The infinitive, which is the base form of a verb with the word “to” in front of it (e.g. to run, to play, to sing), is an essential part of English grammar. It can function as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb within a sentence. In this article, we will explore the different parts of a sentence where an infinitive can be found and how it is used in each case.
Parts of Speech Containing Infinitives
Noun
An infinitive can function as a noun within a sentence. In this case, it often appears as the subject or object of a sentence. Examples include:
- Subject: To exercise regularly is beneficial for your health.
- Object: She wants to travel the world.
In both examples, the infinitive phrase (“to exercise regularly” and “to travel the world”) acts as a singular noun, either as the subject of the sentence or as the direct object of the verb.
Adjective
An infinitive can also function as an adjective, providing more information about a noun in the sentence. Examples include:
- The book is too difficult to understand.
- This is a good place to eat.
In these examples, the infinitive phrases “to understand” and “to eat” describe the nouns “book” and “place,” respectively, providing additional information about them.
Adverb
An infinitive can function as an adverb, modifying a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Examples include:
- She works hard to succeed.
- The music is too loud to hear yourself think.
In these examples, the infinitive phrases “to succeed” and “to hear” modify the verbs “works” and “is,” respectively, providing additional information about the action or state described by the verbs.
Placement in a Sentence
The placement of an infinitive in a sentence can vary, depending on its function and the structure of the sentence. Here are the common placements of infinitives within a sentence:
At the Beginning of a Sentence
Infinitives can be placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis or to introduce a new idea. For example:
- To travel is my passion.
- To be successful takes hard work and dedication.
In these examples, the infinitive phrases “to travel” and “to be successful” are placed at the beginning of the sentences to emphasize the actions or ideas that follow.
After an Auxiliary Verb
Infinitives are commonly used after auxiliary verbs such as “will,” “should,” “can,” “could,” “may,” and “must.” For example:
- She will study abroad next year.
- We should try the new restaurant downtown.
In these examples, the infinitive phrases “to study” and “to try” follow the auxiliary verbs “will” and “should,” respectively, to indicate the future action or obligation.
After Certain Verbs
Infinitives are also used after certain verbs, such as “want,” “need,” “like,” “love,” “hate,” and “prefer.” For example:
- I love to read in my free time.
- She hates to be late for appointments.
In these examples, the infinitive phrases “to read” and “to be late” follow the verbs “love” and “hates,” respectively, to indicate the desired or disliked action.
Split Infinitives
While most infinitive phrases appear as a single unit (e.g. to eat, to speak), there are instances where adverbs are inserted between “to” and the verb (e.g. to quickly eat, to confidently speak). This is known as a split infinitive. For example:
- He decided to quickly finish the project.
- She tried to carefully maneuver the car through traffic.
In these examples, the adverbs “quickly” and “carefully” are inserted between “to” and the verbs “finish” and “maneuver,” respectively, to provide further detail about the action.
As a Modifier
Infinitives can also be used as modifiers to provide additional information about a noun in a sentence. For example:
- She needs a place to study.
- They have activities to do during the summer.
In these examples, the infinitive phrases “to study” and “to do” modify the nouns “place” and “activities,” respectively, providing more context about them.
Conclusion
Understanding where an infinitive can appear within a sentence is crucial for constructing clear and grammatically correct English sentences. Whether it functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb, the infinitive plays a versatile role in conveying meaning and expressing actions, desires, or states. By recognizing the different parts of speech and sentence structures where infinitives are used, you can improve your overall proficiency in English grammar and communication.
FAQs
1. Can an infinitive come after a preposition?
Yes, an infinitive can come after a preposition in a sentence. For example:
- We are looking forward to seeing you again.
- I am thinking about joining the gym.
In these examples, the infinitives “seeing” and “joining” follow the prepositions “to” and “about,” respectively, to indicate the intended action.
2. How do I identify an infinitive in a sentence?
An infinitive can typically be identified by the word “to” followed by the base form of a verb (e.g. to run, to eat, to read). However, it is important to note that not all verbs that are followed by “to” are infinitives. Some are part of different verb constructions, such as the gerund or the bare infinitive, which have distinct forms and functions.
3. Can an infinitive be used without the word “to”?
Yes, an infinitive can be used without the word “to” in certain cases, such as after modal verbs (e.g. can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would) and certain auxiliary verbs (e.g. do, be, have). This form is known as the bare infinitive. For example:
- She can read in three different languages.
- We should eat before the movie starts.
In these examples, the verbs “read” and “eat” appear in their bare infinitive form, without the word “to.”
By understanding the various uses and placement of infinitives in a sentence, you can enhance your language skills and effectively express yourself in English.
