Bare Infinitive

B1 · IntermediateGerunds & Infinitives

A bare infinitive is the base verb with no 'to': She can swim. They let him go. He made me laugh.

What you'll learn

  • After every modal verb (can, must, should, will, might...), the following verb has no 'to'
  • After let and make (active voice), the following verb has no 'to'
  • After had better and would rather, the following verb has no 'to'
  • Passive make — was/were made — unexpectedly brings 'to' back: I was made to apologize

The infinitive without 'to'

A bare infinitive is just the base form of a verb with no 'to' in front of it. It appears in a handful of specific, fixed grammatical positions — mainly after modal verbs and after let/make.

"She can swim very well."
"My parents let me stay out late."

After modal verbs

Every modal verb (can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must) is always followed by a bare infinitive, with no 'to'.

"You must finish this by Friday."
"We should leave before it gets dark."

After let and make (active voice)

In the active voice, let and make are followed by a person and then a bare infinitive — no 'to' at all.

"The movie made me cry."
"She let him go."

Passive make brings 'to' back

This is the one surprising exception: when make is used in the passive voice (was/were made), 'to' comes back before the infinitive.

"I was made to apologize."
"He was made to wait outside."

A few fixed expressions

Had better, would rather, and why not are always followed by a bare infinitive too.

"You'd better leave now."
"I'd rather stay home tonight."
"Why not ask him yourself?"

Real English

"Can you help me carry these bags?"
"They made him wait outside."
"Why not give it a try?"
"The teacher made us redo the assignment."

Watch out

✗She can to swim very well.
✓She can swim very well.

No modal verb is ever followed by 'to' — always use the bare infinitive right after can, must, should, etc.

✗The movie made me to cry.
✓The movie made me cry.

In the active voice, make + person is followed by a bare infinitive, not 'to' + verb.

✗I was made apologize.
✓I was made to apologize.

Passive make (was/were made) is the one exception — 'to' comes back before the infinitive.

Real life — A parent setting rules

"Can I stay out past ten tonight?"

"I'll let you stay out until ten thirty, but you must text me when you leave."

"Okay, deal. Why not just come pick me up instead?"

"You'd better call me first — I might be busy."

Practice

Exercise 1 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence — after a modal verb.

Exercise 2 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence — after 'let'.

Exercise 3 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence — after 'make' (active).

Exercise 4 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence — passive 'make' needs 'to' back.

Exercise 5 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence — after 'had better'.

Exercise 6 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence — after 'would rather'.

Exercise 7 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence — after 'help' (bare infinitive is common and natural).

Exercise 8 · Choose the correct sentence

Choose the correct sentence — 'why not' + bare infinitive.

Exercise 9 · Complete the sentence

Complete with the bare infinitive: 'You must ___ (finish) this by Friday.'

Exercise 10 · Complete the sentence

Complete with the bare infinitive: 'The teacher made us ___ (redo) the assignment.'

Exercise 11 · Sort into groups

I can help.
I was allowed to leave early.
She let him go.
He was told to wait.
You must try.
They were asked to sign.

0 / 6 sorted

Quick challenge

Five quick questions to check what stuck.

Question 1 / 5

Score: 0/0

Choose the correct sentence.

You learned

  • A bare infinitive is the base verb with no 'to' in front of it.
  • It always follows a modal verb and let/make (active voice).
  • Passive make (was/were made) unexpectedly brings 'to' back.
  • Had better, would rather, and why not are also followed by a bare infinitive.

Related grammar lessons

IntermediateGerunds & Infinitives

Verb + Object + Infinitive

Learn the pattern verb + person + to-infinitive, used with want, ask, tell, advise, and many other verbs.

IntermediateGerunds & Infinitives

Verb Patterns

Learn the three groups of English verbs — gerund only, infinitive only, and verbs that allow both — and how to tell them apart.

IntermediateGerunds & Infinitives

Infinitives

Learn how to + verb expresses purpose, follows certain adjectives, and completes a large group of common verbs.

IntermediateGerunds & Infinitives

Gerunds

Learn how the -ing form works as a noun — as a subject, as the object of a verb, and after prepositions.

View all lessons in this category