infinitives & infinitive phrases...infinitive phrase practice 1. shelly wanted to ride the...

INFINITIVES & INFINITIVE

PHRASESMinilesson

THE REA DING & WRITING HA V EN

DEFINITION

A type of verbal

Formula = to + verb

Functions as a noun (subject, direct object, or subject complement), adjective, or adverb


INFINITIVES IN LITERATURE

Hamlet: To be, or not to be?

To Kill a Mockingbird

Star Trek: To boldly go


LET’S FIND SOME INFINITIVES!

1. John wanted to talk to Jim at lunch.

2. It’s rude to pick your nose in public.

3. The toddler wanted to talk about candy all day.

4. I’m going to throw a potato at you.

5. The baby tried to sneeze on my new shirt.


Underline the infinitive in each sentence.

1. John wanted to talk to Jim at lunch.

2. It’s rude to pick your nose in public.

3. The toddler wanted to talk about candy all day.

4. I’m going to throw a potato at you.

5. The baby tried to sneeze on my new shirt.


FUNCTION

Finding an infinitive is easy.

Determining the function of an infinitive can be confusing.

Let’s take a look at some examples…


INFINITIVE AS SUBJECT

To leave seemed foolish when a hurricane was on the way.


What seemedfoolish?

INFINITIVE AS DIRECT OBJECT

The Cubs wanted to win the World Series.


The Cubs

wanted what?

infinitive follows an

action verb

INFINITIVE AS SUBJECT COMPLEMENT

Her goal is to ace the final exam.


Her goal is

what?

infinitive follows a

linking verb

INFINITIVE AS ADJECTIVE

She lacked the desire to study.


The infinitive

is describing the NOUN“desire.”

INFINITIVE AS ADVERB

We should practice to improve.


The infinitive

is describing the VERB. It is saying why

we should practice.

FUNCTION I.D. PRACTICE!

1. We all want to see the pictures of Hawaii.

2. My goal is to finish the marathon.

3. He took the class to understand the way people think.

4. She didn’t have the guts to cheat.

5. To quit after all our hard work didn’t seem right.


Underline the infinitive in each sentence. Then,

determine its function.

1. We all want to see the pictures of Hawaii.

(D.O. answering What? after an action verb)

2. My goal is to finish the marathon.

(S.C. – P.N. answering What? after a linking verb)

3. He took the class to understand the way people think.

(Adverb – why did he take the class?)

4. She didn’t have the guts to cheat.

(Adjective – describes the noun “guts”)

5. To quit after all our hard work didn’t seem right.

(Subject)


CAUTION!

Don’t confuse an infinitive with a preposition.

Both can begin with the word “to.”

BUT…

Infinitive = to + verb

Preposition = to + noun/pronoun (object)


PREPOSITION OR INFINITIVE?

1. I’m so excited to go on vacation.

2. On vacation, we are going to Disney World.

3. We have to take the interstate to get there.

4. Upon arrival, we will go to our hotel room.

5. I’m so excited to sleep in a hotel!


Determine whether the underlined words in each

sentence are an infinitive or a preposition.

1. I’m so excited to go on vacation.

(INFINITIVE)

2. On vacation, we are going to Disney World.

(PREPOSITION)

3. We have to take the interstate to get there.

(INFINITIVE)

4. Upon arrival, we will go to our hotel room.

(PREPOSITION)

5. I’m so excited to sleep in a hotel!

(INFINITIVE)


INFINITIVE PHRASE

Formula = to + verb + modifiers

Examples:

We tried to arrive on time.

Sally wanted to give me a present.


to + verb + modifiers

INFINITIVE PHRASE PRACTICE

1. Shelly wanted to ride the rollercoaster.

2. They wanted me to be the captain of the team.

3. Mom wanted to give me money.

4. To finish her job without spilling paint all over the floor is

Leah’s main goal.

5. The best way to survive fifth period is to take doodling

materials to class.


Underline the infinitive phrase in each sentence.

ANSWERS

1. Shelly wanted to ride the rollercoaster.

2. They wanted me to be the captain of the team.

3. Mom wanted to give me money.

4. To finish her job without spilling paint all over the floor is

Leah’s main goal.

5. The best way to survive fifth period is to take doodling

materials to class.


Sometimes it helps to find the subject and verb.

infinitives & infinitive phrases...infinitive phrase practice 1. shelly wanted to ride the...

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