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This document discusses the different grammatical functions an infinitive phrase can serve in a sentence. It explains that an infinitive phrase can be the subject, direct object, subject complement, adjective, or adverb of a sentence. Specifically, it provides examples of sentences where the infinitive phrase serves each of these functions.

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Jhong Sarcilla Pagalaran
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18 views

Subject

This document discusses the different grammatical functions an infinitive phrase can serve in a sentence. It explains that an infinitive phrase can be the subject, direct object, subject complement, adjective, or adverb of a sentence. Specifically, it provides examples of sentences where the infinitive phrase serves each of these functions.

Uploaded by

Jhong Sarcilla Pagalaran
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1.

Subject
An infinitive can constitute the subject of a sentence. For example, in To go, even after all that
trouble, didnt seem worthwhile anymore, to go is the action that drives the sentence.
2. Direct Object
In the sentence We all want to see, to see is the direct object, the noun (or noun substitute) that
receives the action of the verb. To see refers to a thing being done or, in this case, desired to be
done: the act of seeing.
3. Subject Complement
In My goal is to write, to write is the subject complement. A subject complement looks just like a
direct object, but the difference is in the type of verb preceding it. The verb in the previous
example, want, is a transitive verb. (Transitive verbs have two defining characteristics: They precede
a direct object, and they express an action.)
In My goal is to write, the verb is a copular, or linking, verb one that links a subject to a word or
phrase that complements it. (In this sentence, to write is the goal, so its the complement of goal.
Note that in the previous example, to see is what those referred to as we want, but its not the
complement of we.)
4. Adjective
In She didnt have permission to go, to go modifies permission it describes what type of
permission is being discussed so the phrase serves as an adjective.
5. Adverb
In He took the psychology class to try to understand human behavior, to understand (human
behavior) explains why the taking of the class occurred, so its an adverb modifying the verb took.

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