Which Of The Following Sentences Contains An Infinitive

Which of the Following Sentences Contains an Infinitive? A Deep Dive into Verbals

Understanding verbals—words formed from verbs but functioning as other parts of speech—is crucial for mastering English grammar. Among the most common verbals are infinitives, participles, and gerunds. This article focuses specifically on identifying infinitives and differentiating them from other verbals. We'll explore various sentence structures and delve into the nuanced use of infinitives to enhance your grammatical understanding.

What is an Infinitive?

An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to." For example, "to run," "to sing," "to eat" are all infinitives. Think of it as the verb in its purest, most unconjugated form. Importantly, while it's derived from a verb, an infinitive itself doesn't act as a verb in a sentence. Instead, it acts as a noun, adjective, or adverb, depending on its function within the sentence.

Key Characteristics of Infinitives:

• "To" + Base Verb: The most common way to identify an infinitive is by the presence of "to" followed by the unconjugated verb. However, there are exceptions (more on this later).
• Verbal Function: Although derived from a verb, an infinitive does not conjugate (meaning it doesn't change its form to show tense or person). It acts as another part of speech within the sentence's structure.
• Versatile Role: Infinitives can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs, adding depth and complexity to sentence construction.

Identifying Infinitives in Sentences: Examples and Explanations

Let's analyze various sentences to illustrate how to pinpoint infinitives within different grammatical contexts. We will be using examples with and without the "to" to showcase the flexibility and sometimes confusing nature of infinitives.

Example 1: The Infinitive as a Noun

• Sentence: To err is human.

• Analysis: In this sentence, "to err" acts as the subject of the verb "is." It's performing the role of a noun, naming the action.

Example 2: The Infinitive as a Noun (Object of a Verb)

• Sentence: I want to travel the world.

• Analysis: Here, "to travel" is the direct object of the verb "want." It receives the action of wanting.

Example 3: The Infinitive as an Adjective

• Sentence: She has a desire to succeed.

• Analysis: The infinitive "to succeed" modifies the noun "desire," describing its nature. It acts adjectivally, telling us what kind of desire it is.

Example 4: The Infinitive as an Adverb (modifying a verb)

• Sentence: He worked hard to achieve his goals.

• Analysis: The infinitive phrase "to achieve his goals" modifies the verb "worked," explaining the purpose or reason for the action. It functions as an adverbial phrase.

Example 5: Infinitives without "to" (Bare Infinitives)

• Sentence: Let him go.

• Analysis: In this case, "go" is an infinitive, but the particle "to" is omitted. This often occurs after certain verbs (like "let," "make," "help," "see") and modal verbs (like "can," "should," "must"). These are known as bare infinitives. The absence of "to" does not change the infinitive's function.

Example 6: Infinitive Phrases

Often, infinitives are not alone; they are part of infinitive phrases, which include the infinitive and any modifiers (adjectives or adverbs) that go with it.

• Sentence: I planned to carefully study for the exam.

• Analysis: "to carefully study for the exam" is an infinitive phrase. "To study" is the infinitive, "carefully" is an adverb modifying the infinitive, and "for the exam" is a prepositional phrase further modifying the infinitive phrase.

Differentiating Infinitives from Other Verbals: Participles and Gerunds

It's essential to distinguish infinitives from other verbals, namely participles and gerunds.

Participles: These are verb forms that act as adjectives. They often end in "-ing" (present participle) or "-ed," "-en," or "-t" (past participle).

• Example: The running water was refreshing. ("running" is a present participle modifying "water")

Gerunds: These are verb forms that act as nouns. They always end in "-ing."

• Example: Swimming is my favorite exercise. ("Swimming" is a gerund acting as the subject of the sentence)

Key Differences Summarized:

Common Mistakes in Identifying Infinitives

Even experienced English speakers can sometimes struggle with identifying infinitives. Here are some common pitfalls:

• Misidentifying "-ing" words: Remember, not all "-ing" words are infinitives. They could be gerunds or present participles. Focus on the function within the sentence.

• Overlooking bare infinitives: Don't forget that infinitives can appear without "to," particularly after certain verbs.

• Confusing infinitives with other phrases: An infinitive phrase can be lengthy and easily confused with other grammatical structures. Break down the sentence into its constituent parts to better identify the infinitive.

Advanced Applications of Infinitives

Infinitives are not just for basic sentence construction; they play a significant role in sophisticated writing:

• Expressing purpose: Infinitives often express the purpose or reason for an action (as seen in Example 4).

• Creating emphasis: Using an infinitive can add emphasis to a particular action or idea.

• Adding descriptive detail: Infinitive phrases can provide richly descriptive detail, painting a more vivid picture for the reader.

Practice Exercises to Master Infinitive Identification

To solidify your understanding, let's work through some practice exercises:

Exercise 1: Identify the infinitives in the following sentences:

1. To succeed requires dedication.
2. He wants to buy a new car.
3. She needs to study harder.
4. Let them play.
5. My goal is to finish the project by Friday.
6. I decided to take a vacation.
7. To truly understand requires listening.
8. He hoped to find a solution.
9. We strive to improve.
10. She tried to open the door.

Exercise 2: Determine the function (noun, adjective, or adverb) of the infinitive in each sentence from Exercise 1.

By diligently practicing and analyzing examples, you will significantly enhance your understanding of infinitives and their role in constructing clear, concise, and grammatically sound sentences. Mastering infinitives is a critical step in improving your overall English grammar skills. Understanding their function will enable you to write more effectively and confidently.