
If the infinitive ends a sentence but can not be moved to the beginning of that sentence without adding additional words, it is functioning as either a noun or an adjective. The infinitive functions as a noun when it is preceded by a verb. Example: Lisa loves to bake. ("to bake" functions as a noun)
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.
What is the difference between an adjectival infinitive and an adverbial infinitive?
The difference between an adjectival infinitive and an adverbial infinitive is the role they play in a sentence. If you know the difference between an adjective and an adverb, that will help. I know the difference but some infinitive verbs go after noun and I don't know if it is adjective or adverb?
When does the infinitive function as an adjective?
The infinitive functions as an adjective when it is preceded by a noun or noun phrase. Example: Jack has the persistence to succeed. ("to succeed" functions as an adjective) Infinitives can also be phrases that function as nouns or adjectives and follow the same rules for function identification.
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.

Can an infinitive function as an adverb?
An infinitive is a verbal consisting of the word to plus a verb (in its simplest "stem" form) and functioning as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
Can Infinitives be used as nouns adjectives or adverbs?
2:359:29What are INFINITIVES ? Its Usage as Nouns, Adjectives, AdverbsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGiven we know that infinitives are not used as a verb in fact it is used as nouns adjectives orMoreGiven we know that infinitives are not used as a verb in fact it is used as nouns adjectives or adverbs let's understand how infinitives are used with noun remember that a noun is a person place or
How does an infinitive work as an adjective?
Infinitive Phrase as an Adjective. When an infinitive phrase acts like an adjective in a sentence, it describes a noun or a pronoun. So, that means it will describe a subject or an object.
Is infinitive a verb or adjective?
What is an infinitive? An infinitive is a form of a verb that can be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb. They're often formed by the base verb with the word to added in front.
What are the 3 types of infinitives?
The forms of an infinitive Simple (present) infinitive. Continuous infinitive. Perfect infinitive.
What are the 5 types of infinitives?
Here's a discussion of the five types of infinitives.Subject. An infinitive can constitute the subject of a sentence. ... Direct Object. In the sentence “We all want to see,” “to see” is the direct object, the noun (or noun substitute) that receives the action of the verb. ... Subject Complement. ... Adjective. ... Adverb.
What is infinitive adjective examples?
Examples of Infinitives as Adjectives: The theatre is the place to go. The road is the place to drive. Titanic is the movie to watch. I have some things to sell. Samantha is the girl to love.
What is an example of a infinitive?
Examples include, “to walk,” “to read,” or “to eat.” Infinitives can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. As a noun, they might act as the subject of the sentence. For example, “To travel is the only thing on her mind.” As an adjective, they'll modify a noun.
What is an infinitive form of a word?
An infinitive verb, or a non-finite verb, is the basic form of a verb that presents an action as an idea or a concept rather than the specific action of a subject. An infinitive verb often follows the word “to” (as in “to walk”).
Why is infinitive not a verb?
Not every phrase that begins with “to” is an infinitive. In fact, we use the word “to” in prepositional phrases, as in the sentence, “We went to the store.” Although we sometimes call them “infinitive verbs,” these word forms do not act as verbs at all. Instead, they can act like nouns, adjectives or adverbs.
Are the to infinitives a noun or a verb?
What is an infinitive? An infinitive is formed from a verb but doesn't act as a verb. It acts as a noun, adjective, or adverb, and it is actually made up of two words: to + verb. These two words act together as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
What are infinitives in grammar?
An infinitive is a verbal, a verb form or construction that plays the role of a different part of speech in a sentence. Although infinitives contain verbs, they cannot function as verbs. They do not convey a sense of tense on their own, and sentences containing them must include at least one finite main verb.
What are infinitives examples?
Examples include, “to walk,” “to read,” or “to eat.” Infinitives can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. As a noun, they might act as the subject of the sentence. For example, “To travel is the only thing on her mind.” As an adjective, they'll modify a noun.
What are the 4 verbals?
Infinitives, gerunds, and participles are all types of verbals. An infinitive is a verbal consisting of to + a verb, and it acts like a subject, direct object, subject complement, adjective, or adverb in a sentence.
What are infinitive phrases?
An infinitive phrase is a group of words consisting of an infinitive, a modifier or the use of pronouns, direct objects, indirect objects or complements of action or state expressed in the infinitive.
How to identify infinitives?
How to Identify the Function of an Infinitive in a Sentence. Infinitives appear in sentences as root-form verbs introduced by the word "to.". For example, "to walk," "to bake," "to ski" and "to learn" are infinitives. It is often confusing to identify the function of infinitives because they are considered verbals, but they never function as verbs.
What is an infinitive?
Infinitives function as nouns, adjectives or adverbs in sentences. Additionally, because infinitives begin with the word "to," they are occasionally misidentified as prepositional phrases. A few tests will help you learn how to properly identify infinitives and what their function is in a particular sentence.
What is an example of an infinitive?
Example with infinitive following a verb: The library must fund-raise to re-open. To re-open, the library must fund-raise. ("to re-open" functions as an adverb in both sentences) Example with infinitive following a noun phrase: Bob must pass his oral exam to graduate.
When does an infinitive function as a noun?
The infinitive functions as a noun when it is preceded by a verb. Example: Lisa loves to bake. ("to bake" functions as a noun)
Can a sentence contain more than one infinitive?
Sentences may contain more than one infinitive or infinitive phrase. Example: The instructor's goal was to teach people how to study. (" to teach people" and "to study" are both infinitives)
