lesson 36: infinitive phrases - amazon s3...lesson 36: infinitive phrases • phrases are groups of...

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LESSON 36: INFINITIVE PHRASES • Phrases are groups of words, without both a subject and a verb, functioning as

single parts of speech.

• Infinitives are made of to + a verb, and they act as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.

If you mixed those two definitions together, you'd get infinitive phrases!

An infinitive phrase is made of an infinitive (to + a verb) and any word(s) that modify or complement it. The whole phrase acts as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

Examples: We drove to pass the time. I want to run marathons. I want to run with you.

To pass the time is an infinitive phrase acting as an adverb modifying drove. Why did we drive? We drove to pass the time.

To run marathons is an infinitive phrase acting as a noun. It is the direct object of want. What do I want? I want to run marathons.

To run with you is an infinitive phrase acting as a noun. It is the direct object of want. What do I want? I want to run with you.

Complements and Modifiers

Infinitives act as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs. Because they are formed from verbs, they maintain some of their "verbness" and can do many things that verbs can do.

We drove to pass the time.

To pass the time is an infinitive phrase. Time is a direct object of the infinitive to pass.

I want to run marathons.

To run marathons is an infinitive phrase. Marathons is the direct object of the infinitive to run. I want to run with you.

To run with you is an infinitive phrase. With you is a prepositional phrase modifying the infinitive to run.

Infinitives can take direct objects, predicate nouns, and predicate adjectives.

Infinitive + Infinitive Phrase

to run + Direct Object I want to run marathons.

to be + Predicate Noun I want to be president.

to be + Predicate Adjective I want to be happy.

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Diagramming Infinitive Phrases

You basically already know how to diagram infinitive phrases because you've diagrammed all of these things before! (Cool, huh?)

Treat the infinitive like a verb and diagram the infinitive phrase. Check out the examples.

Infinitive + Direct Object

I want to run marathons.

to run marathons = infinitive phrase

(noun, direct object of want)

to run = infinitive

marathons = direct object of infinitive

Infinitive + Prepositional Phrase

I want to run with you.

to run with you = infinitive phrase (noun, direct object of want)

to run = infinitive

with you = prepositional phrase

Infinitive + Predicate Adjective

I want to be happy.

to be happy = infinitive phrase

(noun, direct object of want)

to be = infinitive

happy = predicate adjective


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Lesson 36 Sentence Diagramming Exercises

1. To lose the soccer game would crush him.

Key

To lose the soccer game would crush him. sentence - statement

To lose the soccer game infinitive phrase - subject (noun)

To lose infinitive

game direct object of infinitive (noun)

the, soccer adjectives

would crush verb phrase

would helping verb

crush main verb (transitive active)

him direct object (pronoun)


2. We drove to pass the time.

Key

We drove to pass the time. sentence - statement

We subject (pronoun)

drove verb (intransitive complete)

to pass the time infinitive phrase (adverb)

to pass infinitive

time direct object of infinitive (noun)

the adjective


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3. John asked to go to the bathroom.

Key

John asked to go to the bathroom. sentence - statement

John subject (noun)

asked verb (transitive active)

to go to the bathroom infinitive phrase - direct object (noun)

to go infinitive

to the bathroom prepositional phrase (adverb)

to preposition

bathroom object of the preposition (noun)

the adjective


4. To learn a new language is a difficult thing to do.

Hint: This sentence contains two infinitives. One is in an infinitive phrase and one isn't.

Key

To learn a new language is a difficult thing to do.

sentence - statement

To learn a new language infinitive phrase - subject (noun)

To learn infinitive

language direct object of infinitive (noun)

a, new adjectives

is verb (intransitive linking)

thing predicate noun

a, difficult adjectives

to do infinitive (adjective)


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5. I waved to get his attention.

Key

I waved to get his attention. sentence - statement

I subject (pronoun)

waved verb (intransitive complete)

to get his attention infinitive phrase (adverb)

to get infinitive

attention direct object of infinitive (noun)

his adjective

Extra Practice: Diagramming Infinitives & Infinitive Phrases Directions: Diagram the following sentences on a separate sheet of paper. Teachers, the answers are on the next page.

1. If you want to be a doctor, you must study for years.

2. The party was one to remember.

3. John was happy to see Chris at the reunion.

4. We always wanted to see the Grand Canyon.

5. I worked at the café to pay for school.


Lesson 36 Extra Practice Answers

Diagramming Infinitives & Infinitive Phrases

1. If you want to be a doctor, you must study for years.

2. The party was one to remember.

3. John was happy to see Chris at the reunion.

4. We always wanted to see the Grand Canyon.

5. I worked at the café to pay for school.


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lesson 36: infinitive phrases - amazon s3...lesson 36: infinitive phrases • phrases are groups of...

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