Infinitives

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How Infinitives Function in a How Infinitives Function in a SentenceSentence

Infinitives and infinitive phrases Infinitives and infinitive phrases function in one of three ways:function in one of three ways:

– NounNoun

– AdverbAdverb

– AdjectiveAdjective

Infinitives as AdverbsInfinitives as Adverbs

– Does the infinitive phrase (read it aloud) tell me “Why?” and then read the rest of the sentence.

– Dad drove to the store to buy a shirt.

Infinitives as Adverbs

– The train stopped to prevent an The train stopped to prevent an accident with the workers.accident with the workers.

– The boy ran to the corner to greet his The boy ran to the corner to greet his father.father.

– The dog jumped the fence to fetch the The dog jumped the fence to fetch the ball.ball.

Infinitives as AdjectivesInfinitives as Adjectives

If the infinitive or infinitive phase is an If the infinitive or infinitive phase is an adjective, it will modify the noun or the adjective, it will modify the noun or the pronoun to its left and tell “Which one?” or pronoun to its left and tell “Which one?” or “What kind?”“What kind?”

– His efforts to save the cub were in vain.His efforts to save the cub were in vain.

– The writer has a unique ability to convey evil characters.

Infinitives with Subjects

– He wants me to attend the meeting on Wednesday.

– The coach wanted the quarterback to throw the wide receiver a short pass.

SummarySummaryInfinitives function as– Nouns (sub, do, op, pn) – Adverbs ( tell “why?” or come after a pa)– Adjectives (tell “which one?” or “what kind?”

This powerpoint presentation was designed to show how infinitives and infinitive phrases functions as adjectives and adverbs.

SummarySummary

Infinitives can be used with gerunds and Infinitives can be used with gerunds and participles and other infinitives:participles and other infinitives:The doctor’s orders to stop smoking was The doctor’s orders to stop smoking was difficult to do.difficult to do.The father wanted to watch his son play The father wanted to watch his son play football.football.Wishing to avoid an argument Debra left the Wishing to avoid an argument Debra left the room.room.He wanted to pet the dog lying on the floor.He wanted to pet the dog lying on the floor.

Adjective modifies orders

Direct object of the first infinitive/ first infinitive is DO of wanted

Direct object of the participle

Direct object of the verb wanted…lying…participle that modifies dog