Infinitive Phrase_Exercise

Exercise

A. Find the infinitives that are acting like adjectives in the following sentences.  Write down the infinitive and then what word it modifies.  (Remember that the word has to be a noun or pronoun.)

1. Who was the first one to land on the moon?
2. It is time to work on that assignment.
3. The frail old lady needed someone to cut her lawn.
4. The club must find a way to solve their financial problems.
5. Is this story a good story to read?
6. The teacher has a long teaching plan to make.
7. Your talent to please others is an asset sometimes.
8. Determination to win will bring the team success.
9. The team's desire to win is very strong.
10. Jen's eagerness to learn is very evident.

B. Write down the infinitive that is used as an adverb in the following sentences.  The, write down what word the infinitive is modifying that is either a verb, adjective or another adverb.

1. The teacher wrote to the state to renew his license.
(Be careful - remember an infinitive is followed by a verb, not a noun.)

2. The students were eager to learn about Bob's vacation.

3. Have you ever stopped to think about your goals in life?

4. I am going to the store to buy a 100-watt light bulb.

5. Early clocks were hard to read.

6. The clock in my mother's room is very easy to see.

7. Bill uses his watch to get to work on time.  (CAREFUL!)

8. He went to his father to ask his consent.

9. The bus driver sounded his horn to warn the walkers.

10. The clown painted his face white to give a clown-look.

C. Write down the infinitive in each sentence.  Beside it, write its use in the sentence, as either subject, direct object, predicate noun, or object of the preposition. 

1. Do you want to read the book?
(Hint: change it to a statement..."You do want to read the book."  You do want what? - to read the book.  What position in a sentence answers the question, "what," after an action verb.)

2. To summarize a report is helpful to some people.

3. One study aid is to memorize.

4. Jeff needs to study harder and to get to school on time.  (CAREFUL!)

5. To persist is a valuable virtue in life.

6. His goal was to jump the hurdles.

7. The explorer's aim was to find a new land.

8. The boat was about to leave the pier.

9. The principal would like to see you in his office.

10. His hobby is to collect stamps.

11. The class is about to finish the unit of work.

12. To hear the orchestra was a wonderful experience.

13. Steve tried to write a poem.

14. The children were asked to contribute to the heart fund.

15. John did nothing in class except to gaze out the window.

D. Write down the infinitive phrase in each sentence and tell how it is used (as either a noun, adjective, or adverb).

1. You have two choices, to stay or to go.
2. Bill tried to warn them of the problem.
3. Jim had no choice except to resign from the position.
4. The child was afraid to tell the truth.
5. The teachers came to offer their service.
6. Joan had a scheme to make money.
7. I sat down to rest.
8. Ginger and her sister's plan was to see a lawyer.
9. The scouts stopped to buy some supplies.
10. The boss asked me to send the message to her brother.

E. In the following sentences underline Infinitive and Infinitive Phrase.

1. I asked to see the records.

2. I asked him to show me the records.

3. Trent expected his group to win.

4. Trent expected to win.

5. Brenda likes to drive fast.

6. Brenda likes her friend to drive fast.

7. He reminded me to buy milk.

8. Their fathers advise them to study.

9. She forced the defendant to admit the truth.

10. You've convinced the director of the program to change her position.

11. I invite you to consider the evidence.

F. Say whether the underlined phrase in the following sentences are gerund phrases, participle phrases, or infinitive phrase; and then say its function. (noun, verb, adjective, or adverb).

1. Next time, to prevent the loss of our food cache, we will use bear canisters instead.

2. Our plans to continue on to Tuolumne Meadows changed suddenly once we lost our food supplies.

3. To watch the bear toss our things around was distressing.

4. We tried to signal our friends on Half Dome with a text message, but failed.

5. To make mistake is easy.

6. To wait for people who were late made him angry.

7. My ambition was to retire at thirty.

8. Your task is to get across the river without being seen.

9. It is my ambition to retire at thirty.

10. It is your task to get across the river without being seen.

11. We gave bungee jumping a chance.

12. Venus Williams dreamt all her life about playing in the Grand Slam final at Wimbledon.

13. Babies crying in the night bother me.

14. Food frozen for over five years tastes icky.

15. Burned on each side, the toast was inedible.

16. Running marathons is my favorite activity.

17. Reading books on the porch rocks!

18. Diagramming sentences is fun!