发布时间2025-03-16 22:46
As parents and educators, we often marvel at the way children absorb language, effortlessly picking up new words and phrases. However, this rapid learning process can sometimes lead to amusing—and occasionally confusing—mistakes, especially when it comes to grammar. One area where kids frequently stumble is the use of infinitives. While infinitives are a fundamental part of English grammar, they can be tricky to master, and children often misuse them in ways that are both endearing and instructive.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 common wrongful infinitives that kids tend to use incorrectly. By understanding these mistakes, parents and teachers can better guide children toward more accurate language use. Whether it’s confusing “to go” with “going” or misplacing “to” in a sentence, these errors provide valuable insights into how young minds process language. Let’s dive into these incorrect infinitives and uncover the rules that can help kids use them correctly.
One of the most common mistakes kids make is using the -ing form of a verb instead of the infinitive. For example, they might say, “I want to going to the park,” instead of the correct form, “I want to go to the park.” This error stems from a misunderstanding of how infinitives function in sentences. The infinitive form (e.g., “to go”) is used after certain verbs like “want,” “need,” or “like,” while the -ing form is used in different contexts, such as after prepositions or as a gerund.
While this sentence is technically correct, it’s often considered more natural to place the “not” before the infinitive. Kids might say, “She told me to not do that,” when the preferred structure is, “She told me not to do that.” This subtle distinction highlights the importance of word order in English. Teaching kids to place “not” before the infinitive can help them sound more fluent and natural.
Here, kids confuse the infinitive with the -ing form once again. Instead of saying, “He asked me to helping him,” the correct sentence should be, “He asked me to help him.” This mistake is common because children often hear both forms used in different contexts but haven’t yet grasped the specific rules governing their use. Emphasizing the correct structure can help clear up this confusion.
Kids sometimes add an extra “for” before the infinitive, creating sentences like, “I need to eat my vegetables for to be healthy.” The correct version is simply, “I need to eat my vegetables to be healthy.” This error often arises from overgeneralizing the use of “for” in other contexts, such as “I eat vegetables for health.” Teaching kids to omit the unnecessary “for” can improve their sentence structure.
Similar to mistake #2, this sentence involves the incorrect placement of “not” and the misuse of the -ing form. The correct sentence should be, “They decided not to go to the party.” This example illustrates how multiple errors can occur in a single sentence. Breaking down each component—“not,” “to,” and the infinitive—can help kids understand the correct structure.
Kids often mix up the infinitive with the -ing form when expressing preferences. Instead of saying, “I like to swimming in the pool,” the correct sentence is, “I like to swim in the pool.” Alternatively, they could use the -ing form correctly by saying, “I like swimming in the pool.” Clarifying the difference between these two forms can help kids express themselves more accurately.
This mistake involves the incorrect combination of two verbs in their base forms. Kids might say, “She wants to can play the piano,” when the correct sentence is, “She wants to be able to play the piano.” This error arises because children often try to translate their thoughts directly into English without considering grammatical rules. Teaching them to use “be able to” instead of “can” in such contexts can resolve this issue.
Here, kids again confuse the -ing form with the infinitive. Instead of saying, “We need to cleaning the house,” the correct sentence is, “We need to clean the house.” This mistake is common because children hear both forms used in different contexts but haven’t yet internalized the rules. Reinforcing the correct structure through practice can help them avoid this error.
Similar to mistake #2, this sentence involves the incorrect placement of “not.” While it’s understandable, the more natural structure is, “He told me not to be late.” Teaching kids to place “not” before the infinitive can help them sound more fluent and natural. This small adjustment can make a big difference in their language development.
This mistake is similar to #7, involving the incorrect combination of two verbs. Kids might say, “I want to can go to the party,” when the correct sentence is, “I want to be able to go to the party.” This error highlights the challenges children face when trying to express complex ideas in English. Teaching them to use “be able to” instead of “can” in such contexts can help them communicate more effectively.
By identifying these 10 wrongful infinitives, we can better understand the common pitfalls children encounter as they learn English. Each mistake provides an opportunity to teach them the correct rules and structures, helping them develop stronger language skills. Whether it’s through practice exercises, real-life examples, or simple corrections, guiding kids toward accurate infinitive use can set them on the path to fluency.
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