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To Infinitive Phrase - Exercise

The document describes the form and functions of infinitive phrases in English. It notes that infinitives can be preceded by "to" or stand alone, and that an infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive verb plus any accompanying objects or modifiers. It then lists eight common functions of infinitive phrases, including as the subject or object of a verb, as a subject or object complement, as an adjectival or nominal modifier, and in apposition. It provides examples for each function and asks the reader to identify and classify infinitive phrases in sample sentences.

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318 views3 pages

To Infinitive Phrase - Exercise

The document describes the form and functions of infinitive phrases in English. It notes that infinitives can be preceded by "to" or stand alone, and that an infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive verb plus any accompanying objects or modifiers. It then lists eight common functions of infinitive phrases, including as the subject or object of a verb, as a subject or object complement, as an adjectival or nominal modifier, and in apposition. It provides examples for each function and asks the reader to identify and classify infinitive phrases in sample sentences.

Uploaded by

Đức Hiền Nguyễn Thị
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Phan Thanh Tuaán

Tel: 0918.469254 Morphology & Syntax

INFINITIVE PHRASE (IP)


I. FORM
An infinitive is the base form of a verb. It may be preceded by 'to' (the to-infinitive) or stand
alone (the base or bare/zero infinitive). An infinitive phrase is this form of the verb plus any
objects or modifiers, etc.
1.With 'to'/To Infinitive
I like to study English.
It is hard to find a job now.
The old man decided to marry the woman.
2.Without 'to'/Bare Infinitive
She may live in HCMC.
He should work harder.
I would rather visit Dalat.
II. FUNCTION
1. Subject of a Predicate
To infinitive phrase can be used as a predicate of a clause or sentence.
To study abroad is useful.
To be or not to be is the question.
Note: This is more common in written English than spoken.
2. Object of a Verb
To infinitive phrase can be used as an object of a verb.
I want to buy some stamps.
She agreed to lend him some money.
3. Object Complement
To infinitive phrase can be used as an object complement.
I want to him to buy some stamps.
My father allowed me to study abroad.
4. Subject Complement
To infinitive phrase can be used as a subject complement.
To see is to believe.
Your duty is to take care of these children.
5. Verbal Phrase Modifier
To infinitive phrase can be used as a verb modifier.
Every evening he comes to the park to see his girlfriend.
Some people go to evening classes only to meet their friends.

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Phan Thanh Tuaán
Tel: 0918.469254 Morphology & Syntax

6. Adjectival Phrase Complement


To infinitive phrase can be used as an adjective modifier.
She is ready to leave now.
I am glad/happy to see you here.
7. Nominal/noun Phrase Modifier
To infinitive phrase can be used as a noun phrase modifier.
Would you like something to drink?
It was an astonishing way to behave.
The children need a garden to play in.
8. Apposition
To infinitive phrase can be used as an apposition.
You have two choices, to go out or to stay.

Underline the infinitive phrase(s) in each of the following sentences and tell how it is
used.
No one came to see the old man.
VM
1. Have you ever stopped to think about your goals in life?

2. Bình tried to warn them of the problem.

3. We finally found the best actor to play that difficult role.

4. Minh is attempting to eat forty-five hot dogs.

5. The salesperson altered his pitch to suit each potential buyer.

6. Early clocks were hard to read.

7. Manh struggled hard to free himself.

8. You have two choices, to stay or to go.

9. To err is human, to forgive is divine.

10.Hoàng reeled the fish in slowly to keep it securely on the line.

11.My grandmother's attempt to skateboard ended in disaster.

12.The deer returned to eat more from our yard.

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Phan Thanh Tuaán
Tel: 0918.469254 Morphology & Syntax
13.His joys are to play soccer and to visit friends.

14.He tried to make picnic lunches for the team.

15.They have come to clear away the debris from the storm.

16. To see and to hear are highly developed senses in many animals.

17.You need to exercise regularly to lose weight.

18.The governor's plan to fix the budget only made problems worse.

19.Nam bought Hương a ring to show his love.

20.My grandfather wanted only to build a home and raise a family.

21.Their war aims, to kill the people and to destroy the nation, were not accomplished.

22.They wanted to score and to win the game.

23.The woman's hobby was to camp and to hike.

24.I only desired one thing, to forgive you and to forget our differences.

25.To save money for a rainy day is a good idea.

26.Two bad habits are to smoke cigarettes and to drink alcohol.

27.She learned to read and write English in Vietnam.

28.Eric's desire to do everything perfectly will eventually frustrate him.

29.His only ambition is to succeed at his job.

30.To attempt an explanation for this phenomenon would do little good.

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