To-infinitive

Definition

A to-infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by the word 'to', often used to express purpose, intention, or a future action. It plays an important role in forming non-finite clauses, allowing for the integration of actions or states within a sentence without conveying a specific tense. This flexibility enables to-infinitives to serve various functions, including acting as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in sentences.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. To-infinitives can function as subjects, objects, or complements in sentences, providing versatility in their use.
2. They are often used to express purpose, as in 'I went to the store to buy milk.'
3. In some cases, to-infinitives can be used after certain adjectives, like 'happy' in 'She was happy to help.'
4. To-infinitives can also follow verbs like 'want', 'need', and 'decide' to indicate intentions or desires.
5. When used with certain verbs like 'seem' or 'appear', to-infinitives can describe potential or hypothetical situations.

Review Questions

• How does a to-infinitive function within a sentence, and what are some examples of its various roles?
  • A to-infinitive can function as a subject, an object, or a complement within a sentence. For example, in 'To read is enjoyable,' it acts as the subject. In 'I want to eat,' it serves as the object of the verb 'want.' Additionally, in 'Her goal is to travel,' it functions as a complement that describes the subject's aim. This versatility makes to-infinitives essential for expressing different ideas and actions.
• Discuss the significance of to-infinitives when expressing purpose in sentences with examples.
  • To-infinitives are significant when expressing purpose because they clarify why an action is being taken. For instance, in the sentence 'He studies hard to pass his exams,' the to-infinitive 'to pass' explains the purpose of studying hard. This construction helps convey intentions clearly and effectively within communication, allowing listeners or readers to understand motivations behind actions.
• Evaluate how the use of to-infinitives can affect sentence structure and meaning when combined with other grammatical elements.
  • The use of to-infinitives can greatly affect sentence structure and meaning by adding layers of information without altering the main tense or subject focus. For example, when combined with adjectives like 'excited' in 'She is excited to start her new job,' the meaning emphasizes her feelings about an upcoming action. Additionally, when used after verbs like 'hope' or 'intend,' such as in 'I hope to travel next year,' they clarify future aspirations while maintaining fluidity in expression. This showcases their role in enriching language and conveying nuanced meanings.

Related terms

Finite Verb: A finite verb is a verb form that shows tense and agrees with the subject in person and number, typically conveying a complete thought.

Gerund: A gerund is a verb form that ends in '-ing' and functions as a noun in a sentence, often used alongside infinitives to express similar ideas.

Non-finite Clause: A non-finite clause is a type of clause that contains a non-finite verb (such as an infinitive or gerund) and does not have a subject or show tense.