daens

The Infinitive and
the Infinitive Phrase

What is an
Infinitive?

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An infinitive looks like a verb, but it
begins with “TO”, and it functions as a
noun (subject, direct object, predicatenominative), adjective, or adverb.

Wait just a minute …
●

An infinitive phrase = to + verb


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BUT IT NEVER FUNCTIONS AS THE VERB
IN A SENTENCE!!!!!


NEVER, EVER, EVER …

EVERRole #1

Infinitive = Noun


***3 different types***
●
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To leave the party would be rude.
To leave …infinitive as the subject


●
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No one wants to stay.
To stay …infinitive asthe Direct Object


●
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Her goal is to win.
To win …infinitive as the Predicate
Nominative or Predicate Noun

Role #2

Infinitive = Adjective
●

Samuel White is the candidate to watchthis
election.


To watch …infinitive as an adjective
Which candidate is Samuel…the one to watch.
●


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To watch gives more info. about candidate – a
big hint is the adj. comes just afterthe noun it
modifies.

Role #3

Infinitive = Adverb
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We came to cheer.


To cheer …infinitive as an adverb
Why did they come... to cheer
●


●

To cheer gives more information aboutthe
verb.

What is an 

Infinitive Phrase?


● An

infinitive phrase begins with
the infinitive (starts with “to +
verb”) and includes all of its
modifiers.

The Infinitive Phrase
●●

To get a medical degree is her goal.
To get a medical degree is her goal.


●
●

We have time to walk to the game.
We have time to walk to the game.


●
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He is eager to give Corythe award.
He is eager to give Cory the award.

Infinitive Phrase or Prepositional
Phrase?
●

Both phrases begin with “to”.


●
●

Infinitive phrase is “to + verb”
Prepositional phraseis “to + noun/pronoun”


●
●

I wanted to walk to the beach.
I wanted to walk (infinitive) to the beach
(preposition).

What Are You Expected To Do
With Infinitive Phrases?
●

Be...