Infinitive Phrases
Infinitive phrases are phrases that look like infinitives but they are used in special positions.
What Are Infinitive Phrases?
'Infinitive phrases' are phrases that are comprised of the particle 'to' and a verb, such as to study, to drink, to dance, etc. Infinitive phrases are used as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.
Infinitive Phrases: Function
Infinitive phrases can take different grammatical functions:
Infinitive Phrases as Subjects
'Infinitive phrases' can be nouns and as a result, they can be used as subjects in sentences. Remember, subjects are normally used at the beginning of the sentences. Here are a few examples in which the infinitive phrases are used as subjects:
Infinitive Phrases as Objects
'Infinitive phrases' can also be used as objects after transitive verbs. Here are a few examples:
I love
I hate
Infinitive Phrases as Modifiers
Infinitive phrases can also be used as adjectives describing or modifying nouns. Here are a few examples of infinitive phrases that are used as adjectives.
This is a hotel
She was a friend
Infinitive Phrases as Adverbs
Infinitive phrases can also be used as adverbs and give further information about the verb, adjective, or another adverb in a sentence. Here are a few examples:
I stopped
I just eat
Split Infinitives
Sometimes there is an additional word between the particle to and the verb, so they make an infinitive in which you can divide the two parts of the infinitive that in this case, an informal conversation is made. For example:
You need
They went
Review
Infinitive phrases are to-infinitives that are used as:
- nouns (subjects and objects)
- adjectives
- adverbs