Subject to Infinitive vs. To Infinitive

Attribute	Subject to Infinitive	To Infinitive
Usage	Subject performs the action of the infinitive verb	Infinitive verb is used after certain verbs or expressions
Subject	Subject of the main clause	May or may not have a subject
Verb form	Base form of the verb	Base form of the verb preceded by "to"
Examples	I saw him leave. She made me cry.	I want to go. She needs to study.

Introduction

Subject to Infinitive and To Infinitive are two common structures in English grammar that involve the use of infinitive verbs. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are key differences between the two that can impact the meaning and structure of a sentence. In this article, we will explore the attributes of Subject to Infinitive and To Infinitive in depth to provide a better understanding of how they are used.

Subject to Infinitive

Subject to Infinitive is a structure where the subject of a sentence is followed by an infinitive verb. This construction is often used to express purpose or intention. For example, "She went to the store to buy some groceries." In this sentence, "She" is the subject, "went" is the verb, and "to buy" is the infinitive that expresses the purpose of her trip to the store.

One key attribute of Subject to Infinitive is that the subject of the sentence is directly connected to the infinitive verb. This creates a clear relationship between the subject's action and the purpose or intention expressed by the infinitive. This structure is commonly used in both spoken and written English to convey the reasons behind an action or decision.

Subject to Infinitive can also be used to express obligation or necessity. For example, "I need to finish my homework before dinner." In this sentence, "I" is the subject, "need" is the verb, and "to finish" is the infinitive that expresses the obligation to complete the homework before dinner.

Another important aspect of Subject to Infinitive is that it can be used to show causality or reason. For instance, "He left early to avoid traffic." Here, "He" is the subject, "left" is the verb, and "to avoid" is the infinitive that explains the reason for his early departure.

In summary, Subject to Infinitive is a structure that connects the subject of a sentence with an infinitive verb to express purpose, obligation, or reason.

To Infinitive

To Infinitive is a structure where the infinitive verb is preceded by the preposition "to." This construction is used in a variety of contexts in English grammar, including expressing purpose, intention, obligation, or permission. For example, "I want to go to the beach this weekend." In this sentence, "want" is the verb, and "to go" is the infinitive that expresses the speaker's desire to visit the beach.

One key attribute of To Infinitive is that it can be used with a wide range of verbs, including modal verbs like "can," "could," "may," and "might." For instance, "She can't wait to see her friends." Here, "can't wait" is the modal verb, and "to see" is the infinitive that expresses her anticipation of seeing her friends.

To Infinitive can also be used to express purpose or intention, similar to Subject to Infinitive. For example, "He went to the gym to work out." In this sentence, "went" is the verb, and "to work" is the infinitive that explains the purpose of his visit to the gym.

Another important aspect of To Infinitive is that it can be used to express obligation or necessity, especially when combined with modal verbs like "must" or "should." For instance, "You should study to pass the exam." Here, "should" is the modal verb, and "to pass" is the infinitive that indicates the necessary action to achieve the desired outcome.

In summary, To Infinitive is a versatile structure that can be used with a variety of verbs to express purpose, intention, obligation, or permission.

Comparison

While both Subject to Infinitive and To Infinitive are used to express purpose, intention, obligation, or reason, there are some key differences between the two structures. One major distinction is the placement of the subject in the sentence. In Subject to Infinitive, the subject is directly connected to the infinitive verb, creating a clear relationship between the two. In To Infinitive, the subject is typically separated from the infinitive by the preposition "to."

Another difference is the range of verbs that can be used with each structure. Subject to Infinitive is often used with verbs that express purpose, obligation, or reason, while To Infinitive can be used with a wider variety of verbs, including modal verbs. This makes To Infinitive a more versatile structure in terms of verb usage.

Additionally, Subject to Infinitive is more commonly used in spoken English to convey the reasons behind an action or decision, while To Infinitive is often used in both spoken and written English to express purpose, intention, obligation, or permission. This difference in usage can impact the tone and formality of a sentence.

Overall, both Subject to Infinitive and To Infinitive are important structures in English grammar that play a key role in expressing purpose, intention, obligation, or reason. Understanding the attributes of each structure can help improve clarity and precision in communication.