Chapter 19: Infinitives

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Chapter 19 Infinitives

• Friday, Oct. 5, 2007

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How does an infinitive form look like?

• to simple form of verb
• to go
• to do
• to look
• to eat

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Forms of infinitive

• Positive to simple form
• I want to go.
• Negative not to simple form
• He decided not to go.

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Forms of infinitive

• Perfect to have participle
• He is lucky to have found his wallet.
• Passive to be participle
• She wants to be promoted.
• Perfect passive to have been participle
• He is proud to have been promoted.

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Functions of the infinitives

• Subject
• Subject complement
• Object of verb
• Following verb noun phrase
• Modifying an adjective
• Modifying a noun
• Expressing the purpose

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Infinitive as subject

• To tell the truth isnt always possible.
• It isnt always possible to tell the truth.
• Telling the truth isnt always possible.

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Infinitive as subject complement

• After linking verb (be, is, are, was, were)
• Her job is to increase sales.
• His hobby is to play golf.

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Infinitive as object

• You pretend to remember someone at a party.
• I plan to go to a football game tonight.
• She decides to go to a graduate school.
• She suggests going to a football game tonight.
• He remembers seeing her somewhere.
• Please remember to close the door before you
  leave.

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Infinitive after verb noun phrase

• My mom forced me to study.
• She believes her boss to be a genius.
• He persuaded us not to wait any longer.

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Infinitive to modify adjectives

• It is worthwhile to study English hard.
• It is easy for you to make spaghetti.
• Spaghetti is easy to make.

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Infinitive to modify nouns

• He is a person to trust.
• I need a pen to write with.
• Eating fast food can be a way to save time.

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Infinitive to express purpose

• Sometimes we tell a lie to prevent a large
  conflict.
  
• He came to (went to) the United States to receive
  higher education.
  

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Assignment

• Read Chapter 20 for Monday.
• Essay 2 is due the coming Wednesday.