Infinitive Phrases

Question 1

What is an infinitive?

What is the second step after you find what kind of infinitive phrase is is?

Can an infinitive be implied?

Answer 1

• “to verb”
• functions as N, ADJ, ADV

N ⇒ Part of Speech (S, DO, OBJ, PN, IO)

ADJ ⇒ N/PRO (WTM)

ADV ⇒ V, ADV, ADJ (WTM)

Yes! Don’t forget that a sentence may have verb but no “to”

Question 2

What happens if you take an infinitive phrase out of the sentence?

What is the formula for an infinitive phrase?

Answer 2

If you take an infinitive phrase out of the sentence then;

• If phrase is ADV, ADJ → complete thought
• If phrase is N → incomplete thought

Question 3

Find the infinitive or infinitive phrase, what they are and what they modify;

1. He wanted to eat some spicy food
2. The place to buy interesting things is called the Flying Dragon
3. The players were ready to compete fiercely

Answer 3

1. “to eat (INF) some (ADJ) spicy (ADJ) food (OBJ)” is an infinitive phrase that functions as a NOUN and acts as a DO mod he (he wanted→to..)
2. “to buy (INF) interesting (ADJ) things (OBJ)” is an infinitive phrase that functions as an ADJ mod place “which one?”
3. “to complete (INF) fiercely (ADV)” is an infinitive phrase that acts as an ADV mod ready “how?”

Question 4

Find the infinitive or infinitive phrase, what they are and what they modify;

1. To win the lottery would be nice
2. The soldiers run to maintain their stamina. They run quickly to escape the enemy
3. He delivered the computer to the wrong address

Answer 4

1. “to win (INF) the lottery” is an infinitive phrase that acts as a PN (you→would→to win…)
2. “to maintain (INF) their stamina” is an ADV that mod run with “why?”
3. There is no infinitive phrase - no infinitive - prepositional phrase has an article after the “to” and not a verb

Question 5

What are some tips when you see a V, N, ADJ, ADV in front of an infinitive phrase?

Answer 5

V → N(DO) or ADV“He wanted [to eat] some spicy food”

N → ADJ“The place [to by] interesting things is called the Flying Dragon”

ADJ → ADV“The players were ready [to compete] fiercely”

ADV → can be anything“He wanted desperately [to pass] the class” (N→DO) OR “He laughed heartily [to show] his cheer” (ADV) OR “He walked quickly [to escape] the thieves” (ADV)

Question 6

If you have an infinitive phrase functioning as an ADJ there will be a ______ in front of it 9/10 times

If an infinitive phrase is first in the sentence then it is usually a ______

Answer 6

If you have an infinitive phrase functioning as an ADJ there will be a NOUN in front of it 9/10 times

BUT DON’T FORGET TO CHECK

If an infinitive phrase is first in the sentence then it is usually a NOUN

BUT DON’T FORGET TO CHECK