Infinitives

1. Infinitives

2. Infinitives • To sneeze, to smash, to cry, to shriek, to jump, to dunk, to read, to eat, to slurp—all of these are infinitives. An infinitive will almost always begin with to, followed by the simple form of the verb, like this: • to+verb= infinitive • Important Note: Because an infinitive is not a verb, you cannot add s, es, ed, or ing to the end. Ever!

3. Examples • To sleep is the only thing Eli wants after his double shift waiting tables at the neighborhood café. (To sleep – subject; noun) • Wherever Melissa goes, she always brings a book to read in case conversation lags or she has a long wait. (to read – adjective modifying book) • More examples on page 154

4. Warning • Don’t confuse an infinitive with a prepositional phrase that begins with to. Prepositional phrases always have objects that are nouns or pronouns. • Example: • I handed the vase to my mother.

5. Practice • Exercise 10, page 155

6. Infinitive Phrases • An infinitive phrase is made up of the infinitive (to + verb) and any modifiers the infinitive has. • The entire phrase may be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. • Examples, pp 155 -156

7. Practice • Exercise 11, p 156