Infinitives and Infinitive Phrases
Infinitives
An infinitive is a verb form that can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. Most infinitives begin with to, but occasionally the word to is omitted.
EXAMPLES
- Is it time to go? [The infinitive to go is used as an adjective to modify time.]
- Try to exercise daily. [The infinitive to exercise is used as a noun. The infinitive phrase is the direct object of the verb Try.]
- Your next task is to lift this crate. [The infinitive to lift is used as a noun. The infinitive phrase is the predicate nominative of the verb is.]
TIP
Remember that the word to is often used as a preposition.
- If to is followed by a noun or pronoun, to is a preposition.
- If to is followed by a verb, to is the sign of the infinitive.
INFINITIVES
- to permit
- to count
- to observe
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES
EXAMPLES
- To apply a good coat of paint, sand and clean the surface first. [The infinitive To apply has a direct object, coat. Coat is modified by a and good and by the prepositional phrase of paint. The whole infinitive phrase functions as an adverb modifying the verbs sand and clean.]
- My little brother is easy to put to bed. [The infinitive to put is modified by the prepositional phrase to bed. The whole phrase functions as an adverb modifying the adjective easy.]
NOTE
In formal speech and writing it is best to avoid “splitting infinitives.” An infinitive is “split” if a modifying word or words come between the sign of the infinitive, to, and the verb.
SPLIT INFINITIVE
- My parents plan to soon buy a new computer.
REVISED
- My parents plan to buy a new computer soon.
<->
FAQs:
Q: What is an infinitive?
A: An infinitive is the basic form of a verb with "to" in front of it. For example, to run, to jump, to think, to smile. Infinitives can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
Q: What is an infinitive phrase?
A: An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive plus any complements or modifiers. For example, to run fast, to eat a hearty breakfast, to smile happily.
Q: How can you use infinitives in a sentence?
A: Infinitives can be used as the subject, direct object, predicate nominative, object of a preposition, and adjective or adverb in a sentence.
Q: What is a split infinitive?
A: A split infinitive separates "to" from the verb with an adverb or phrase. For example, to boldly go, to quickly run. Some style guides advise against splitting infinitives.
Q: How can you avoid split infinitives?
A: To avoid split infinitives, move the adverb so it doesn't separate "to" from the verb. For example, to go boldly, to run quickly.
References
- The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition, University of Chicago Press, 2017.
- Practical English Usage, 4th Edition by Michael Swan, Oxford University Press, 2016.
- Garner's Modern English Usage, 4th Edition by Bryan A. Garner, Oxford University Press, 2016.
- English Grammar Demystified, 2nd Edition by Jim Peterson, McGraw-Hill Education, 2012.
- Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer, Random House, 2019.