Which Sentence Contains An Infinitive

Decoding Infinitives: Identifying Infinitive Phrases in Sentences

Understanding infinitives is crucial for mastering English grammar. This comprehensive guide will explore what infinitives are, how to identify them in sentences, and provide numerous examples to solidify your understanding. We'll delve into the structure of infinitive phrases and explore their various functions within a sentence. By the end, you’ll be able to confidently spot an infinitive phrase wherever it appears.

What is an Infinitive?

An infinitive is the base form of a verb, preceded by the word "to." Think of it as the most basic form of a verb, before it's conjugated to indicate tense, person, or number. For example, the infinitive of the verb "run" is "to run," of "eat" is "to eat," and of "be" is "to be." It's important to note that while the word "to" is often associated with infinitives, it’s not always present. This occurs when the infinitive is used in a specific grammatical structure which we'll explore later.

Identifying Infinitives in Sentences: A Step-by-Step Guide

The key to identifying an infinitive is to look for the "to" followed by the base form of a verb. However, it's not always that simple. Sometimes, words or phrases intervene between "to" and the verb, forming an infinitive phrase. Let's break down the process:

1. Locate the word "to": Begin by scanning the sentence for the word "to." This is your starting point for identifying a potential infinitive.

2. Check for the base verb: After the "to," look for a verb in its base form (the dictionary form, without any -ing, -ed, or -s endings). If you find a base verb following "to," you've likely found an infinitive.

3. Examine the context: The infinitive might be part of a larger phrase, called an infinitive phrase. This phrase can include objects, adverbs, or other modifiers related to the verb.

4. Consider exceptions: Remember that certain verbs can omit the "to" before the infinitive. We'll cover these exceptions in detail below.

Examples of Sentences Containing Infinitives:

Let's analyze several sentences to demonstrate how to identify infinitives and infinitive phrases:

• "She wants to travel the world." Here, "to travel" is the infinitive, and "to travel the world" is the infinitive phrase. "To travel" is the base form of the verb "travel," preceded by "to." "The world" is the object of the infinitive.

• "He decided to study harder for the exam." "To study" is the infinitive, and "to study harder for the exam" is the infinitive phrase. "Harder" is an adverb modifying the verb "study," and "for the exam" is a prepositional phrase indicating purpose.

• "My goal is to become a doctor." "To become" is the infinitive, and "to become a doctor" is the infinitive phrase. "A doctor" is the complement of the infinitive.

• "I need to finish this project by Friday." "To finish" is the infinitive, and "to finish this project by Friday" is the infinitive phrase. "This project" is the object, and "by Friday" is a prepositional phrase indicating time.

• "They helped him to understand the concept." Here, "to understand" is the infinitive, and "to understand the concept" is the infinitive phrase. Note that "to" is explicitly present.

Infinitives Without "to": Bare Infinitives

As mentioned earlier, sometimes the word "to" is omitted before the infinitive. This usually happens after certain verbs, known as modal verbs and verbs of perception.

• Modal Verbs: Modal verbs like can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must are always followed by a bare infinitive (infinitive without "to"). For example:

  • "I can swim." (Swim is a bare infinitive)
  • "She should study harder." (Study is a bare infinitive)

• Verbs of Perception: Verbs of perception, such as see, hear, feel, watch, notice, observe often use bare infinitives. For example:

  • "I saw him leave the building." (Leave is a bare infinitive)
  • "We heard her sing beautifully." (Sing is a bare infinitive)

• Helping Verbs: Helping verbs (auxiliary verbs) such as do, does, did can also precede a bare infinitive in certain negative or emphatic constructions. For example:

  • "I did not go to the party." (Go is a bare infinitive)
  • "He does run fast." (Run is a bare infinitive)

Functions of Infinitives and Infinitive Phrases

Infinitives and infinitive phrases play various roles within a sentence. They can function as:

• Nouns: Infinitives can act as subjects, objects, or complements.

  • Subject: "To err is human." ("To err" is the subject of the verb "is")
  • Object: "I want to eat ice cream." ("To eat ice cream" is the object of the verb "want")
  • Complement: "My goal is to succeed." ("To succeed" is the complement of the verb "is")

• Adjectives: Infinitives can modify nouns or pronouns.

  • "I have a lot of work to do." ("to do" modifies "work")

• Adverbs: Infinitives can modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

  • "She studied hard to pass the exam." ("to pass the exam" modifies the verb "studied")

Complex Infinitive Constructions

Infinitives can also be part of more complex structures:

• Perfect Infinitives: These express an action completed before the main verb. They use "to have" + past participle. For example: "I seem to have forgotten my keys."

• Progressive Infinitives: These express an action in progress at the time of the main verb. They use "to be" + present participle. For example: "She appears to be sleeping."

• Passive Infinitives: These express an action performed on the subject. They use "to be" + past participle. For example: "The report needs to be finished by tomorrow."

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

A common mistake is confusing infinitives with gerunds (verbs ending in "-ing" that function as nouns). While both can act as nouns, they have distinct grammatical functions. For example:

• Infinitive as noun: "To travel is my dream."
• Gerund as noun: "Traveling is my dream."

Another common mistake is misusing infinitives with verbs that require gerunds or vice versa. Some verbs are always followed by gerunds, and others always take infinitives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: Can an infinitive phrase contain another infinitive? A: Yes, absolutely. Infinitive phrases can be nested within other infinitive phrases, creating complex sentence structures.

• Q: How can I improve my ability to identify infinitives? A: Practice is key! Read widely, and actively try to identify infinitives in the sentences you encounter. Use grammar workbooks and online exercises to reinforce your learning.

• Q: What is the difference between a split infinitive and a non-split infinitive? A: A split infinitive occurs when an adverb is placed between "to" and the base verb (e.g., "to boldly go"). While traditionally considered grammatically incorrect by some, it's widely accepted in modern English usage.

Conclusion:

Mastering the identification of infinitives is a cornerstone of strong English grammar. Through understanding their structure, function, and exceptions, you can confidently navigate complex sentence structures and improve your writing and comprehension skills. Remember to practice regularly and don't be afraid to consult grammar resources to reinforce your knowledge. With consistent effort, you’ll become proficient in recognizing and understanding the versatile role of infinitives in English.