Grammar - Infinitive

The Infinitive

*Read the sentences

1.      They always find fault with me.

the verb find has they for its subject, hence the verb find is limited by person and number. We, therefore, call it a Finite Verb.

[It will be noticed that all verbs in the Indicative, Subjunctive, and Imperative Moods are Finite, because they are limited by the person and number of their subject].

2.      They always to find fault with me.

to find merely names the action denoted by the verb find, and is used without mentioning any subject. It is, therefore, not limited by person and number as a verb that has a subject, and is, therefore, called the Verb Infinite, or simply the Infinitive.

*Read the following sentences

1.      To err is human.

the Infinitive, like a noun, is the Subject of the verb is.

2.      Birds love to sing.

the Infinitive, like a noun, is the Object of the verb love.

3.      To respect our parents is our duty.

the Infinitive, like a noun, is the Subject of the verb is, but like a verb, it also takes an Object.

4.      He refused to obey the orders.

the Infinitive, like a noun, is the Object of the verb refused, but like a noun, it also takes an Object.

5.      Many men desire to make money quickly.

the Infinitive, like a noun, is the Object of the verb desire, but like a verb, it also takes an Object and is modified by an Adverb.

It will be seen that the Infinitive is a kind of noun with certain features of the verb, especially that of taking an object (when the verb is Transitive) and adverbial qualifiers. In short, the Infinitive is a Verb-Noun).

Uses of the Infinitive

The Infinitive, with or without adjuncts, may be used, like a Noun.

1.      As the Subject of a Verb

·         To find fault is easy.

·         To err is human.

·         To reign is worth ambition.

·         To climb Mount Everest is very difficult

·         To waste your money is foolish

·         To sit in the sun on a cold day is pleasant

·         To see dinosaur is impossible

·         To hear the sound of the sea is delightful

·         To learn is very important

·         To dance is my little girl’s dream

2.      As the Object of a transitive Verb

·         I do not mean to read.

·         He likes to play cards.

3.      As the Complement of a Verb

·         Her greatest pleasure is to sing.

·         His custom is to ride daily.

4.      As the Object of a Preposition

·         He had no choice but (except) to obey.

·         The speaker is about to begin.

5.      As an Objective Complement

·         I saw him go.

Exercise

Combine together the following pairs of sentences by using Infinitives.

a.       Napoleon was one of the greatest of generals. He is universally acknowledged.

Napoleon is universally acknowledged to have been one of the greatest of generals.

[Note]: It will be noticed that we have turned one of the sentences into a phrase containing an infinitive.

1.      He had not even a ten-paisa bit with him. He could buy a loaf of bread.

·         He had not even a ten-paisa bit with him to buy a loaf of bread.

2.      Every cricket team has a captain. He directs the other players.

·         Every cricket team has a captain to directs the other players.

3.      You must part with your purse. On this condition only you can save your life.

·         You must part with your purse to save your life.

4.      His father went to Ajmer yesterday. His object was to visit the shrine of the saint Khwaja Pir.

·         His father went to Ajmer yesterday to visit the shrine of the saint Khwaja Pir.

5.      The Pathan took out a knife. He intended to frighten the old Marwari.

·         The Pathan took out a knife to frighten the old Marwari.

6.      I speak the truth. I am not afraid of it.

·         I am not afraid to speak the truth.

7.      He wants to earn his livelihood. He works hard for that reason.

·         He works hard to earn his livelihood.

8.      The strikers held a meeting. They wished to discuss the terms of the employers.

·         The strikers held a meeting to discuss the terms of the employers.

9.      He has five children. He must provide for them.

·         He must provide for his five children.

10.  The old man has now little energy left. He cannot take his morning constitutional exercises.

·         The old man has now little energy left to take his morning constitutional exercises.

11.  He formed a resolution. It was to the effect that he would not speculate any more.

·         He would not speculate any more to formed a resolution.

12.  Everyone should do his duty. England expects this of every man.

·          

13.  He collects old stamps even at great expense. This is his hobby.

·         This is his hobby to collects old stamps even at great expense.

14.  I have no aptitude for business. I must speak it out frankly.

·         I have no aptitude for business to speak it out frankly.





Source: High School English Grammar and Composition By Wren & Martin (latest edition)