Infinitives Lesson

​A Star Wars Guide to Infinitives

By Kathryn Tsai

Poll

How do you feel about using infinitives?

• 1 - What's an infinitive?

• 2 - I think I understand them but need help when I practice.

• 3 - I already know what they are and would like to practice.

• 4 - Easy! I've got it and can teach someone else about infinitives.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence correctly uses the infinitive "to prepare"?

• The project to prepare tomorrow she will.

• To prepare the project tomorrow, she will.

• To prepare she will the project tomorrow.

• None of these.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence correctly uses the infinitive "to explain"?

• The project to explain tomorrow she will.

• To explain the project tomorrow, she will.

• To explain she will the project tomorrow.

• None of these.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence correctly uses the infinitive "to decide"?

• The project to decide tomorrow she will.

• To decide the project tomorrow, she will.

• To decide she will the project tomorrow.

• None of these.

Definition: ____________________________________

• Example: to read, to jump, to explain 

What is an infinitive? 

​

As subject: (To learn) helps jedis grow. 

As object: I want (to learn) more. 

​​Noun

He has a book (to read). 

Adjective

She paused (to listen) carefully. 

​​Adverb

Infinitive Phrase Components

• An infinitive phrase includes the infinitive plus modifiers or objects. 

• Example: to solve the problem quickly — infinitive = to solve; object = the problem; modifier = quickly 

Multiple Choice

Identify the infinitive in the following sentence: Darth Vader plans to visit the Death Star on Friday.

• Darth Vader

• to visit

• plans to

• on Friday.

Multiple Choice

Identify the infinitive in the following sentence: To win the heart of a princess requires hard work.

• of a princess

• requires hard work

• to win

• the heart

Multiple Choice

Identify the infinitive in the following sentence: He stopped to pet the Ewok.

• he stopped

• stopped to

• the Ewok

• to pet

Multiple Choice

Identify the infinitive in the following sentence: She has a lot of work on the X-Wing to finish tonight.

• to finish

• She has a lot

• on the X-Wing

• finish tonight

Multiple Choice

Correct the error in the following sentence: She decided quickly to leave the meeting of the senators.

• Correct sentence: She decided to quickly leave the meeting of the senators.

• Correct sentence: She decided to leave quickly the meeting of the senators.

• Correct sentence: To quickly leave, she decided the meeting of the senators.

• Correct sentence: To leave, she decided quickly the meeting of the senators.

Multiple Choice

Correct the error in the following sentence: I asked him to not interrupt.

• None of these options are correct.

• Interrupt I asked him not.

• To not interrupt, I asked him. 

• I asked him not to interrupt.

Multiple Choice

Correct the following sentence: He promised to always be honest.

• None of these options are correct.

• To always be honest, he promised.

• He promised always to be honest.

• To be honest, he promised always.

Poll

How do you feel about using infinitives?

• 1 - I still don't understand and need more help.

• 2 - I think I'm getting the hang of it!

• 3 - I get it and would like to practice.

• 4 - Easy! I've got it and can teach someone else about infinitives.