Infinitives

Veronica Minga Language

An infinitive is a phrase, consisting of the word to and the basic form of a verb, that functions as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. Heres a discussion of the five types of infinitives.

1. Subject An infinitive can constitute the subject of a sentence. For example, in To go, even after all that trouble, didnt seem worthwhile anymore, to go is the action that drives the sentence.

2. Direct Object In the sentence We all want to see, to see is the direct object, the noun (or noun substitute) that receives the action of the verb. To see refers to a thing being done or, in this case, desired to be done: the act of seeing.

3. Subject Complement In My goal is to write, to write is the subject complement. A subject complement looks just like a direct object, but the difference is in the type of verb preceding it. The verb in the previous example, want, is a transitive verb. (Transitive verbs have two defining characteristics: They precede a direct object, and they express an action.)

In My goal is to write, the verb is a copular, or linking, verb one that links a subject to a word or phrase that complements it. (In this sentence, to write is the goal, so its the complement of goal. Note that in the previous example, to see is what those referred to as we want, but its not the complement of we.)

4. Adjective In She didnt have permission to go, to go modifies permission it describes what type of permission is being discussed so the phrase serves as an adjective.

5. Adverb In He took the psychology class to try to understand human behavior, to understand (human behavior) explains why the taking of the class occurred, so its an adverb modifying the verb took.

The most common uses of the infinitive are: To indicate the purpose or intention of an action (where the 'to' has the same meaning as 'in order to' or 'so as to'):

She's gone to collect her pay cheque. The three bears went into the forest to find firewood. As the subject of the sentence:

To be or not to be, that is the question.

To know her is to love her. (Note: this is more common in written English than spoken) With nouns or pronouns, to indicate what something can be used for, or what is to be done with it:

Would you like something to drink? I haven't anything to wear. The children need a garden to play in. After adjectives in these patterns:

It is + adjective +to-infinitive It is good to talk It is + adjective + infinitive + for someone + to-infinitive. It is hard for elephants to see mice It is + adjective + infintive + of someone + to-infinitive. It is unkind of her to say that. After an adjective + noun when a comment or judgement is being made:

It was a stupid place to park the car. This is the right thing to do. It was an astonishing way to behave. With too and enough in these patterns: too much/many (+ noun) + to-infinitive

There's too much sugar to put in this bowl. I had too many books to carry. too + adjective + to-infinitive

This soup is too hot to eat. She was too tired to work. too + adverb + to-infinitive

He arrived too late to see the actors. enough (+ noun) + to-infinitive

I've had enough (food) to eat. adjective + enough + to-infinitive

She's old enough to make up her own mind.

not enough (+noun) + to-infinitive

There isn't enough snow to ski on. not + adjective + enough + to-infinitive

You're not old enough to have grand-children!

Bibliography

http://www.edufind.com/english/grammar/infinitive_function.php http://www.dailywritingtips.com/5-uses-of-infinitives/