InfinitivesInfinitives

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InfinitivesInfinitives

Infinitives are “to + a verb”:Infinitives are “to + a verb”:– To singTo sing– To goTo go– To danceTo dance– To workTo work– To playTo playInfinitives are easily recognized Infinitives are easily recognized because of the preposition “to” + because of the preposition “to” + the verb.the verb.

InfinitivesInfinitivesThere are certain verbs that cause the “to” in the infinitive to disappear:– Let watch– See help– Make dare– Hear feel

– I saw him fall down the stairs.

– He heard his sister scream.

– Let me drive the car into the garage.

InfinitivesInfinitives

– The prepositionThe preposition exceptexcept causes the “to” in causes the “to” in the infinitive to disappear also:the infinitive to disappear also:

The child did nothingThe child did nothing exceptexcept lie in the crib.lie in the crib.

Infinitives

Infinitives are similar to gerunds and participles in that they can have direct objects, indirect objects, and prepositional phrases.

Infinitives are different from gerunds and participles because they can have subjects.

Infinitives

To isolate the infinitive phrase, begin with the infinitive first.

He wants to spend this summer in Europe.

She watched the child fly his kite.

She saw him crawl through the mud.

Infinitives with Direct ObjectsInfinitives with Direct Objects

Determine whether or not the infinitive phrase Determine whether or not the infinitive phrase has a direct object by asking the questionhas a direct object by asking the questionSubject + verb + whom/what? = direct objectSubject + verb + whom/what? = direct object

He wanted to watch the dog in the yard.He wanted to watch the dog in the yard.The coach taught him to hit a curve The coach taught him to hit a curve ball.ball.The student had to write a report about The student had to write a report about the famous detective.the famous detective.

Infinitives with Indirect ObjectsInfinitives with Indirect Objects

Infinitive + direct object + to/for whom/what = indirect object

He refused to give Bill the money.– To give what? = money Direct Object

Infinitives with Prepositional Infinitives with Prepositional PhrasesPhrases

Infinitive phrases can have direct object, indirect objects and prepositional phrases.

The prepositional phrase will function as an adverb or an adjective.

Infinitives with Prepositional Phrases

– He likes to watch the game on his big screen TV.

– The doctor told him to go to the hospital immediately.

Infinitives with Prepositional Infinitives with Prepositional PhrasesPhrases

He wants to buy the puppy in the He wants to buy the puppy in the pet shop window.pet shop window.

She wants to visit the museum in She wants to visit the museum in Williamsburg.Williamsburg.

SummarySummaryInfinitives can have– subjects– Direct objects– Indirect objects– Predicate nominatives– Prepositional phrases

This powerpoint presentation was designed only to show how to isolate an infinitive or infinitive phrase.

SummarySummaryInfinitives can be used with gerunds and Infinitives can be used with gerunds and participles and other infinitives:participles and other infinitives:

The doctor’s orders to stop smoking was The doctor’s orders to stop smoking was difficult to do.difficult to do.The father wanted to watch his son play The father wanted to watch his son play football.football.Wishing to avoid an argument Debra left the Wishing to avoid an argument Debra left the room.room.He wanted to pet the dog lying on the floor.He wanted to pet the dog lying on the floor.