English Grammar: Infinitives
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of an infinitive in a sentence?

  • To express a specific tense or mood
  • To function as a noun, adjective, or adverb (correct)
  • To indicate the tone of a sentence
  • To modify a verb or adjective
  • How is an infinitive formed?

  • By combining 'to' with the base form of a verb (correct)
  • By combining 'to' with the future tense of a verb
  • By combining 'to' with the present participle of a verb
  • By combining 'to' with the past tense of a verb
  • What is the function of an infinitive in the sentence 'He worked hard to get promoted.'?

  • It expresses a consequence
  • It expresses a condition
  • It expresses a description
  • It expresses a purpose (correct)
  • What type of infinitive is expressed in the phrase 'to have written'?

    <p>Perfect infinitive</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of an infinitive in the sentence 'She is a person to trust.'?

    <p>It provides a description</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the infinitive phrase 'to buy milk' in the sentence 'I went to the store to buy milk.'?

    <p>To express a purpose</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of infinitive phrase is 'too tired to walk'?

    <p>Too + infinitive</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a perfect continuous infinitive?

    <p>To express ongoing action that started in the past</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Infinitives

    Definition An infinitive is a verb form that functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence.

    Formation

    • Formed by combining "to" with the base form of a verb (e.g., to run, to eat, to write)
    • Can be active or passive (e.g., to be eaten, to be written)

    Functions

    • Noun: Subject, complement, or object of a sentence (e.g., To err is human.)
    • Adjective: Modifying a noun or pronoun (e.g., the man to save the day)
    • Adverb: Modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb (e.g., He came to help.)

    Types

    • Perfect infinitive: Expresses completed action (e.g., to have written)
    • Continuous infinitive: Expresses ongoing action (e.g., to be writing)
    • Perfect continuous infinitive: Expresses ongoing action that started in the past (e.g., to have been writing)

    Uses

    • Purpose: Expresses the purpose of an action (e.g., I went to the store to buy milk.)
    • Result: Expresses the result of an action (e.g., He worked hard to get promoted.)
    • Description: Provides more information about a person or thing (e.g., She is a person to trust.)

    Common Infinitive Phrases

    • Too + infinitive: Expresses excessiveness (e.g., He was too tired to walk.)
    • Enough + infinitive: Expresses sufficiency (e.g., She was old enough to vote.)
    • So + adjective + infinitive: Expresses a consequence (e.g., He was so tired that he went to bed.)

    Infinitives

    Definition and Formation

    • An infinitive is a verb form that functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence.
    • Formed by combining "to" with the base form of a verb (e.g., to run, to eat, to write).
    • Can be active or passive (e.g., to be eaten, to be written).

    Functions

    Noun

    • Can be a subject, complement, or object of a sentence (e.g., To err is human).

    Adjective

    • Modifies a noun or pronoun (e.g., the man to save the day).

    Adverb

    • Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb (e.g., He came to help).

    Types

    Perfect Infinitive

    • Expresses completed action (e.g., to have written).

    Continuous Infinitive

    • Expresses ongoing action (e.g., to be writing).

    Perfect Continuous Infinitive

    • Expresses ongoing action that started in the past (e.g., to have been writing).

    Uses

    Purpose

    • Expresses the purpose of an action (e.g., I went to the store to buy milk).

    Result

    • Expresses the result of an action (e.g., He worked hard to get promoted).

    Description

    • Provides more information about a person or thing (e.g., She is a person to trust).

    Common Infinitive Phrases

    Too + Infinitive

    • Expresses excessiveness (e.g., He was too tired to walk).

    Enough + Infinitive

    • Expresses sufficiency (e.g., She was old enough to vote).

    So + Adjective + Infinitive

    • Expresses a consequence (e.g., He was so tired that he went to bed).

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    Quiz Team

    Description

    Understand the definition, formation, and functions of infinitives in English grammar. Learn how to identify and use infinitives as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs in sentences.

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