Infinitives

Record important ideas from the following slides in your ELA notebook or on a Google Doc

an infinitive is a verbal formed by placing "to" in front of the simple present form of a verb. Infinitives function as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

Examples:

- to run

- to dance

- to sing

• Always describe a noun or pronoun

• Always comes after the noun it modifies

• Example: This is the best time to start.

• Always describe a verb, adjective, or other adverb

• Usually placed at the beginning or end of a sentence

• Does not need to be placed next to the verb it describes

• Example: To win, you need the highest number of points.

• Example: You need the highest number of points to win.

You can always identify an adverbial infinitive by inserting the words "in order" in front of infinitive. If the words in order make sense, the infinitive is acting like an adverb.

An infinitive phrase is an infinitive with any complements or modifiers needed to complete its meaning, all acting together as a single part of speech.

An infinitive phrase is an infinitive with any complements or modifiers needed to complete its meaning, all acting together as a single part of speech.

• The first attempt to build the Panama Canal ended in failure. (Adjectival)

• We nailed plywood on the store windows to prepare for the storm. (Adverbial)

  
  

• Like all nouns, an infinitive that acts as a noun can take the role of a subject, direct object, subject complement, and object of the preposition.

• Infinitive Phrase as Subject: To climb Mt. Everest was my greatest ambition. 

• Infinitive Phrase as Direct Object: At one time, I attempted to climb Mt. Everest. 

• Infinitive Phrase as Subject Complement: My greatest ambition is to climb Mt. Everest.

• Infinitive Phrase as Object of Preposition: Ryan had no choice except to run away. 

If you can replace the infinitive phrase with the word “it” and the sentence still makes sense, then that is a good indication that the infinitive phrase is acting as a noun.