Download LESSON 35: INFINITIVES

LESSON 35: INFINITIVES
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Verbals are words that are formed from verbs but don't act as verbs.
You've already learned about two types of verbals: gerunds and participles. Now you're
going to learn about the third type: infinitives.
Infinitives are verbals that are usually made of two words: to + a verb.
They act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
Examples: I love to swim. The person to call is Joan. I wanted to drive.
Can you see how to swim, to call, and to drive are infinitives?
They are formed from verbs (swim, call, drive), they take the form of to + a verb, and
they are not acting as verbs.
To swim is an infinitive acting as a noun (the direct object of the verb love). To call is an
infinitive acting as an adjective modifying person. To drive is an infinitive acting as a
noun (the direct object of the verb wanted).
Infinitives Act As Nouns, Adjectives, or Adverbs
Infinitives can do so many things. You know that gerunds act as nouns and participles
act as adjectives.
Well, infinitives are the most versatile type of verbal. They can act as three different
parts of speech. Geez, these guys are overachievers!
Infinitive or Prepositional Phrase?
You may have noticed that the word to can be a preposition. How will you be able to tell
when to is in a prepositional phrase and when to is part of an infinitive?
When to is followed by a noun or pronoun, it's a preposition. When to is followed by a
verb, it creates an infinitive.
Prepositional Phrase = to + noun/ pronoun
Infinitive = to + verb
Prepositional Phrases
Infinitive
We drove to the store.
We drove to pass the time.
My dog came home to me.
My dog came home to eat.
I waved to my teacher.
I waved to get his attention.
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1 Diagramming Infinitives
The to part of the infinitive is diagrammed on a slanted line, and the verb part of the
infinitive is diagrammed on a horizontal line that is connected to the slanted line.
Use a forked line to attach the infinitive part of the diagram to the space in the main
sentence diagram that corresponds to how the infinitive is acting.
That sounds complicated, but it will be clearer when we look at some examples.
Infinitives as Nouns
You know what this means, right? This means that infinitives can do any of the noun
jobs.
Subject: To lose would crush him.
Direct Object: I love to swim.
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Infinitives as Adjectives
I know that you remember what adjectives do. (They modify nouns and pronouns.)
When infinitives act as adjectives, they modify nouns or pronouns.
Adjective: The person to call is Joan.
Infinitives as Adverbs
I’m sure you also remember what adverbs do. (They modify verbs, adjectives, and other
adverbs.) When infinitives act as adverbs, they modify verbs, adjectives, or other
adverbs.
Adverb: Grammar is fun to learn.
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3 Lesson 35 Sentence Diagramming Exercises
1. Mike and Phil want to swim.
Key
Mike and Phil want to swim.
Mike, Phil
sentence - statement
compound subject (nouns)
and
coordinating conjunction
want
verb (transitive active)
to swim
direct object (infinitive) (noun)
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2. I went to the park to walk.
Key
I went to the park to walk.
I
went
to the park
to
sentence - statement
subject (pronoun)
verb (intransitive complete)
prepositional phrase (adverb)
preposition
park
object of the preposition (noun)
the
adjective
to walk
adverb (infinitive)
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5 3. Challenge Sentence! The book to read is the one that my friend recommended.
Hints: This sentence has an independent clause and a dependent clause.
The infinitive is acting as an adjective modifying the subject of the independent clause.
That my friend recommended is a dependent adjective clause modifying the predicate
noun one in the main clause.
Key
The book to read is the one that
my friend recommended.
The book to read is the one
sentence - statement
book
independent clause (Yes. It does sound a
little strange, but it's true!)
subject (noun)
The
adjective
to read
is
adjective (infinitive)
verb (intransitive linking)
one
predicate noun
the
adjective
that my friend recommended
friend
my
recommended
dependent adjective clause
subject of adjective clause (noun)
adjective
verb (transitive active)
that
direct object of adjective clause (relative
pronoun)
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4. I went to John's house to study.
Key
I went to John's house to study.
I
went
to John's house
to
sentence - statement
subject (pronoun)
verb (intransitive complete)
prepositional phrase (adverb)
preposition
house
object of the preposition (noun)
John's
adjective
to study
adverb (infinitive)
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7 5. I learned to dance at the workshop in Los Angeles.
Key
I learned to dance at the workshop
in Los Angeles.
I
sentence - statement
learned
verb (transitive active)
to dance
direct object (infinitive) (noun)
at the workshop
prepositional phrase (adverb)
at
workshop
the
in Los Angeles
in
Los Angeles
subject (pronoun)
preposition
object of the preposition (noun)
adjective
prepositional phrase (adjective)
preposition
object of the preposition (noun)
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