To-Infinitives
What are "to-infinitives?" Basic Definition: A "to-infinitive" is the base form of a verb with the word "to" in front of it. It looks like this: "to + verb". For example: "to run", "to eat", "to think". Key Feature: The crucial thing about "to-infinitives" is that they don't function as verbs in a sentence. Instead, they act like nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. How "to-infinitives" Work As Nouns: Subject: "To err is human" (The infinitive phrase "to err" is the subject of the sentence). Object: "I want to travel" (The infinitive phrase "to travel" is the object of the verb "want"). Complement: "My goal is to learn" (The infinitive phrase "to learn" complements the subject "goal"). As Adjectives: "I need a book to read" (The infinitive phrase "to read" modifies the noun ...