Infinitive Phrases

Lesson 3 Infinitive Phrases

Essential Question

How can the most basic form of a verb join forces with other words to transform itself into a more vivid noun, adjective, or adverb?

Grammar in the World

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Image by Tuan Doan Links to an external site. from Pixabay Links to an external site.

What Do I Know?

What do you already know about infinitives? Use this interactive exercise to find out.

Building Blocks

Grammar is a complex system and structure of language. Mizzou Academy Grammar Lab spotlights one skill (or block) at a time, but it’s often helpful to see how a skill works together with other, related blocks to build the language structure as a whole. You may find the following resource topics helpful as context for this lesson:

Learn About Infinitive Phrases

Infinitives

An infinitive is a group of words that begin with “to” and ends with an action verb; together, they function as a noun, adjective, or adverb:

- to skate
- to judge
- to cheer

Full infinitives are made up of two parts: to + action verb = infinitive

Phrase

A phrase is a group of words that works together to give more information about a clause or sentence. Phrases do not contain a subject and verb, so they can’t stand on their own as a complete thought.

- in the park
- with careful thought
- for her favorite team

Infinitive Phrases

An infinitive phrase is an infinitive PLUS the complements and modifiers that apply to it.

An infinitive phrase is the infinitive and its accompanying complements and modifiers.

The word “to.”
The base infinitive, which is the simple, present tense form of a verb -- skate, judge, or cheer
Along with complements and modifiers.

- - to skate in the park
  - to judge with careful thought
  - to cheer for her favorite team

Infinitive Phrases in Sentences

Infinitive phrases can function as nouns that can work as the subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Remember:

Subjects perform the action in a sentence.
Objects receive the action.
Complements come after a linking verb to identify the subject.

Click on each of the three tabs below to learn more about each topic.

Infinitive Phrases as Nouns in Sentences

Infinitive Phrases as Nouns in Sentences
Subject Infinitive	Infinitive	Infinitive Phrase
To vacation in Vietnam from the United States requires flying.	To vacation	To vacation in Vietnam
To visit Hạ Long Bay requires a boat!	To visit	To visit Hạ Long Bay
Object Infinitive	Infinitive	Infinitive Phrase
I hope to see Vietnam someday.	to see	to see Vietnam someday
I can’t wait to visit Hạ Long Bay.	to visit	to visit Hạ Long Bay
Complement Infinitive	Infinitive	Infinitive Phrase
My biggest hope is to visit this beautiful country someday.	to visit	to visit this beautiful country someday
My goal will be to eat as much pho as I can!	to eat	to eat as much pho as I can

Infinitive Phrases as Adjectives in Sentences

Infinitive phrases can also function as adjectives in a sentence, modifying a noun or pronoun.

Infinitive Phrases as Adjectives in Sentences
Adjective Infinitive	Infinitive	Infinitive Phrase	Which One or What Kind?
Let me show you the way to ride a motor scooter.	to ride	to ride a motor scooter	“to ride” describes the noun “way”
I want one to help me move quickly around the city.	to help	to help me move quickly around the city	“to help” describes the pronoun “one” and tells which one

Infinitive Phrases as Adverbs in Sentences

Infinitive phrases can also function as adverbs in a sentence, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

Infinitive Phrases as Adverbs in Sentences
Adverb Infinitive	Infinitive	Infinitive Phrase	Why or How
My friend was kind to help me use my chopsticks correctly.	to help	to help me use my chopsticks correctly	“to help” describes the adjective “kind”
I practiced to avoid dropping any of my delicious food.	to avoid	to avoid dropping any of my delicious food	“to avoid” describes the verb “practiced”

Split Infinitive: Do or Don't?

A split infinitive is when a word or phrase comes between the “to” and the “verb” in the sentence. Perhaps the most famous split infinitive you have seen is from Star Trek:

To boldly go where no man has gone before.

You may have heard the rule “avoid split infinitives.” However, splitting infinitives is not a grammar crime. In fact, sometimes splitting infinitives is the best way to convey meaning in a sentence.

Many times, you can word a sentence so that the infinitive is split or not.

Cohesive Infinitive	Split Infinitive
When using chopsticks, the goal is smoothly to get the food into your mouth.	When using chopsticks, the goal is to smoothly get the food into your mouth.
Prepare to enjoy thoroughly the wide variety of delicious foods.	Prepare to thoroughly enjoy the wide variety of delicious foods.
Make sure you visit One Pillar Pagoda, designed beautifully to resemble a lotus flower.	Make sure you visit One Pillar Pagoda, designed to beautifully resemble a lotus flower.
You may also want to see Hoan Kiem Lake where locals go to practice peacefully their Tai Chi routines.	You may also want to see Hoan Kiem Lake where locals go to peacefully practice their Tai Chi routines.
As you can see, it is okay actually to split a full infinitive.	As you can see, it is okay to actually split a full infinitive.

Here are some general tips to help you when editing to correct infinitive phrases.

Write your sentence as it comes out the first time.
Pause if you think the wording sounds choppy or odd.
If there is a smooth way to avoid a split infinitive, try that first.
If the split infinitive makes the most sense and sounds best in your sentence, that’s okay.
Remember, sometimes the split infinitive is the best option.

Do I Get It?

What have you learned about infinitives? Check your understanding in the following short quiz.