Infinitives

Verbals

Standard

ELACC8L1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

a. Explain the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) in general and their function in particular sentences.

Infinitives

An infinitive is a verbal that is made up of to + a verb and acts as a noun, adjective, or adverb

Ex. I want to eat chicken for dinner.

Infinitive Phrases

An infinitive phrase is an infinitive plus all of the words that complete it. It includes: to+verb and any prepositional phrases, objects, or modifiers that go with it.

Ex. I love to shop at Target. Ex. Tigers like to live alone. Ex. That lioness is going to pounce on an

antelope.

To + Verb= Infinitive

Ex. My dog likes to play with socks.

Ex. Dan is going to take Wendy to the dance.

Be Careful

Do not mix up infinitives with prepositional phrases starting with “to”

Infinitive= to + verb Ex. My dog likes to swim

Prepositional Phrase with “to”= to + object Ex. Bobby went to the baseball fields. Ex. I am going to go to the mall.

Find Infinitives/Infinitive Phrases

1. The mouse wants to finish the maze so that he can eat the piece of cheese at the end of it.

2. Be certain to study. 3. Allen’s children like to make things out of

duct tape. 4. Is it going to be cold?5. I want to go outside. 6. I ran back to my locker to grab my notebook.