Infinitival to

General characteristics: Infinitival to precedes a base form verb. The distribution is like that of auxiliaries, but in infinitival clauses: position between the subject and the verb phrase It is crucial [for John to show an interest]. It is crucial that John should show an interest. ellipsis I know I should [go to the dentist’s], but I just don’t want to. I don’t really want to [go to the dentist’s], but I know I should.