinitive (the verb without <span data-no-translation>to<\/span>). For example, <span data-no-translation>I can swim<\/span>, not <span data-no-translation>I can to swim<\/span>.\"}, {\"q\": \"How is this grammar point tested in the A2 Key (KET) exam?\", \"a\": \"In the A2 Key exam, you might see tasks where you need to complete sentences or correct mistakes. For example, you may need to choose the correct form of a verb after a modal (e.g., <span data-no-translation>You must [study\/to study]<\/span>) or after a verb like <span data-no-translation>want<\/span> (e.g., <span data-no-translation>I want [go\/to go]<\/span>). Pay close attention to the verb before the blank.\"}, {\"q\": \"Are there any verbs that can be followed by both 'to + infinitive' and another form?\", \"a\": \"Yes, some verbs can be followed by different forms, but for A2, focus on the basic rules. For example, <span data-no-translation>like<\/span> can be followed by <span data-no-translation>to + infinitive<\/span> (<span data-no-translation>I like to swim<\/span>) or <span data-no-translation>verb-ing<\/span> (<span data-no-translation>I like swimming<\/span>). Both are often correct, but the meaning can be slightly different.\"}]","_kiss_seo_title":"","_kiss_seo_excerpt":"The infinitive is the basic form of a verb, and in English, it can appear with or without the word to.","_mwseo_canonical":"","_mwseo_keywords":"","_mwseo_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[618],"tags":[651,1086],"formats":[],"class_list":["post-273341","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a2-key-ket","tag-grammar","tag-the-infinitive-with-and-without-to"],"dsm_author":{"name":"\u30e9\u30a6\u30eb","avatar_url":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/nsl_avatars\/1de86ea706740d324aaef3dd8bf0843b.png","archive_link":"https:\/\/langcom.org\/ja\/blog\/author\/raulmaguinahamann\/","biodata":""},"dsm_categories":[{"term_name":"A2 Key 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