English has two such particles :
1. The infinitive particle
The infinitive particle is to. It precedes the infinitive and is used :
- When the infinitive is the subject or object of the sentence : To lie won't help.
- When it's the complement of the subject/object, or of an adjective : The idea is to leave on Thursday; It's impossible to go.
- As object after a wide range of catenative verbs - eg I forgot to tell you: I want to see that film; I hope to know more soon.
- As an appositive : His dream, to visit Australia, was never realised.
- As a non-finite clause : The next person to leave was John
2. The negative particle
The negative particle is not. It can be used to negate :
- finite verb forms, when it is usually attached to the operator, and may be contracted to n't : I can't see anything; He hasn't arrived yet
- finite verb forms used as main verbs : this is mainly restricted to the verb Be - He isn't here - but sometimes occurs with with Have. particularly in fixed expressions : I haven't the foggiest idea. Using it with main verbs in other contexts may give the sense of a formal or archaic style: Fear not! ; I decided I hadn't the time.
- non-finite verb forms, when it precedes the verb : She chose not to go; Not to reply would be rude: Not knowing about it, I didn't go
- other word classes, when it again precedes the item it negates : Not many people know this; He spoke not French but German; Not unnaturally, he wanted to see her.
Looking for a good grammar?
In my opinion, the best that's ever been written is...
Quirk, R. Greenbaum, S. Leech, G. and Svartvik, J. A Grammar of Contemporary English, Longman
