Infinitives

When a verb is acting like a noun

Example: Running is his favorite hobby.

When a verb acts as an adjective and describes a noun

Example: The teacher, running quickly down the hall, was able to help the injured student.

Example: The broken vase went in the trash.

The basic form of the verb

Usually begins with "to"

Can be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb

Don't confuse infinitives with prepositional phrases!

An infinitive is when "to" comes before a verb

A prepositional phrase is when "to" comes before a noun

It is important to exercise regularly

I hope to visit my cousin soon.

You're using verbs like dare, feel, hear, help, let, make, need, see, and watch.

With these words, the "to" can be understood to be there.

Participles, gerunds, and infinitives are all verbals

Verbals are when a verb is functioning as another part of speech