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The functions of the infinitive - Coggle Diagram
The functions of the infinitive
subject, often introduced by the anticipatory it: e.g. To do it under the present circumstances would be unwise. It's a surprise to be invited.
part of the nominal or verbal predicate
the infinitive used after a link verb is a predictive e.g. Her first impulse was to scream.
after a phasal verb (a verb denoting the beginning, duration or end of the action), a modal verb and the expressions had better, would rather is part of a compound verbal predicate.
e.g. The whole building suddenly began to shake. Passengers should check in at the airport thirty minutes before take-off. We'd better stop for petrol soon.
after a link verb and an adjective, it is a secondary predictive: English is difficult to learn well. Do you think this water is safe to drink?
The infinitive is used as an object to verbs expressing:
order, request, permission, etc. such as to order, bid, beg, ask, implore, promise, allow, permit, help, assist, persuade, advise: e.g. The policeman demanded to see my driving licence.
to some adjectives and adjectivized participles: happy, glad, pleased, delighted, sorry, afraid, angry, astonished: e.g. I was surprised to hear that Diana had got a new job.
mental perception and emotions, such as to forget, remember, learn, prefer, love, like, hate, bear (can't bear): e.g. We all love to talk about ourselves. I can't bear to see people suffering
The infinitive used as an attribute immediately follows its head-noun. e.g. Do you get much chance to travel in your job?
The infinitive mainly serves as an attribute
to nouns and indefinite pronouns: Have you got much work to do? Would you like something to eat?
to the pronouns much, little and their equivalents a lot, plenty, etc. There was a lot to do.
The infinitive can be used as an adverbial modifier of:
purpose: I'm saving money to go to Canada
Some verbs, e.g. to bring, buy, need, take, use, want, often introduce an object + an infinitive. The infinitive tells us about the purpose of the object: Bring me a chair to sit on.
condition:I'll thank you to leave me alone.
result: He's strong enough to lift it.
The use of the infinitive of result mostly depends on the adverbs too, enough, so as: I'm too tired to stay up longer. You should be man enough to control yourself. I'm not so stupid as to put it in writing.
comparison: She gave me no time to consider her question. She was more inclined to assert than to question.
subsequent events: The infinitive describes an event which is unexpected, sometimes unwelcome. e.g. She opened her eyes to see the house on fire. I turned round to find a man pointing a knife at me.
exception: They do nothing but complain whenever we see them.