Infinitive marker to

General characteristics:

• Infinitival to precedes a base form verb.
• The distribution is like that of auxiliaries, but in infinitival clauses. It appears between the subject and the verb phrase:

1. It is crucial [for John to show an interest].
2. It is crucial that John should show an interest.

• Ellipsis

1. I know I should [go to the dentist’s], but I just don’t want to.
2. I don’t really want to [go to the dentist’s], but I know I should.

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