Three Things You Might Not Know

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

There is grammar, and then there is GRAMMAR.  The three topics in today’s post aren’t in any grammar book I ever taught from or read — or wrote, for that matter! I am sure they are in some grammar book, and I am sure some of you know what they are. I actually was not acquainted with what they are called.

Bare Infinitives

An infinitive is a verb preceded by the word to: I want to leave. The infinitive is to leave. Notice that the verb in the sentence is want. An infinitive is really being used as a noun. Here, it is the object of the sentence. I want what? to leave. An infinitive can also be the subject of a sentence:  To swim is my favorite hobby. Of course, we would probably say Swimming is my favorite hobby. In that sentence swimming is a noun, but it is not an infinitive. So what is the verb ending in -ing and used as a noun called?? Yup, a gerund. 

Okay, so what is a bare infinitive? A bare infinitive is one without the to. We never think about them or really notice them, but when we do, we try to figure out what on earth that is in the sentence:

I let her use my book. (We don’t say “I let her to use my book.”)I heard my dog bark. (not “to bark”)I felt  the earth move.

Bare infinitives occur with certain verbs, among them let and the verbs of sense (feel, hear, see, etc.)

 Question Tags

These are easy and well named. They are the little “postscripts” that might come after a statement to make it into a question. These tags are used more frequently in speaking than in writing. They “check” to make sure what you said is true. They are preceded by a comma.

You locked the door, didn’t you?She is coming with us, isn’t she?I am getting the award, aren’t I?

 

Cleft Sentences

These are a bit weird. They are sentences where the word order is changed to emphasize something in the sentence. They often begin with what, all, or it.

I need a warmer coat. (regular old sentence)What I need is a warmer coat. (emphasizes the warmer coat)It is a warmer coat that I need (emphasizes what I need)All I need is a warmer coat. (emphasizes once again)

Here is another example:

I would love an ice cream cone.What I would love is an ice cream cone.An ice cream cone is what I would love.It is an ice cream cone that I really would love.

So now we know!