Hello, little word space traveler! Do you know about rockets? A rocket needs fuel to fly. Some words need a little word to help them take off! This helper is the word "to". When you see a verb with "to" in front, it is a special form. It is called an Infinitive. It is the basic, launch-ready form of a verb. Your guide is Captain Toby. He flies the "To Rocket". The rocket body is "to". The fuel is the verb. Together, they fly to do things! Let's blast off and see Infinitives at home, the playground, school, and in nature.
What is an Infinitive? An Infinitive is a verb with its mission helmet on. It is usually "to" plus the simple form of a verb. Think of the verb "run". Put "to" in front: "to run". Now the verb is ready for a mission! "I want to run." "I like to run." The "to run" is the infinitive. Captain Toby says it shows the idea of an action, before it happens. It is one of the most common Infinitives for Kindergarten students. It is a goal or a wish.
Why are Infinitives Your Mission Words? Using Infinitives makes you a great goal-setter. It helps your ears listen. You can hear what someone wants or needs to do. It helps your mouth speak. You can tell your own goals. "I want to play." "I need to eat." It helps your eyes read. You can spot the "to" and know an action idea is coming. It helps your hand write. You can write about your hopes and plans. Infinitives help you talk about actions that are wishes, needs, or goals.
What Kind of Missions Do We Have? Captain Toby has three main mission types for his "To Rocket".
The "Want/Like/Need" Mission. This is the most common. We use infinitives after words like want, like, love, need, hope. At home: "I want to drink water." At school: "I need to draw a picture." On the playground: "I like to swing high." In nature: "We hope to see a rainbow."
The "Can/Will/Should" Mission. After special helper words (modal verbs), we do NOT use "to". We use the infinitive without "to". This is called the bare infinitive. At home: "I can run." (not 'to run'). At school: "I will try." On the playground: "You should wait." In nature: "Birds can fly."
The "It Is" Mission. We use "It is" with an adjective, then an infinitive. It gives an opinion about an action. At home: "It is fun to play." At school: "It is good to share." On the playground: "It is hard to climb." In nature: "It is nice to walk outside."
How Can You Spot an Infinitive? Captain Toby has a scanner. Look for these clues.
Look for the Word "To" Before a Verb. Find the word "to". Look at the very next word. Is it an action word like run, eat, see? Then "to + verb" is an infinitive. "I like to read."
Ask the "What?" Question. After verbs like want, need, like, ask "what?". The answer is often an infinitive. "I want... what?" "I want to sleep." The infinitive tells you the what.
Check for the "Mission" Feeling. Does the phrase talk about a goal, a wish, or a need to do something? It might be an infinitive. "My plan is to build a fort." Building is the goal.
Listen for the Sound. The "to" sounds like "tuh" or "too". The verb after it is in its simple, base form. No -s, no -ed, no -ing.
How Do We Launch Our To Rockets? Using an Infinitive is easy. Follow Captain Toby's launch plan.
Formula 1: [Person] + [want/like/need] + to + [Base Verb]. I want to eat. She likes to sing. They need to go.
Formula 2: [Person] + [can/will/may] + [Base Verb] (NO 'to'). I can jump. He will come. We may go.
Formula 3: It is [adjective] + to + [Base Verb]. It is easy to learn. It is time to go. It is great to see you.
The "To" is a Launch Pad. Think of "to" as the launch pad. The verb is the rocket. They stick together for the mission. "I love (to swim)."
Let’s Fix Some Launch Problems! Sometimes the rocket and launch pad get mixed up. Let's help Captain Toby.
Forgetting the "To" After Want/Like. Wrong: "I want go home." The verb 'want' needs 'to' before the next action. Right: "I want to go home." Wrong: "She likes play." Right: "She likes to play."
Adding "To" After Can/Will. Wrong: "I can to swim." After 'can', 'will', 'may', 'must', we do NOT use 'to'. Right: "I can swim." Wrong: "You must to listen." Right: "You must listen."
Using the Wrong Verb Form After "To". Wrong: "I need to eating." After "to", we always use the simple base form of the verb. Right: "I need to eat." Wrong: "He wants to runs." Right: "He wants to run."
Can You Be a Co-Pilot? Let's play. I will say a sentence start. You finish it with an infinitive. "I like..." (to do what?). Good! "I like to draw." or "I like to read." "It is fun..." Good! "It is fun to play." "I can..." Remember, no 'to' after 'can'! "I can jump." Great job, co-pilot!
Captain Toby's 100 Common Mission Phrases. Here are one hundred ready-to-launch infinitives. They are common Infinitives for Kindergarten students.
After "Want" (Goals and Wishes): I want to play. I want to eat. I want to sleep. I want to read. I want to draw. I want to see you. I want to go home. I want to be a doctor. I want to have a dog. I want to learn.
After "Like/Love" (Enjoyment): I like to run. I like to sing. I like to color. I like to swim. I like to help. I love to dance. I love to listen to music. I love to hear stories. I like to watch TV. I like to ride my bike.
After "Need/Have" (Necessity): I need to drink. I need to sleep. I need to ask. I need to try. I need to find my mom. I have to go. I have to eat. I have to clean. I have to wait. I have to be good.
After "Hope/Plan/Try" (Future Ideas): I hope to see you soon. I hope to win. I plan to build. I plan to call you. I try to be nice. I try to share. I try to listen. I started to cry. I began to laugh. I learned to walk.
After "Ask/Tell/Help" (Instructions): I asked him to come. She told me to stop. Mom helped me to read. He taught me to draw. We need you to wait. I want you to smile. I like you to be here. I told her to be careful. I asked to go. I decided to stay.
After Adjectives (It is... to...): It is good to share. It is nice to be kind. It is fun to play. It is easy to learn. It is hard to wait. It is important to listen. It is time to eat. It is time to sleep. It is time to go. It is great to see you.
Common Bare Infinitives (After Can, Will, etc.): I can do it. I can see you. I can hear that. I will help you. I will come. I will try. I may go. I might stay. You must stop. You should go.
Other Useful Infinitives: I like to go to the park. I want to be your friend. I need to use the bathroom. I hope to get a toy. I plan to make a card. I try to do my best. I love to be with you. It is fun to be here. It is my turn to play. I am happy to help.
You Are a Word Astronaut Now! You did it! You know that an Infinitive is often "to" plus a verb. Captain Toby gives you a shiny astronaut badge. You have learned one hundred common Infinitives for Kindergarten students. You can use them after words like "want", "like", and "need". You know not to use "to" after words like "can" and "will". Your sentences can now talk about goals and wishes.
Here is what you learned from our space mission. You know an infinitive is usually "to + verb" like to run, to eat, to see. You know it often comes after words like want, like, need, hope. You know after can, will, may, must, we use the verb alone (the bare infinitive). You know the pattern "It is + adjective + to + verb". You can spot them by looking for "to" before an action word. You can use the formulas. You can fix common mistakes like forgetting "to" or adding it where it doesn't belong.
Now, let’s do some life practice! Your mission is today. Be a Goal Explorer. Tell someone two things you want to do. Use "I want to...". Say: "I want to read a book. I want to play outside." Or, tell someone what you can do. Say: "I can jump high. I can sing a song." You are a wonderful word astronaut.