Infinitives To plus the verb

An infinitive is A verb form, usually proceeded by “to”, that can be used as: An adjective A noun An adverb

Infinitives used as nouns Can function as any noun does. (Subject, direct object, IO, predicate nominative, or object of the preposition) EX: To love is to care. (To love is the subject; to care is a predicate nominative) EX2: Cheryl wanted to work on the play in any way but to act. (To work is the direct object, to act is the object of the preposition)

Infinitives used as Adjectives Functions as an adjective does. Answers: what kind, which one, how many? (Hint: An infinitive will usually come AFTER the word it modifies, unlike regular adjectives) EX: The place to visit is Williamsburg. (to visit is modifying place)

Infinitives used as adverbs An adverb answers the following questions of a verb, an adjective, or another adverb: Where? We lived there. When? Water that plant weekly. How? The rain fell softly. To what extent? I am completely happy.

Examples: Roderick jumped to shoot the ball. (To shoot modifies jumped.)

BE CAREFUL! Be sure that you are identifying infinitives and NOT prepositional phrases! Infinitives are verb forms Prep phrases will contain a preposition and a noun as the object.

Example prep phrases vs. infinitives I like to play music while I walk to school.