The Final “Off Duty” Verb . . .

An infinitive is a verbal, usually preceded by to, that can be

used as a noun, adjective, or adverb

In other words….

Infinitives as Nouns

Infinitives are verbs that can be used as nouns

• Example: To smile is to be happy.

**to smile is an infinitive because it acts as the subject of the sentence**

Infinitives as Adjectives

Infinitives are verbs that can be used as adjectives

• That is the book to read.

**to read is an infinitive because it uses a verb to modify or describe the object of the sentence . . . (book)**

Infinitives as adverbs

Infinitives are verbs that can be used as adverbs

• He ran to win.

**to win is an infinitive because it modifies or describes a verb**

Here are some more examples(You’re welcome!)

• To wait seemed foolish when decisive action was required. (subject)

• Everyone wanted to go. (direct object)

• His ambition is to fly. (subject complement)

• He lacked the strength to resist. (adjective)

• We must study to learn. (adverb)

Infinitives vs. Prepositional Phrases

• Be sure not to confuse infinitives and prepositional phrases beginning with to.

I love to swim in the summer! (infinitive: swim is a verb)

This summer we’re going to the mountains. (preposistional phrase: mountains is a noun)

• Split Infinitives: Any time a word is placed in between the “to” and the verb of an infinitive.

Ex: “To boldly go where no one has gone before.” - Star Trek

Captain James Tiberius Kirk

1. Susan's plan is to escape.

2. My little brother has learned to walk.

3. The way to survive boring lectures is a sharp pencil to stab in your thigh if you catch yourself drifting off.

4. That is the one to use.

5. To fail can be the beginning of success.

Label your paper 1- 5 and write the infinitive of each sentence. Then, write if it is acting as a noun, an adverb, or an adjective.

Practice with Verbals

Penguins Waddle.

Participle (adj):

Gerund (noun):

Infinitive (N, Adj, Adv):

Practice with Verbals

Pizza sizzles.

Participle (adj):

Gerund (noun):

Infinitive (N, Adj, Adv):

Practice with Verbals

Brittney sings.

Participle (adj):

Gerund (noun):

Infinitive (N, Adj, Adv):

Practice with Verbals

Bella cries.

Participle (adj):

Gerund (noun):

Infinitive (N, Adj, Adv):

Ready for your quiz? Sure you are!• For the following sentences, identify the verbal

and whether it is a gerund (G), participle (P), or an infinitive (I).

1. Wading through the ice, the penguins gathered near the fish.

2. Walking is enjoyable in this nice weather! 3. Her decision to choose which dress was

difficult. 4. The house, engulfed with smoke, was on fire. 5. The boy received detention for running down

the hall.

See it in use• Do you remember one of the first short

stories that we read this school year… “The Most Dangerous Game”. Take out your literature books and open to pages 54-74.

• Look at the following pages and find as many examples of participles, infinitives and gerunds as you can. Each group should have a recorder. All group members must agree on every example. Groups will present and turn in their answers at the end of the class.– Pages 57, 59, 62

Test

• You will take a brief quiz/test on Friday July 2. Be prepared to write your own examples.