Identify infinitives and infinitive phrases

Key Notes:

Definition of Infinitives:

• An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by the word “to.”
• Examples: to eat, to write, to learn.

Infinitives as Parts of Speech:

• Infinitives can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a sentence.
• As a noun: To read is fun.
• As an adjective: She has a book to read.
• As an adverb: He went to the store to buy groceries.

Infinitive Phrases:

• An infinitive phrase consists of the infinitive verb plus any complements or modifiers.
• Example: to finish the project on time, to travel around the world.
• These phrases can function in the same way as single infinitives (noun, adjective, adverb).

Identifying Infinitives:

• Look for the word “to” followed by the base form of a verb.
• Be careful not to confuse infinitives with prepositional phrases (e.g., to the store).

Distinguishing from Gerunds and Participles:

• Gerunds: Verbs ending in “-ing” that function as nouns (e.g., reading is enjoyable).
• Participles: Verbs ending in “-ing” or “-ed” that function as adjectives (e.g., the running water).
• Unlike infinitives, gerunds and participles do not have “to” before the verb.

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing “to” + noun with infinitives (e.g., to school vs. to learn).
• Splitting infinitives unnecessarily (e.g., to boldly go instead of to go boldly).

Practice Identification:

• Ask students to underline or highlight the infinitive in a sentence.
• Identify the function of the infinitive in the sentence (noun, adjective, adverb).

Examples and Exercises:

• Provide sentences with infinitives and ask students to identify them.
• Example: She plans to study hard for the exam.
• Exercise: Create sentences using infinitive phrases as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.

Use in Writing:

• Encourage students to incorporate infinitives and infinitive phrases in their writing to add variety.
• Discuss how infinitives can express purpose (e.g., I woke up early to exercise).