Lesson 216 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals - Noun Infinitives

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An infinitive is a verbal that is to plus a verb form. It can be used as a noun. 

 

Examples: 

to be, to see, to be seen, to be eaten

The noun infinitive can be a subject, a direct object, a predicate nominative, an appositive, or an object of a preposition.

 

Examples:

To eat is fun. (subject)

I like to eat. (direct object)

A fun thing is to eat. (predicate nominative)

My hope, to travel, never happened. (appositive)

I want nothing but to save. (object of preposition)

Instructions: Find the noun infinitives in the following sentences and tell if they are used as a subject, a direct object, a predicate nominative, an appositive, or an object of a preposition.

1. To skate was his only desire.

2. I hope to enjoy retirement.

3. The team's desire is to win.

4. Most people want to marry.

5. Their terrible goal, to kill, failed.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. To skate was his only desire.

    - subject

2. I hope to enjoy retirement.

    - direct object

3. The team's desire is to win.

    - predicate nominative

4. Most people want to marry.

    - direct object

5. Their terrible goal, to kill, failed.

    - appositive

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