Verbals I: Infinitives

Shakespeare & Infinitives

Infinitives Video

Infinitives To sneeze, to smash, to cry, to shriek, to jump, to dunk, to read, to eat, to slurp—all of these are infinitives. An infinitive will almost always begin with to, followed by the simple form of the verb, like this: to + verb = infinitive Important Note: Because an infinitive is not a verb, you cannot add s, es, ed, or ing to the end. Ever!

Examples To sleep is the only thing Eli wants after his double shift waiting tables at the neighborhood café. (To sleep – subject; noun) Wherever Melissa goes, she always brings a book to read in case conversation lags or she has a long wait. (to read – adjective modifying book) More examples on page 154

Warning Don’t confuse an infinitive with a prepositional phrase that begins with to. Prepositional phrases always have objects that are nouns or pronouns. Example: I handed the vase to my mother.

Practice Exercise 10, page 155

Characteristics of Nouns, Adjectives, and Adverbs Function as subjects or objects Modify nouns and pronouns Modify verbs, other adverbs, and adjectives Are persons, places, things, or ideas Answer the questions What kind How many Which one How When Where Why To what extent Usually end in -ly

Infinitive Phrases An infinitive phrase is made up of the infinitive (to + verb) and any modifiers the infinitive has. The entire phrase may be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. Examples, pp 155 -156

Practice Exercise 11, p 156