The Use of Bare Infinitive After Verbs of Sense Perception

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The Use of bare infinitive after verbs of sense perception The infinitive can be used with or without the marker to. These two forms of the infinitive are distinguished by the terms ‘to-infinitives’ and ‘bare infinitives’. Uses of the bare infinitive The infinitive without the marker to (bare-infinitive) is used as the main verb after duumy auxiliary do the auxiliaries shall, should, will, would, may, might, do, did, can, could, must, need and dare.  I shall invite them.  We must go now.  He can speak English.  You need not go.  He dare not refuse. . The infinitive is used without to after some principal verbs like bid, watch, see, let, make, help and hear.  I bade him come. (NOT I bade him to come.)  Let him go. (NOT Let him to go.)  We heard her sing. (NOT We heard her to sing.)  I watched them play. (NOT I watched them to play.) After rather, better and had better The infinitive is used without to after rather, better and had better.  You had rather visit him.  I would rather wait.  You had better consult a doctor.  She can do everything but cook.  She did nothing except cry. After some prepositions like except, but, save and than  She can do everything but cook.  She did nothing except cry. Bare infinitives is used after verbs denoting sense preception , such as to hear, to see, to feel etc. Sense perception Verbs that require the use of the five senses ( sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell) are called verbs of perception. Verbs indicate that the perceiver is ,,focusing’’ on a specific object. They can be used in the progressive. He is listening to the radio. They are looking at the picture. She is smelling the flowers. Verbs indicate general perception and are non-progressive. He hears a noise. They see flames. She smells smoke.

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