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Infinitives
An infinitive is a phrase, consisting of the word to and the basic form of a verb,
that functions as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. Here’s a discussion of the five
types of infinitives.

1. Subject
An infinitive can constitute the subject of a sentence. For example, in “To
go, even after all that trouble, didn’t seem worthwhile anymore,” “to go” is
the action that drives the sentence.
2. Direct Object
In the sentence “We all want to see,” “to see” is the direct object, the noun
(or noun substitute) that receives the action of the verb. “To see” refers to
a thing being done — or, in this case, desired to be done: the act of seeing.
3. Subject Complement
In “My goal is to write,” “to write” is the subject complement. A subject
complement looks just like a direct object, but the difference is in the type
of verb preceding it. The verb in the previous example, want, is a transitive
verb. (Transitive verbs have two defining characteristics: They precede a
direct object, and they express an action.)
In “My goal is to write,” the verb is a copular, or linking, verb — one that
links a subject to a word or phrase that complements it. (In this sentence,
“to write” is the goal, so it’s the complement of goal. Note that in the
previous example, “to see” is what those referred to as we want, but it’s
not the complement of we.)
4. Adjective
In “She didn’t have permission to go,” “to go” modifies permission — it
describes what type of permission is being discussed — so the phrase
serves as an adjective.
 5. Adverb
In “He took the psychology class to try to understand human behavior,” “to
understand (human behavior)” explains why the taking of the class
occurred, so it’s an adverb modifying the verb took.

Identify the infinitives in each sentence and tell whether it is being used as a
noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

1. The best way to travel is by car. Adjective

2. If it isn't too much trouble, I'd like to go with you. Adverb
3. To travel to all 50 states is one of my goals. noun
4. It is starting to rain. Adverb
5. The new assignment is to make a video. noun
6. It is easy to make mistakes! noun
7. The reason I got to go was because I won an award. Adverb
8. The bus we'll take be the next one to arrive. Adjective
9. Lorrie wants to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Adverb
10.They probably want to watch Spongebob right now. Noun
11.Their favorite thing to do is give speeches. Adjective
12.To write is a basic skill that everyone needs in some capacity. Noun
13.I am excited to begin the Shakespeare Residency next month. Adverb
14.One of the best characters to play is Romeo because he stabs a dude. Adjective
15.Get pumped to deliver this speech! Adverb
16.Mayuri stood to teach me Renegade. I was pretty bad. Adverb
17.The topic to avoid is the Corona Virus. Adjective
18. The best idea to research is one about which you genuinely care. Adjective
 Infinitive Phrase

An infinitive phrase is the infinitive form of a verb plus any complements and modifiers.

Parts of Infinitive Phrases

Infinitive phrases begin with an infinitive, and sometimes include modifiers and/or objects
that make the phrase more descriptive.

a. Infinitives

The main, most essential part of an infinitive phrase is an infinitive; the word “to” plus the
base form of a verb.

 To study (to + study)

 To play (to + play)

b. Objects

An object is the word (a noun or a pronoun) affected by the verb in a sentence. So, in an
infinitive phrase, it’s the word being affected by the infinitive.

c. To study math
d. To play guitar

e. Modifiers

A modifier is an adjective or adverb that alters other words in a sentence, making it more
descriptive.

 To study advanced math 

 To eat a giant sandwich
 Infinitive Phrase

An infinitive phrase is the infinitive form of a verb plus any complements and modifiers.

Exercise:
1. What is the infinitive phrase in the following sentence?
To give to others is so important
a) to give to others b) to others c) is so important
2. What is the infinitive phrase in the following sentence?
My entire life I have always wanted to be a teacher.
a) My entire life b) to be a teacher c) I have
3. What is the infinitive phrase in the following sentence?
Eating a balanced diet allows a person to keep healthy.
a) Eating a balanced diet b) to keep c) to keep healthy
4. What is the infinitive phrase in the following sentence?
The way to please your parents is by obeying at all times.
a) The way b) to please c) to please your parents
5. What is the infinitive phrase in the following sentence?
After Bobby fell to the ground, he needed to go to the hospital.
a) To the ground b) to go c) to go to the hospital
6. What is the infinitive phrase in the following sentence?
To smile at others brings joy to yourself.
a) To smile b) to smile at others c) to yourself
7. Which of the following is not an infinitive?
a) to visualize b) to understand c) to wonder d) to Austin
8. Add an infinitive phrase to the following sentence:
April bought eighty lottery tickets __________________.
a) with the hopes of winning.
b) at the local convenience store.
c) and gave them to her grandmother.
d) to increase her chances of winning.