1. Infinitives and Infinitive Phrases
An infinitive is formed from the word “to” together with the base form (present tense) of a verb.
to write
to shimmer
to skate
to stop
to use
to see

2. An infinitive is the word “to” plus a VERB.
Remember:
An infinitive is the word “to” plus a VERB.
If you see the word “to” plus a noun or pronoun, it is a prepositional phrase.
Prepositional phrase
infinitive
I love to go to the zoo.

3. Infinitives are used as nouns most of the time, but they also can be used as adjectives or adverbs.
Many children like to skate.
Direct object
To stop is sometimes difficult
Subject
He is to blame.
Predicate Adjective
He lives to eat.
Adverb

4. An infinitive phrase is a group of words that include an infinitive and all the words that complete its meaning.
So, it’s the infinitive plus its object and all the other words to make it make sense.
…the infinitive, its object and all its in between modifying words

5. If it’s the subject, it is the infinitive and all the words up to the verb.
To eat all his dog food was Willie’s goal.
If it’s the predicate noun or direct object, it’s the infinitive and all the words to the end of the sentence or to another clause.
Rickie and Willie’s job is to eradicate the house of bugs.

6. To read about the history of spices can be fascinating.
Examples of infinitive phrases as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs. A separates the infinitive phrase. Verbs are underlined.
As a subject
To read about the history of spices can be fascinating.
As a predicate noun
One basic use of spices has been to flavor food.
As a direct object
Mahatma Gandhi started to study famous religious works.

7. As a direct object with a noun or pronoun preceding the infinitive.
Officials had forced him to leave the train.
Pronoun before the infinitive
As an appositive
L’Enfant had a vision, to create a city of wide avenues and vistas.

8. As an adjective
The book was a great way to learn about history.
As an adverb (describing a verb)
Susan went to take a trip in a covered wagon.
As an adverb (describing an adjective)
He was excited to ride a horse for the first time.

9. Do not split an infinitive.
That means that you should not put an adverb between the “to” and the verb.
We were told to carefully view each star.
We were told to view each star carefully.
We started to optimistically watch the sky for a comet.
Optimistically, we started to watch the sky for a comet.

10. To install the ceiling fan took two hours.
Find the infinitive phrases and what they do in the sentence.
To install the ceiling fan took two hours.
Winona’s ambition is to become a doctor.
Sharon likes to skate but not to ski.
The best time to visit Florida is December through April.
The gymnasts were ready to practice their routines.
I learned to place a small drop of oil on each link.

11. Taking care of your bicycle is one way to make it last.
We used machine oil to lubricate the chain.
Then, she showed me the valve that is needed to fill the inner tube.
Using a hand pump, we added some air to the back tire.
My aunt said not to pull the wrench too hard.
Healy, Patricia. Voyages in English. Chicago: Loyola Press, 2011.
Odell, Lee. Elements of Language. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2004.