Jubail International School
Academic Session 2023-24
Subject:__________Grade:________Trimester:___________Worksheet #____________Date:____________
Infinitive Verbs
The infinitive form of a verb is the verb in its basic form. It is the version of the verb which will appear in the
dictionary. The infinitive form of a verb is usually preceded by "to" (e.g., "to run," "to dance," "to think”).
I need to run every day.
(The infinitive form with the word "to" is called the "full infinitive" or "to-infinitive.")
Examples of Infinitives as Nouns
Here are some examples of infinitive verbs as nouns:
● To dance was her passion.
(The infinitive is the subject of "was.")
Compare it to this:
● Dancing was her passion.
(This proves that the infinitive "to dance" is being used a noun.)
Here is another example:
● He likes to hunt.
(The infinitive is the direct object of "likes.")
Compare it to this:
● He likes hunting.
(This proves that the infinitive "to hunt" is being used a noun.)
Examples of Infinitives as Adjectives
An adjective modifies a noun to tell us something about the noun (e.g., its colour, type, or number). You have
to bear this in mind when working out how infinitives function as adjectives. Here are some examples of
infinitive verbs as adjectives:
● Give him an ornament to polish.
(The infinitive modifies "ornament." This means it is functioning as an adjective.)
Compare it to this:
● Give him an ornament that he can polish.
(The clause "that he must polish" is an adjective clause. This proves that the infinitive "to polish" is
being used an adjective.)
Here is another example:
● I need a volunteer to take the minutes.
(The infinitive modifies "volunteer." This means it is functioning as an adjective.)
Compare it to this:
● I need a volunteer who is prepared to take the minutes.
(The clause "who is prepared to take the minutes" is an adjective clause. Therefore, the infinitive "to
take" is being used an adjective. Note how "to take" is grouped with "the minutes." This is an infinitive
phrase.)
An infinitive that acts as an adjective usually appears immediately after the noun it is modifying.
Examples of Infinitives as Adverbs
An adverb usually modifies a verb to tell us when, where, how, in what manner, or to what extent an action is
performed. You have to bear this in mind when working out how infinitives function as adverbs. Here are
some examples of infinitive verbs as adverbs:
● The officer returned to help.
(The infinitive modifies the verb "returned." This means it is functioning as an adverb.)
Compare it to this:
● He will complete the mission to set an example.
(The infinitive modifies the verb "will complete." This means it is functioning as an adverb.)
Compare it to this:
An infinitive is a verb form that can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. Most infinitives
begin with to. An infinitive phrase is made up of an infinitive and any complements (direct objects,
predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers.) The entire phrase can be used as noun,
adjective, or adverb.
EXAMPLES:
Noun To graduate and become a police officer is her primary goal.
Adjecti This is the coat to buy for winter.
ve
Adver I may travel to Egypt next summer to visit the pyramids.
b
EXERCISE A: Find the INFINITIVE or the INFINITIVE PHRASE in each of the
following sentences. Then, write whether the phrase is used as NOUN,
ADJECTIVE, or ADVERB.
1. Marina took the time to decorate her bedroom.
Infinitive Phrase:To decorate her bedroomUsed as: adj
2. My dream has always been to travel to India.
Infinitive Phrase: To travel to India Used as: Noun
3. After watching the movie, my sister was unable to sleep.
Infinitive Phrase: Used as: _
4. Summer is a great time to be in Miami.
Infinitive Phrase: Used as:
5. To study a foreign language is a worthwhile pursuit.
Infinitive Phrase: Used as:
6. My best friend Eddie was not the first one to leave the classroom.
Infinitive Phrase: Used as:
7. The salesperson measured Andy’s arm to determine his sleeve size.
Infinitive Phrase: Used as:
8. To improve sustainable agriculture is one of the goals of organic farming.
Infinitive Phrase: Used as:
9. To remember a conversation from five years ago is quite a tricky task.
Infinitive Phrase: Used as:
10.Rotating crops and sowing pest-resistant plants are options to employ for pest control.
Infinitive Phrase: Used as:
EXERCISE B: Find the ADVERB INFINITIVE in each of the following
sentences. Then, write what each adverb infinitive modifies.
1. Are you old enough to drive?
Adverb Infinitive: _ Modifies:
2. The crowd had come to demonstrate against his cruelty.
Adverb Infinitive: _ Modifies:
3. I would be happy to help you.
Adverb Infinitive: _ Modifies:
4. No one came to see the old man.
Adverb Infinitive: _ Modifies:
5. The commentator stopped to clarify his statement.
Adverb Infinitive: _ Modifies:
