Verbal: Infinitive or Infinitive Phrase

An infinitive is a verbal that may function as a noun, an adjective, or as an adverb. It consists of the particle to and the main form of the verb.

Examples:

to dream
to fight
to bear

An infinitive phrase is a word group composed of the infinitive and other words that go with it.

As a noun, the infinitive may be used in sentences as any of the following:

1. Infinitive or infinitive phrase as a subject

   Sentence	Infinitive / Infinitive Phrase	Predicate
   To join the police force was every young man’s dream in my part of town.	To join (the police force)	was every young man’s dream in my part of town
   To establish soccer games became a frenetic activity.	To establish (soccer games)	became a frenetic activity

2. Infinitive or infinitive phrase as a direct object

   Sentence	Subject	Verb	Infinitive / Infinitive Phrase
   I came to ask my mother the meaning of what Hurip had said.	I	came	to ask (my mother the meaning of what Hurip had said)
   Mother smiled and proceeded to explain the meaning of “politics.”	Mother	smiled, proceeded	to explain (the meaning of “politics”)

3. Infinitive or infinitive phrase as a predicate nominative

   Sentence	Subject	Verb	Infinitive / Infinitive Phrase
   As a child, my role in the discussions was to listen.	role	was	to listen
   The weaver was to receive much from the sale of lurik.	weaver	was	to receive (much from the sale of lurik)