Most of us are used to the word to being a preposition, but that's not what it is when it's a part of an infinitive. When it's being used as part of an infinitive, we call it an infinitive marker. Look at these
Infinitive Phrases Versus Prepositional Phrases The wordtoappears in infinitive phrases and can also appear in some prepositional phrases. To distinguish between these two types of phrases, pay attention to the word that directly followsto. If it is a verb, then the phrase is an infinitive phrase...
However, not every phrase that begins withtois an infinitive phrase.Tois also a commonly used preposition, which means it can also be used to beginprepositional phrases. When used in a prepositional phrase,tois followed by a noun, pronoun, noun phrase, a word acting as a noun, and any oth...
Examples of Infinitive Phrases as Adverb Phrases: To track my running speed, I use a stopwatch. (To track my running speedis the infinitive phrase. It functions as an adverb phrase, modifying the verbuse.) I awaken very earlyto make the most of the day. ...
Learn all about infinitive verbs and their functions in this 5-minute video lesson. Get clear examples, and test your knowledge with an optional quiz.
It has to do with the function. Infinitive phrases do not function like verbs. It is not directly preceded by a subject. Let’s look at an example: Simple Present:You cook. Infinitive Verb:You liketo cook. The infinitive "to cook" acts like a noun because it is the answer to "what...
In this infinitive example, the entire phrase “to cancel class” is an infinitive phrase that revolves around the infinitive “to cancel.” When dealing with infinitive phrases, the doer of the action (in this case, “the teacher”) is known as the actor. My parents asked me to watch ...
(The infinitive phrase is an adverbial describing why he reads and engages.) Related Topics Can the Versatile Adverb Modify a Noun? Linking Verbs: What Is a Linking Verb? Prepositions Pop Quiz Now that you’re more aware of what adverbial phrases are, identify any that appear in the ...
is a phrase where "doing" is a gerund, serving as the object of the verb "like". "What do you like to do?" is a phrase where "to do" is an infinitive phrase, also serving as the object of the verb "like". Usage and Meaning(用法和意义): "What do you like doing?" is often...
To dream the impossible dream is an infinitive phrase. It's an appositive renaming the pronoun that. (This sentence is from Don Quixote by Cervantes.) To dream the impossible dream, that is my quest. To dream is the appositive infinitive. The second dream is the direct object of the first...