The Infinitive

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The Infinitive

• They almost always start with To

2
What is an infinitive?

• A verb form that can be used as
• Noun
• Adjective
• adverb

3
What does it look like?

• Think of it like this
• To verb infinitive!

4
Example of an infinitive

• To install the ceiling fan took two hours.
• here its being used as the subject of a
  sentence

5
Heres another one

• Shina likes to skate but not to ski.
• Here we see an infinitive acting as direct
  objects of the verb likes

6
And another!

• Winonas ambition is to become a doctor.
• here we see an infinitive acting as a predicate
  nominative

7
Heres two just modifying

• The best time to visit Florida is December
  through April.
• (modifying time)
• If you want information about computers, that is
  the magazine to read.
• (modifying magazine)

8
Here are some infinitives acting as adverbs

• The gymnasts were ready to practice their
  routines.
• (modifying ready)
• The camel knelt at the pool to drink.
• (modifying knelt)

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F.Y.I.

• DO NOT split your infinitives, such as to boldly
  go
• Infinitives ARE NOT the main verb of the sentence
• Infinitives ARE NOT prepositional phrases

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Infinitive or prepositional phrase?

• I handed the vase to my brother.
• Yes! Prepositional phrase!
• Is she ready to swim?
• Yes! Infinitive!

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Practice Where are the infinitives?

1. To visit the pyramids in Egypt would be exciting.
2. Laurie said that the best place to go on Friday
   is the roller rink.
3. Elaine wants to be a writer after she graduates.
4. The idea to remember is that an infinitive is a
   verb form.
5. The neatly chopped tomatoes were ready to go into
   the salad.
6. The clerk gave the sack of groceries to him.
7. Emile read the article to find information about
   Korea.

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QUESTIONS??
FIN