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You are here: Home / Lessons / Uses of the infinitive

Uses of the infinitive

February 24, 2016 - pdf

The infinitive can be used as a noun. As a noun it can be the subject or object of the verb.

  • To find fault is easy. (Here the infinitive ‘to find’ is the subject of the verb is.)
  • To err is human. (Here the infinitive ‘to err’ is the subject of the verb is.)
  • He likes to play cards. (Here the infinitive ‘to play’ serves as the object of the verb likes.)
  • I don’t want to go. (Here the infinitive ‘to go’ serves as the object of the verb want.)

The infinitive can also be the complement of a verb.

  • Her greatest pleasure is to sing. (Here the infinitive ‘to sing’ is the complement of the verb is.)

The infinitive can also be the object of a preposition.

  • The speaker is about to begin. (Here the infinitive ‘to begin’ is the object of the preposition about.)

The infinitive can also be used to qualify a verb.

  • He called to see my brother.
  • We eat to live.
  • I came to bury Caesar.

The infinitive can be used to qualify an adjective.

  • Figs are good to eat.
  • The boys are anxious to learn.
  • He is too ill to do any work.

The infinitive can be used to qualify a noun.

  • This is not the time to play.
  • Here is a house to let.

The infinitive can be used to qualify a sentence.

  • To tell the truth, I don’t have any interest in politics.
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