Understanding Infinitives and Their Usage

In this video, Carrie explains infinitive phrases, which consist of an infinitive and its modifiers or complements. The video covers how infinitive phrases can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. It also discusses objective infinitives, adverb infinitives, and the concept of split infinitives, advising against their use in formal writing. The video further explores infinitive clauses, which include subjects, and provides examples and practice exercises to reinforce learning.

What is an infinitive phrase composed of?

• An infinitive and its modifiers or complements

• A verb and a subject

• A verb and an adverb

• A noun and an adjective

In the sentence 'To finish early is Kerry's plan,' what role does the infinitive phrase play?

• Adverb

• Subject

• Adjective

• Direct object

Which of the following sentences contains an infinitive phrase acting as a direct object?

• To sleep under the stars is a dream.

• To be or not to be, that is the question.

• She wants to travel the world.

• To run is fun.

Which of the following is an example of an infinitive phrase?

• To run quickly

• Running quickly

• Quickly running

• Run quickly

What is the role of the infinitive phrase in 'Kelly wants to go to the beach with us on Saturday'?

• Direct object

• Subject

• Adverb

• Adjective

What is the role of the infinitive phrase in 'To finish early is Kerry's plan'?

• Adjective

• Adverb

• Direct object

• Subject

What does the infinitive phrase 'to win the game' modify in the sentence 'The team's desire to win the game was evident'?

• The adjective 'evident'

• The noun 'team'

• The noun 'desire'

• The verb 'was'

In the sentence 'Sheldon was unable to play in the football game,' what does the infinitive phrase modify?

• The noun 'game'

• The adjective 'unable'

• The verb 'was'

• The noun 'Sheldon'

What is a split infinitive?

• An infinitive used as a noun

• An infinitive without modifiers

• An infinitive with a subject

• An infinitive with words between 'to' and the base form

Why should split infinitives generally be avoided in formal writing?

• They are informal

• They are too complex

• They can make sentences unclear

• They are grammatically incorrect