Download Infinitives and Infinitive Phrases

An infinitive is formed from the word “to”
together with the base form (present tense)
of a verb.
to skate
to write
to shimmer
to see
to stop
to use
Remember:
An infinitive is the word “to” plus a
VERB.
If you see the word “to” plus a noun or
pronoun, it is a prepositional phrase.
I love to go to the zoo.
Infinitives are used as nouns most of the
time, but they also can be used as
adjectives or adverbs.
Many children like to skate.
Subject
Direct object
To stop is sometimes difficult
He is to blame.
Predicate Adjective
He lives to eat.
Adverb
An infinitive phrase is a group of words
that include an infinitive and all the words
that complete its meaning.
So, it’s the infinitive plus its object and all
the other words to make it make sense.
…the infinitive, its object and all its in
between modifying words
If it’s the subject, it is the infinitive and
all the words up to the verb.
To eat all his dog food was Willie’s goal.
If it’s the predicate noun or direct object,
it’s the infinitive and all the words to the
end of the sentence or to another clause.
Rickie and Willie’s job is to eradicate the
house of bugs.
Examples of infinitive phrases as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.
A separates the infinitive phrase. Verbs are underlined.
1. As a subject
To read about the history of spices can
be fascinating.
2. As a predicate noun
One basic use of spices has been to flavor
food.
3. As a direct object
Mahatma Gandhi started to study
famous religious works.
4. As a direct object with a noun or pronoun
preceding the infinitive.
Officials had forced him to leave the
train.
5. As an appositive
L’Enfant had a vision, to create a city of
wide avenues and vistas.
6. As an adjective
The book was a great way to learn about
history.
7. As an adverb (describing a verb)
Susan went to take a trip in a covered
wagon.
8. As an adverb (describing an adjective)
He was excited to ride a horse for the
first time.
Do not split an infinitive.
That means that you should not put an
adverb between the “to” and the verb.
We were told to carefully view each star.
We were told to view each star carefully.
We started to optimistically watch the sky for
a comet.
Optimistically, we started to watch the sky for
a comet.
Find the infinitive phrases and what they do in the sentence.
1.
2.
3.
4.
To install the ceiling fan took two hours.
Winona’s ambition is to become a doctor.
Sharon likes to skate but not to ski.
The best time to visit Florida is December
through April.
5. The gymnasts were ready to practice their
routines.
6. I learned to place a small drop of oil on
each link.
7. Taking care of your bicycle is one way to
make it last.
8. We used machine oil to lubricate the
chain.
9. Then, she showed me the valve that is
needed to fill the inner tube.
10. Using a hand pump, we added some air to
the back tire.
11. My aunt said not to pull the wrench too
hard.
Healy, Patricia. Voyages in English. Chicago: Loyola Press, 2011.
Odell, Lee. Elements of Language. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2004.