Midterm: Week 3

1. Topic: Infinitives

General Description:

 An infinitive is made by adding to + the base form of the verb

Example: The traffic enforcer needs to talk to the driver

 Infinitives in a sentence can be:

1. the subject –
To drive around Manila helps us learn more about our culture.
2. as the object following a verb –
She wanted + to tell you how much she loves you.
3. short for the words “in order to” –
You must run fast to win the race  [(in order) to win the race]. 

Remember: An infinitive cannot function as a main verb - because the “to” form does not have
a subject - you need something like “I” or “you” or “he/she/it” or a noun of some
kind as a proper SUBJECT to ‘start the sentence off’.

Comprehension Check:

Tell me the infinitive forms of these verbs:

leave – to leave explore – to explore assist – to assist

imagine – to imagine park – to park

Exercise 1: Incomplete Sentences

Choose the word or phrase that would best complete the following sentences. 

1. You are required to pay a deposit before you rent the truck.

a. to pay b. to be paid c. to be paying d. to payment

2. Please tell us the person to call in case of an emergency.

a. to call b. to caller c. to be called d. to be calling

3. To drive this new car, you should show us your license.

a. To dive b. To dove c. To drove d. To drive

 
 2. Topic: Infinitive Phrases

General Description:

 The infinitive form of a verb can be used as a noun, an adjective or an adverb.

 An infinitive phrase is made up by using
to + the base form of the verb + other extra words tacked on to the end.

Examples:

 As a noun
a. To ensure they learn good English is the responsibility of the teacher.
[here ‘to-ensure-they-learn-English’ forms one ‘giant’ noun]
 As an Adjective
a. Sir Barrie’s decision to have a quiz tomorrow upset the students.
[‘to-have-a-quiz-tomorrow’ forms a ‘giant’ adjective to describe Sir Barrie’s
decision]
 As an Adverb
a. Sir Barrie ran fast to catch the Jeepney.
[‘to-catch-the-Jeepney’ forms a giant adverb to explain why Sir Barrie was ‘doing
the action’ [verb = action word] of running fast]

Comprehension Check:

Fill in the blank with an infinitive phrase and tell me how it’s being used in the sentence [noun,
adjective or adverb].
The owner of SPCBA decided to clean the CRs. [clean the CRs]

Exercise 1: Incomplete Sentences

Choose the word or phrase that would best complete the following sentences.

1. To be the best car company in the world is the ambition of Rolls Royce.

a. To being b. To was c. To have d. To be

2. The captain of the ship throws a party to welcome the guests.

a. to welcome the guests c. to welcomed the guests

b. to welcomes the guests d. to welcoming the guests

3. The aircraft was inspected to avoid technical problems.

a. to avoid technical problems c. to avoided technical problems

b. to avoids technical problems d. to avoiding technical problem

 3. Topic: Verb as Gerund or Infinitive

General Description:

 Both gerunds and infinitives can serve as a noun in a sentence. Their grammatical
place in the sentence could be –
a. subject of the sentence
b. direct object in the sentence

Remember:

 Infinitive: to + base form of the verb

To book, to give, to check
 Gerund: base form of the verb + “-ing”
Booking, giving, checking

Examples:

1. Subject of the sentence

a. Gerund – Booking your ticket is the first step if you want to take a trip.
b. Infinitive – To book your ticket is the first step if you want to take a trip.
2. Direct object
a. Gerund – I like travelling by plane because it is relaxing.
b. Infinitive – I like to travel by plane because it is relaxing.

Comprehension Check:

 Tell me whether the following phrases are gerunds or infinitives.

1. to check the luggage infinitive

2. boarding the airplane gerunds
3. to fasten the seatbelt infinitive
4. to call the flight attendant infinitive
5. watching TV at home gerunds

NOTE  -  British say aircraft or aeroplane.  American is ‘airplane’

Exercise 1: Incomplete Sentences

1. I prefer to travel by plane rather than to travel by boat.

a. travel b. to travel c. into travel d. to travelling
2. One of the most annoying tasks when travelling is to book the ticker.
a. book the ticket b. booked the ticket c. to booking the ticket d. to book the ticket
3. To attend to the needs of the passengers is the job of the flight attendant.
a. Attend b. Attends c. To attending d. To attend