lesson 35: infinitives · lesson 35: infinitives • verbals are words that are formed from verbs...

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LESSON 35: INFINITIVES • 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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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.


Lesson 35 Sentence Diagramming Exercises

1. Mike and Phil want to swim.

Key

Mike and Phil want to swim. sentence - statement

Mike, Phil 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. sentence - statement

I subject (pronoun)

went verb (intransitive complete)

to the park prepositional phrase (adverb)

to preposition

park object of the preposition (noun)

the adjective

to walk adverb (infinitive)


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.

sentence - statement

The book to read is the one independent clause (Yes. It does sound a little strange, but it's true!)

book subject (noun)

The adjective

to read adjective (infinitive)

is verb (intransitive linking)

one predicate noun

the adjective

that my friend recommended dependent adjective clause

friend subject of adjective clause (noun)

my adjective

recommended 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. sentence - statement

I subject (pronoun)

went verb (intransitive complete)

to John's house prepositional phrase (adverb)

to preposition

house object of the preposition (noun)

John's adjective

to study adverb (infinitive)


5. I learned to dance at the workshop in Los Angeles.

Key

I learned to dance at the workshop in Los Angeles.

sentence - statement

I subject (pronoun)

learned verb (transitive active)

to dance direct object (infinitive) (noun)

at the workshop prepositional phrase (adverb)

at preposition

workshop object of the preposition (noun)

the adjective

in Los Angeles prepositional phrase (adjective)

in preposition

Los Angeles object of the preposition (noun)

lesson 35: infinitives · lesson 35: infinitives • verbals are words that are formed from verbs...

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