1.  UNIT 1 CDA  8 th Grade  Commas  Verbs  Tense  Phrases  Writing Process  Steps & what takes place  Parts of an essay & what should be in each  7 th Grade  Confusing Words  Pronouns  Writing Process  Steps & what takes place  Parts of an essay & what should be in each  The persuasive essay

2.  Infinitives

3.   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 can not add s, es, ed, or ing to the end. Ever!

4.  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

5.   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. Warning

6.   Exercise 10, page 155 Practice

7.   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 Infinitive Phrases

8.   Exercise 11, p 156 Practice