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What part of speech are learn, return, and eat? In each sentence what prepositon comes before these words? Think of the preposition and the verb together: to learn, to return, to eat. A verb preceded by the preposition to makes the infinitive.

The infinitive is a verb commonly preceded by the preIt names an action, being or state, without

position to.

asserting it.

Select the infinitive in each of the following:

1. The miners decided to return to work.

2. Our hostess said cordially that she was glad to see us.

3. The soldier tried to reach the fort but failed.

4. We decided to stop where the roads crossed.

5. The spectators rose and began to cheer the team.

6. Most of the immigrants are eager to learn our language. 7. England expects every man to do his duty.

8. Lawrence told his men not to give up the ship.

9. Everyone who has the right to vote should go to the polls on election day.

10. It is hard for some to take defeat gracefully.

11. We were all glad to hear that the armistice had been signed.

12. The man made every effort to pay his debts.

II

THE INFINITIVE USED AS A NOUN

In the sentence, "To eat is necessary," what is the infinitive? What part of the sentence is it? What part of speech is usually the subject of a sentence?

We now know the infinitive may be used as a noun. In the following sentences select the infinitive and tell for what part of the sentence each is used:

1. To err is human; to forgive, divine.

2. To swim is a healthful exercise.

3. To write a legible hand is a business asset.

4. To accept defeat cheerfully shows strength of character.

5. To help others is a blessed privilege.

6. To know what is right and not to do it is inexcusable. 7. To cheer the team that defeats your own is good sportsmanship.

8. To read a good book is to gain a new friend.

9. To indulge in hearty laughter is healthful.

10. To vote is both a privilege and a duty.

11. To answer letters promptly is a courteous habit. 12. To rule the world was Alexander's ambition.

III

THE INFINITIVE USED AS AN ADJECTIVE

In the sentence, "I have a lesson to learn," what word does the infinitive to learn modify? What part of speech is lesson? What do we call words which modify nouns?

You now know that infinitives may modify nouns or, in other words, may be used as adjectives.

In the following sentences select the infinitives, and tell what noun each modifies:

1. I have not enough time to do my work properly.

2. We have reason to believe that he is safe.

3. The soldiers had a duty to perform.

4. The time to accomplish great things is in your youth. 5. There is a time to work and a time to play.

IV

THE INFINITIVE USED AS AN ADVERB

In the sentence, "He came to return the book," what word does the infinitive to return modify? What part of speech is came? What do we call words which modify verbs?

We now know that infinitives may modify verbs or, in other words, be used as adverbs.

In the sentence, "I am glad to go," the infinitive to go modifies the adjective glad.

In the following sentences select the infinitives and tell what word each modifies:

1. Whittier wrote to help the cause of freedom.

2. The boy was anxious to learn.

3. The soldiers fought to secure liberty.

4. Robinson Crusoe worked to obtain food and clothing. 5. The charming girl sang to cheer the wounded soldiers.

V

GRAMMATICAL RELATIONS OF THE INFINITIVE

The infinitive may have the following uses:

1. Subject: To eat is necessary.

2. Predicate nominative: The noblest virtue is to forgive. 3. Adjective modifier: I have a lesson to learn.

4. Adverbial modifier: He came to return the book.

We were sorry to miss you.

In the following sentences, select the infinitive; tell how it is used in the sentence. If the infinitive is used as an adjective or an adverb, tell what it modifies.

1. To leave kind friends is sad.

2. I am glad to hear the news.

3. Are you willing to help us by giving your services?
4. To discover a new chemical element was his great hope.
5. John was proud to serve his country.

6. He wanted to stay but knew he must go.

7. The mother hoped to finish her work before the children came home.

8. I intended to answer your letter earlier.

9. The boys were too tired to enjoy their dinner.

10. The Boy Scouts were glad to have taken the hike.

11. Robert preferred to be called "Bob."

12. She is known to be a descendant of an Indian chief. 13. To lose is sometimes better than to win.

14. She tried her best to unlock the secret door.
15. Bella's father refused to take her to the circus.
16. He had reason to believe that he was watched.
17. The spy tried to walk without making a sound.
18. To haul up the flag was the boy's delight.
19. The captain decided to furl the sails.

20. Rover was proud to bring the stick to his master. 150. OTHER RELATIONS OF THE INFINITIVE

I

THE INFINITIVE WITH IT

Infinitives are often used in sentences which are introduced by the word it.

It is wise to exercise daily.

It is foolish to abuse the eyes.

In the first sentence it is the grammatical subject of the sentence, but it does not reveal the meaning of the sentence. The words to exercise tell us what is wise. The infinitive here is in apposition with it. The infinitive might here be called the logical subject.

Read the second sentence. What is foolish? What is the grammatical subject? the logical subject?

Since it is merely introductory and is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence, it is called an expletive.

Write five sentences introduced by it containing an infinitive.

II

THE INFINITIVE WITHOUT TO

1. One part of the infinitive must be a verb.

2. The infinitive must have the preposition to before

the verb, but sometimes the to is not written. You must think that it is there.

In the sentence, "Bid him do it," we do not say the word to. We really mean "Bid him to do it."

The infinitive is used without to after the auxiliary verbs do, must, can, may, shall, and will. It is usually omitted after see, hear, feel, dare, need, please, let, make, help, have, and go.

In the following sentences select the verb before which the preposition to is omitted:

1. I heard him say that he intended to go.

2. We saw him wave his hand as he turned the curve of the road.

3. His father made him go to college.

4. I dare do all that may become a man.

Who dares do more is none.

5. "Let me help you with your bundles," said the boy. 6. The men saw their captain give the signal.

A CAUTION

People who speak well avoid using a word between the two parts of the infinitive. The use of a word between to and the verb is known as the split infinitive. Wrong: He wishes to correctly state the fact. Right: He wishes to state the fact correctly.

III

TENSE OF THE INFINITIVE

The tenses of the infinitive denote time in relation to the tense of the verb to which the infinitive is related.

Present Infinitive
She asks to go.

She asked to go.
She will ask to go.

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