Lesson 224 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals - Adjective Infinitives

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

 

Examples: 

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

An infinitive phrase is made up of an infinitive and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers) like the gerund. An infinitive phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Instructions: Find the infinitives and infinitive phrases in these sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. Your idea to spend the day together sounds great.

2. Joe is the man to see about the job.

3. We have no reason to doubt your sincerity.

4. This must be the best route to take.

5. Your attitude is the best attitude to have.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Your idea to spend the day together sounds great.

    - to spend the day together modifies idea

2. Joe is the man to see about the job.

    - to see about the job modifies man

3. We have no reason to doubt your sincerity.

    - to doubt your sincerity modifies reason

4. This must be the best route to take.

    - to take modifies route

5. Your attitude is the best attitude to have.

    - to have modifies attitude

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