1. Infinitives and Infinitive Phrases

2. What is an infinitive? An infinitive is a verb form that usually begins with the word to and acts as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. An infinitive is a verb form that usually begins with the word to and acts as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. Ex. Ex. Mars is a place some people want to visit. Mars is a place some people want to visit.

3. What is an infinitive phrase? An infinitive phrase is an infinitive plus its modifiers and complements. An infinitive phrase is an infinitive plus its modifiers and complements. Ex. To believe in life on Mars was common in the 1930’s. Ex. To believe in life on Mars was common in the 1930’s. Martians might use flying saucers to invade earth. Martians might use flying saucers to invade earth. I took time to read an old science fiction book. I took time to read an old science fiction book.

4. Inf. Phrase or Prep. Phrase? Be careful not to confuse infinitive phrases with prepositional phrases. Remember, if a verb follows to, you have an infinitive phrase. If a noun or pronoun follows to, you have a prep. phrase. Ex. Of all the planets, Mars is the most similar to Earth. Of all the planets, Mars is the most similar to Earth. It was easy to imagine creatures on Mars. It was easy to imagine creatures on Mars. Would you like to travel to Mars? Would you like to travel to Mars?

5. Practice Refer to the chart on P. 175 of your textbook for additional help recognizing infinitives and inf. phrases. Do Not Copy This Part. Complete Ex. A on P. 177 of textbook. Identify the infinitive phrase in each sentence and label each as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.