Lesson 235 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals - Adverb Infinitives

An infinitive is to plus a verb form. It can be used as an adverb. Examples: to be, to see, to be seen, to be eaten.

Adverb infinitives are used to modify verbs. They usually tell why. Adverb infinitives are used to modify predicate adjectives. They may also be compound.

An infinitive phrase is made up of an infinitive and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers.) 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 or infinitive phrases in these sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. The inspector came to check the dam for leaks.

2. Fred finally went to work.

3. Paul arrived in New York to study physics and to learn more.

4. Are you old enough to drive?

5. The new soldiers were ready to listen and obey.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. to check the dam for leaks modifies the verb came

2. to work modifies the verb went

3. to study physics/to learn more modify the verb arrived

4. to drive modifies the predicate adjective old

5. to listen/(to) obey modify the predicate adjective ready

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