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INFINITIVES - Questions & Answers

A Underline the infinitive and state its function in each sentence.

1. We have no option except to try.
to try; Function: object of a preposition

2. Her desire is to travel the world.
to travel; Function: subject complement

3. The workers liked to sing as they worked.
to sing; Function: object of the transitive verb 'liked'

4. Don't you want to know what happened next?
to know; Function: object of the transitive verb 'want'

5. To be a pilot has always been Divya's dream.
To be; Function: subject of the sentence

6. Ms Rukhsana instructed us to stay together.
to stay; Function: direct object of a verb with two objects

B Identify the infinitive in each sentence and state its function.

1. It is safe to visit the place now.
Infinitive: to visit; Function: adverb qualifying the adjective 'safe'

2. It was futile to go there.
Infinitive: to go; Function: adverb qualifying the adjective 'futile'

3. She called to say goodbye.
Infinitive: to say; Function: adverb qualifying the verb 'called' (to express purpose)

4. I need a laptop to work.
Infinitive: to work; Function: adjective qualifying the noun 'laptop'

5. 'Is this the way to talk?' Ms Jane chided Kim.
Infinitive: to talk; Function: adjective qualifying the noun 'way'

6. They asked me to wait until 2 o'clock.
Infinitive: to wait; Function: direct object of a verb with two objects

C Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the infinitives given in brackets.

1. People dare not step in that house at night. (step)

2. You had better leave the matter at that. (leave)

3. She would act in stage plays when she was in school. (act)

4. She would rather have juice than a soft drink. (have)

5. The coach made us practise very hard every morning. (practise)

6. You could take my car if you want. (take)

7. We are not allowed to use mobile phones in class. (use)

8. The film is not good enough to deserve one's time. (deserve)

9. I'd stay at home rather than go with them. (stay, go)

10. You may live here for as long as you want. (live)

D Underline the infinitive phrase in each sentence and state its function.

1. Martin Luther King Jr fought to win rights for the blacks in America.
to win rights for the blacks in America; Function: adverb qualifying the verb 'fought'

2. He is training diligently to regain his fitness.
to regain his fitness; Function: adverb qualifying the verb 'is training'

3. Shefali has joined an online class to learn German.
to learn German; Function: adverb qualifying the verb 'has joined'

4. Shekhar likes to have fresh orange juice after working out.
to have fresh orange juice after working out; Function: object of the verb 'likes'

5. The monk asked for some warm water to wash his feet.
to wash his feet; Function: adjective qualifying the noun phrase 'some warm water'

6. We have asked him to be on time for the rehearsal.
to be on time for the rehearsal; Function: direct object of the verb 'asked'

7. They need some rest to rejuvenate themselves.
to rejuvenate themselves; Function: adjective qualifying the noun 'rest'

8. 'It's not easy to score runs on this pitch,' said the commentator.
to score runs on this pitch; Function: adverb qualifying the adjective 'easy'

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Quick Review Flashcards - Click to flip and test your knowledge!
Question
What is the key difference between finite and non-finite verbs regarding the subject of a sentence?
Answer
Finite verbs are linked to the subject and change according to person, number, and tense, whereas non-finite verbs are not.
Question
Name the three kinds of non-finite verbs.
Answer
Infinitives, participles, and gerunds.
Question
What is an infinitive?
Answer
An infinitive is a non-finite verb form that is not restricted by person, number, or tense.
Question
A to-infinitive is formed by 'to' + the _____ form of the verb.
Answer
base
Question
What is a bare infinitive?
Answer
It is the base form of the verb used without 'to'.
Question
What are the three main grammatical functions a to-infinitive can have?
Answer
It can function as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.
Question
In the sentence 'She loves to write', what is the function of the to-infinitive 'to write'?
Answer
It functions as a noun, serving as the object of the verb 'loves'.
Question
In the sentence 'She had the good sense to leave', what is the function of the to-infinitive 'to leave'?
Answer
It functions as an adjective, qualifying the noun phrase 'the good sense'.
Question
In the sentence 'We played to win', what is the function of the to-infinitive 'to win'?
Answer
It functions as an adverb, qualifying the verb 'played'.
Question
When a to-infinitive acts as the subject of a sentence, in what grammatical role is it functioning?
Answer
As a noun.
Question
Identify the function of 'To swim' in the sentence 'To swim is a great exercise'.
Answer
It is a noun, acting as the subject of the sentence.
Question
Identify the function of 'to leave' in the sentence 'She wanted to leave early'.
Answer
It is a noun, acting as the object of the verb 'wanted'.
Question
In 'The doctor asked me to rest', what is the function of 'to rest'?
Answer
It is the direct object of a verb ('asked') which has two objects.
Question
What is the grammatical function of the to-infinitive phrase in 'Her dream was to be an actor'?
Answer
It acts as a subject complement.
Question
In 'You have no option except to comply', the to-infinitive 'to comply' is functioning as the object of a _____.
Answer
preposition
Question
When a to-infinitive functions as an adjective, what does it modify?
Answer
It tells us more about a noun or a noun phrase.
Question
In 'This is not a place to dance', what is the function of 'to dance'?
Answer
It is an adjective that tells us more about the noun 'place'.
Question
When a to-infinitive functions as an adverb, what does it qualify?
Answer
It qualifies verbs or adjectives.
Question
As an adverb, a to-infinitive can qualify a verb to express use, cause, or _____.
Answer
purpose
Question
What function does 'to discuss' serve in the sentence 'He came here to discuss the matter'?
Answer
It functions as an adverb expressing purpose, qualifying the verb 'came'.
Question
In the sentence 'The children were happy to reach home', what does the to-infinitive 'to reach' qualify?
Answer
It qualifies the adjective 'happy'.
Question
What is the structure of the perfect infinitive?
Answer
to + have + past participle (e.g., to have broken, to have seen).
Question
What is the structure of the continuous infinitive?
Answer
to + be + present participle (e.g., to be swimming, to be waiting).
Question
The bare infinitive is used after certain verbs of perception such as hear, see, feel, watch, etc. and verbs like _____, make, and let.
Answer
bid
Question
Identify the bare infinitive in the sentence 'I saw the children fight'.
Answer
fight
Question
What grammatical form can often be used in place of the bare infinitive after verbs of perception like 'see' and 'hear'?
Answer
The present participle (verb + -ing).
Question
After which specific verb can the present participle *not* be used as a substitute for the bare infinitive?
Answer
The verb 'let' (e.g., 'I let him use the kitchen,' not 'I let him using the kitchen').
Question
Bare infinitives are used to follow which type of auxiliary verbs?
Answer
Modal auxiliaries (e.g., shall, will, can, may, should, would, could, might, must).
Question
Identify the bare infinitive in the sentence 'They should show more maturity'.
Answer
show
Question
Bare infinitives are used after expressions like 'had better' and '_____'.
Answer
would rather
Question
Identify the bare infinitive in 'I would rather come with you than him'.
Answer
come
Question
What is an infinitive phrase?
Answer
A group of words that comprises an infinitive, its modifiers, objects, and complements.
Question
What is the function of the infinitive phrase in 'We need more food to serve the guests'?
Answer
It functions as an adjective modifying the noun 'food'.
Question
What is the function of the infinitive phrase in 'We asked them to clear up as soon as possible'?
Answer
It is the direct object of the verb 'asked'.
Question
What is the function of the infinitive phrase in 'She was shocked to know the truth'?
Answer
It functions as an adverbial phrase qualifying the adjective 'shocked'.