What is an infinitive phrase?
An infinitive phrase is the infinitive form of a verb plus any complements and modifiers. An infinitive phrase functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. This pages has lots of examples of infinitive phrases and an interactive test.
How do you identify adverbs and infinitives in a sentence?
Look at the location of the infinitives in sentences 1 and 2 from Step 1. If the infinitive begins a sentence and is followed by a verb, it functions as a noun. Example: To meditate is very relaxing. If the infinitive begins a sentence, is followed by a comma and a noun or noun phrase, it functions as an adverb.
How do you identify infinitives?
A few tests will help you learn how to properly identify infinitives and what their function is in a particular sentence. Make sure you are looking at an infinitive and not a prepositional phrase by viewing the word or words that appear after the word "to" in the sentence.
What are adjective phrases?
Similarly when a phrase acts as an adjective (describes a noun or a pronoun) it is called an adjective phrase. Example: The girl with blues eyes (blue-eyed girl) has gone through the door. When a phrase acts as an adverb we call it an adverbial phrase. Example: The soldiers fought in a brave manner (bravely).
How do you tell if an infinitive is a noun adjective or adverb?
Infinitives may function as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns. Just like a single-word adjective, an infinitive used as an adjective always describes a noun. An adjectival infinitive always follows the noun it describes. Like gerunds and participles, infinitives may incorporate other words as part of their phrase.
How do you tell if an infinitive phrase is an adverb?
An infinitive phrase is the infinitive form of a verb plus any complements and modifiers. The complement of an infinitive verb will often be its direct object, and the modifier will often be an adverb. For example: He likes to knead the dough slowly.
What is infinitive phrases as a noun as an adjective and as an adverb?
An infinitive is a verbal consisting of the word to plus a verb; it may be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb. An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive plus modifier(s), object(s), complement(s), and/or actor(s).
What are the 3 examples of an infinitive phrase?
3. Parts of Infinitive PhrasesTo study (to + study)To play (to + play)To leave (to + leave)To eat (to + eat)
How do you identify an infinitive phrase from an adjective?
An easy way to identify an infinitive phrase is to look for the "to" and see if it's part of an infinitive verb. Then you'll look for all the complements and modifiers.
What is infinitive as a noun?
An infinitive is a verbal which functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb. It takes the form of “to + verb” in its simplest form. An infinitive expresses an action or state of being.
What is an infinitive used as an adverb?
An infinitive is a verbal. Source: Lesson 206 that is to plus a verb form. It can be used as an adverb. They tell how (manner), when (time), where (place), how much (degree), and why (cause). Source: Lesson 161.
Why are infinitive phrases classified as a noun?
Why can the infinitive phrase be classified as a noun? b. It functions as the direct object. Read the sentence.
What is an infinitive give 10 examples?
Examples of infinitives include to read, to run, to jump, to play, to sing, to laugh, to cry, to eat, and to go. Remember that although infinitives are verbs, they do not function as verbs, instead they are used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
Which sentence uses an infinitive as a noun?
Here are four more examples of infinitive phrases being used as nouns: To travel all across Italy is Lucretia's New Year resolution. (subject) To finish a new book is the only reason Kyle would stay up all night.
What are the examples of adverb?
Some examples of adverbs of manner include:Slowly.Rapidly.Clumsily.Badly.Diligently.Sweetly.Warmly.Sadly.
Do infinitive phrases always begin with to?
An infinitive will almost always begin with to. Exceptions do occur, however. For example, an infinitive will lose its to when it follows these verbs: feel, hear, help, let, make, see, and watch. Between the verb and the infinitive, you will find a direct object.
What are the examples of adverb?
Some examples of adverbs of manner include:Slowly.Rapidly.Clumsily.Badly.Diligently.Sweetly.Warmly.Sadly.
Can an adverb modify an infinitive?
Writers know that an adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. They likewise understand it can enhance an infinitive, a gerund, a participle, a phrase, a clause, a preposition, or the rest of the sentence in which it appears.
Why are infinitive phrases classified as a noun?
Why can the infinitive phrase be classified as a noun? b. It functions as the direct object. Read the sentence.
What is an infinitive give 10 examples?
Examples of infinitives include to read, to run, to jump, to play, to sing, to laugh, to cry, to eat, and to go. Remember that although infinitives are verbs, they do not function as verbs, instead they are used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
Why Should I Care about Infinitive Phrases?
For those learning or teaching English though, life is a little trickier because deliberate consideration must be given to how infinitive phrases function (i.e., as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs) before they can be used or taught. The other issue for language learners or teachers is understanding when to drop the "to" of an infinitive verb (i.e., when to use a "bare infinitive"). This is covered in more detail on the infinitive verbs page.
What is the complement of an infinitive verb?
The complement of an infinitive verb will often be its direct object, and the modifier will often be an adverb. For example: He likes to knead the dough slowly. (The infinitive verb is "to knead.". The complement is its direct object ("the dough"). The modifier is the adverb ("slowly").
What is the infinitive phrase for "to have a big dream"?
To have a big dream requires the same effort as having a small dream. Dream big! (Brazilian-Swiss businessman Jorge Paulo Lemann) (The infinitive phrase is the subject of "requires.") To invent an airplane is nothing. To build one is something, but to fly is everything.
What is Smashing Grammar?
Written by the founder of Grammar Monster, "Smashing Grammar" includes a glossary of grammar essentials (from apostrophes to zeugma) and a chapter on easily confused words (from affect/effect to whether/if). Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to real-life, entertaining examples. All entries conclude with a section highlighting why the grammar point is relevant for a writer and top-level bullet points summarizing the entry. If you like Grammar Monster, you'll love this book. [ More…]
Is a complement an adverb?
The complement of an infinitive verb will often be its direct object, and the modifier will often be an adverb. For example:
Is "to help him who strives to help himself" a noun?
The infinitive phrase "to help him who strives to help himself" is functioning as a noun (i.e., it is the direct object of "loves"). That infinitive phrase contains the infinitive phrase "to help himself," which is functioning as an adverb modifying "strives.")
Is "to" preceded by "to"?
Most infinitives are preceded by "to," but after certain verbs, the "to" is dropped. This happens when an infinitive follows "can," "could," "may," "might," "must," "shall," "should," "will," or "would" (i.e., a modal auxiliary verb ).
