Lesson 233 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals - Adverb Infinitives

An infinitive is to plus a verb form. It can be used as an adverb. Examples: to be, to see, to be seen, to be eaten.

Adverb infinitives are used to modify predicate adjectives.

An infinitive phrase is made up of an infinitive and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers.) An infinitive phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Instructions: Find the infinitives or infinitive phrases in these sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. The van is ready to go.

2. You are sure to meet him again.

3. My horse is hard to catch.

4. I am happy to be of service.

5. Joan is likely to change her mind.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. to go modifies the predicate adjective ready

2. to meet him again modifies the predicate adjective sure

3. to catch modifies the predicate adjective hard

4. to be of service modifies the predicate adjective happy

5. to change her mind modifies the predicate adjective likely

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