Due:____________________

Infinitives Worksheet

Reminders:

• Infinitives are verb forms used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.

  • Ex: Rachel wanted to draw. (Infinitive as a noun, acting as the DO of the sentence)

  • Ex: The game to watch will be on Tuesday afternoon. (Infinitive as an adjective, modifying game)

  • Ex: I went to my friend's house to study. (Infinitive as an adverb, answering the adverb question, Why?)

  • Ex: I am ready to go. (Infinitive as an adverb, modifying the adjective ready.)

• Infinitives usually start with to.

  • Ex: to look, to run, to read.

• Sometimes the to of the infinitive can be omitted.

  • Ex: I can't make you change.

  • Ex: She let us chat after we finished our homework.

• Do not confuse infinitives with prepositional phrases that begin with the preposition, to.

  • Prepositional phrases are made up of prepositions + nouns/pronouns.

    • to home, to the park, to my car.

  • Infinitives are made up of to + verb.

    • to run, to think, to love.

Sentences

Directions:

• Underline the infinitives in the sentences below.

  • If the infinitive is acting as a noun, indicate the noun position it is occupying (Subj, OP, DO, PN).

  • If the infinitive is acting as an adjective, draw an arrow to the noun/pronoun it is modifying.

  • If the infinitive is acting as an adverb, indicate the adverb question it is answering (Why?, etc.) or (if it is modifying an adjective) draw an arrow to the adjective it is modifying.

1. Susan's plan is to escape.

2. The book to read is the one on the top shelf.

3. My little brother has learned to walk.

4. She was happy to help.

5. A hard way to go is over the mountain pass.

6. The student began to sing after the introduction.

7. The volleyball team went to the Sue's house to celebrate.

8. We met in the chapel to pray.

9. That is the one to use.

10. To fail can be the beginning of success.

Infinitive Phrases

Reminders:

• Infinitive phrases are made up of infinitives and accompanying modifiers.

  • Ex: To swim smoothly requires practice.

  • Ex: Polly was selected to join the choir.

  • Ex: We planned to blanket the town with leaflets advertising our show. (Can you spot the participial phrase within the infinitive phrase?)

Sentences

Directions:

• Underline the infinitives and infinitive phrases in the sentences below.

  • If it is acting as a noun, indicate the noun position it is occupying (Subj, OP, DO, PN).

  • If it is acting as an adjective, draw an arrow to the noun/pronoun it is modifying.

  • If it is acting as an adverb, indicate the adverb question it is answering (Why?, etc.) or (if it is modifying an adjective) draw an arrow to the adjective it is modifying.

1. The police scattered the protesters to clear the park.

2. To paint beautifully requires talent and practice.

3. She chose to leave her boots behind.

4. Peter needs to sleep.

5. He's going to the pool to swim laps.

6. A good way to lose your money is to go to the mall.

7. After a long day sitting in classes at school, I need to exercise.

8. To assure our safety, the fire chief gave us advice on the procedures to follow in an emergency.

9. Ronnie and Dave worked to create the perfect party.

10. My cats live to eat and to sleep all day.

11. He planned to succeed at learning backgammon.

12. The play to see will be Romeo and Juliet performed by Prep students.

13. They were ready to leave for their vacation.

14. Don't dare open that package until we get home.

15. We decided to vacation in Florence, Italy.

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