Identify infinitives and infinitive phrases

Learning Objectives Define an infinitive and an infinitive phrase. Locate infinitives and their complete phrases within complex sentences. Differentiate between an infinitive and a prepositional phrase beginning with 'to'. Identify the function of an infinitive phrase as a noun, adjective, or adverb. Analyze how authors use infinitive phrases to create specific rhetorical effects. Construct sentences that correctly use infinitive phrases to add detail and variety. What do you hope to achieve this year? 🏆 The way you answer that question almost certainly uses the grammatical tool we're about to master! This tutorial will teach you how to identify and understand infinitives and infinitive phrases, which are verb forms that act as other parts of speech. Masteri...

TermDefinitionExample VerbalA word formed from a verb but functioning as a different part of speech, such as a noun, adjective, or adverb.In the sentence 'Running is fun,' the word 'Running' is a verbal (specifically, a gerund) acting as a noun. InfinitiveA type of verbal that consists of the word 'to' followed by the base form of a verb. It is the most basic form of a verb.to read, to think, to analyze, to become Infinitive PhraseA phrase that includes the infinitive, plus any modifiers, objects, or complements that complete its meaning.to read the book quickly Function as a NounWhen an infinitive or infinitive phrase acts as the subject, direct object, or predicate nominative in a sentence.Her goal is *to win the debate*. (Predicate Nominative) Function as...

The Infinitive Formula to + [base form of a verb] This is the fundamental structure of an infinitive. Always look for the word 'to' immediately followed by a verb in its simplest form (e.g., 'run', not 'ran' or 'running'). The Infinitive Phrase Structure [infinitive] + [modifiers (adverbs)] + [objects (nouns/pronouns)] To find the complete infinitive phrase, start with the infinitive and include all the words that complete its thought. The phrase ends when you reach a verb or punctuation that is not part of the infinitive's action. Determining Function Ask what role the phrase plays in the sentence. Does it name something (Noun)? Describe something (Adjective)? Or explain why/how (Adverb)? To determine the function, try re...