An infinitive phrase is a type of phrase in English grammar that includes an infinitive verb form, which is the base form of a verb that is not conjugated for tense or number. In this reference, we will explore the different types of infinitive phrases, how to identify them in a sentence, and common mistakes to avoid.

What is an Infinitive Phrase?

An infinitive phrase includes an infinitive verb form, such as "to run," "to jump," or "to dance," followed by any modifiers or objects that are associated with it. Infinitive phrases can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence, depending on their position and purpose.

For example, in the sentence "To eat sushi is my favorite thing to do," the infinitive phrase "to eat sushi" functions as the subject of the sentence, acting as a noun. In the sentence "I have a magazine to read," the infinitive phrase "to read" functions as an adjective, modifying the noun "magazine." In the sentence "He went to the store to buy groceries," the infinitive phrase "to buy groceries" functions as an adverb, modifying the verb "went."

Types of Infinitive Phrases

Infinitive phrases can be classified into three categories based on their function in a sentence: adjective, adverbial, and noun.

Adjective Infinitive Phrases

An adjective infinitive phrase modifies a noun or pronoun in a sentence, providing additional information about it. For example, in the sentence "I need a pen to write a letter," the infinitive phrase "to write a letter" functions as an adjective, modifying the noun "pen." The sentence could be rewritten as "I need a pen that I can write a letter with" without changing its meaning.

Adverbial Infinitive Phrases

An adverbial infinitive phrase modifies a verb in a sentence, providing additional information about the action being performed. For example, in the sentence "He woke up early to go for a run," the infinitive phrase "to go for a run" functions as an adverb, modifying the verb "woke up." The sentence could be rewritten as "He woke up early in order to go for a run" without changing its meaning.

Noun Infinitive Phrases

A noun infinitive phrase functions as a noun in a sentence, typically as the subject, object, or complement. For example, in the sentence "To travel the world is my dream," the infinitive phrase "to travel the world" functions as the subject of the sentence. In the sentence "I want to learn how to play the guitar," the infinitive phrase "to learn how to play the guitar" functions as the direct object of the verb "want."

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How to Identify Infinitive Phrases in a Sentence

To identify an infinitive phrase in a sentence, look for the word "to" followed by the base form of a verb. The infinitive phrase may also include modifiers or objects that are associated with it. Infinitive phrases can be nouns, adjectives, or adverbs, so pay attention to their position and purpose in the sentence.

For example, in the sentence "She went to the store to buy milk," the infinitive phrase "to buy milk" functions as an adverb, modifying the verb "went." In the sentence "I need a book to read," the infinitive phrase "to read" functions as an adjective, modifying the noun "book." In the sentence "To swim in the ocean is my favorite activity," the infinitive phrase "to swim in the ocean" functions as the subject of the sentence, acting as a noun.

Examples of Infinitive Phrases

Here are some examples of infinitive phrases in sentences:

• To dance in the rain is a romantic idea. (noun infinitive phrase)
• I need a pen to write a letter. (adjective infinitive phrase)
• She went to the market to buy milk. (adverbial infinitive phrase)
• To climb Mount Everest is a dream of many adventurers. (noun infinitive phrase)
• He wants to learn how to play the guitar. (adjective infinitive phrase)
• To run a marathon requires months of training. (noun infinitive phrase)
• I got up early to catch the sunrise. (adverbial infinitive phrase)

Infinitive Phrases vs. Gerunds

Infinitive phrases are often confused with gerunds, which are verb forms that end in "-ing" and function as nouns in a sentence. The main difference between an infinitive phrase and a gerund is that an infinitive phrase always begins with the word "to," while a gerund does not.

For example, in the sentence "I love swimming in the ocean," the gerund "swimming" functions as a noun, while in the sentence "To swim in the ocean is my favorite activity," the infinitive phrase "to swim in the ocean" functions as a noun.

Here are some tips to identify the two:

1. Pay attention to the position and purpose of the phrase to determine whether it functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb in the sentence.
2. Remember that a gerund does not begin with the word "to," while an infinitive phrase always does.

Summary

Infinitive phrases are an important part of English grammar, providing additional information about the subject, object, or verb in a sentence. They can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs, depending on their position and purpose in the sentence. To identify an infinitive phrase, look for the word "to" followed by the base form of a verb. With time, you'll easily learn to use these kinds of phrases without a second thought!