Download LESSON 36: INFINITIVE PHRASES

LESSON 36: INFINITIVE PHRASES
•
Phrases are groups of words, without both a subject and a verb, functioning as
single parts of speech.
•
Infinitives are made of to + a verb, and they act as nouns, adjectives, and
adverbs.
If you mixed those two definitions together, you'd get infinitive phrases!
An infinitive phrase is made of an infinitive (to + a verb) and any word(s) that modify
or complement it. The whole phrase acts as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
Examples: We drove to pass the time. I want to run marathons. I want to run with you.
To pass the time is an infinitive phrase acting as an adverb modifying drove. Why did we
drive? We drove to pass the time.
To run marathons is an infinitive phrase acting as a noun. It is the direct object of want.
What do I want? I want to run marathons.
To run with you is an infinitive phrase acting as a noun. It is the direct object of want.
What do I want? I want to run with you.
Complements and Modifiers
Infinitives act as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs. Because they are formed from verbs,
they maintain some of their "verbness" and can do many things that verbs can do.
We drove to pass the time.
To pass the time is an infinitive phrase. Time is a direct object of the infinitive to pass.
I want to run marathons.
To run marathons is an infinitive phrase. Marathons is the direct object of the infinitive to
run.
I want to run with you.
To run with you is an infinitive phrase. With you is a prepositional phrase modifying the
infinitive to run.
Infinitives can take direct objects, predicate nouns, and predicate adjectives.
Infinitive
+
Infinitive Phrase
to run
+ Direct Object
I want to run marathons.
to be
+ Predicate Noun
I want to be president.
to be
+ Predicate Adjective
I want to be happy.
GET SMART (STUDENT) LESSON 36
© www.English-Grammar-Revolution.com 1
Diagramming Infinitive Phrases
You basically already know how to diagram infinitive phrases because you've
diagrammed all of these things before! (Cool, huh?)
Treat the infinitive like a verb and diagram the infinitive phrase. Check out the examples.
Infinitive + Direct Object
I want to run marathons.
to run marathons = infinitive phrase
(noun, direct object of want)
to run = infinitive
marathons = direct object of
infinitive
Infinitive + Prepositional Phrase
I want to run with you.
to run with you = infinitive phrase
(noun, direct object of want)
to run = infinitive
with you = prepositional phrase
Infinitive + Predicate Adjective
I want to be happy.
to be happy = infinitive phrase
(noun, direct object of want)
to be = infinitive
happy = predicate adjective
2
GET SMART (STUDENT) LESSON 36
© www.English-Grammar-Revolution.com Lesson 36 Sentence Diagramming Exercises
1. To lose the soccer game would crush him.
Key
To lose the soccer game would crush him.
To lose the soccer game
infinitive phrase - subject (noun)
To lose
game
the, soccer
would crush
would
main verb (transitive active)
direct object (pronoun)
GET SMART (STUDENT) LESSON 36
© www.English-Grammar-Revolution.com 3
2. We drove to pass the time.
Key
We drove to pass the time.
subject (pronoun)
verb (intransitive complete)
infinitive phrase (adverb)
infinitive
direct object of infinitive (noun)
adjective
4
GET SMART (STUDENT) LESSON 36
© www.English-Grammar-Revolution.com 3. John asked to go to the bathroom.
Key
John asked to go to the bathroom.
subject (noun)
verb (transitive active)
to go to the bathroom
to go
to the bathroom
to
bathroom
the
GET SMART (STUDENT) LESSON 36
© www.English-Grammar-Revolution.com 5
4. To learn a new language is a difficult thing to do.
Hint: This sentence contains two infinitives. One is in an infinitive phrase and one isn't.
Key
To learn a new language is
a difficult thing to do.
To learn a new language
To learn
language
a, new
verb (intransitive linking)
thing
a, difficult
to do
6
GET SMART (STUDENT) LESSON 36
© www.English-Grammar-Revolution.com 5. I waved to get his attention.
Key
I waved to get his attention.
subject (pronoun)
waved
to get his attention
to get
attention
his
Extra Practice: Diagramming Infinitives & Infinitive Phrases
Directions: Diagram the following sentences on a separate sheet of paper.
1. If you want to be a doctor, you must study for years.
2. The party was one to remember.
3. John was happy to see Chris at the reunion.
4. We always wanted to see the Grand Canyon.
5. I worked at the café to pay for school.
GET SMART (STUDENT) LESSON 36
© www.English-Grammar-Revolution.com 7