Infinitive Phrases Rule!

JavaScript isn't enabled in your browser, so this file can't be opened. Enable and reload.

Infinitive phrases allow your sentences to be more complex. Strong writers use them often to answer three questions:

1) Why? examples: I run < to get exercise >. or < To get exercise, > I run.
2) What? examples: I want < to run today >. or Today I want < to run >.
2) What kind? example: I had a plan <to finish the race>.

All infinitives begin with "to" and finish with a verb. Examples: "to hide," "to catch," "to photocopy."

Infinitive phrases must begin with an infinitive and include more words to add more detail.
Examples: "to hide in the darkest corner of the basement," and "to catch a thief," "to photocopy before class."

Refer to the colorful chart below for additional information.

Your Last Name, First Name *

English Class Color *

Fill in the blank below with a creative infinitive phrase answering the question "why?" *

Saying something basic like "I ran to the store TO SHOP." works, but we can do better. Add an infinitive phrase (perhaps 5-9 words long) and tell us why YOU ran. "I ran to the store (or somewhere else) _____________________________________. "

Fill in the blank below with a creative infinitive phrase answering the question, "What?" *

Using an infinitive to answer "What?" is as easy as using it in place of a noun in a sentence with linking verbs (like "like," "want," "need," and sometimes forms of "to be" -- "is," "are," etc.). Just like the item above, use an infinitive phrase (try to make it 5-9 words long) to fill in the blank in this sentence: "I want ____________________."

Change the infinitive phrase below into something more interesting and exciting, answering the question "what kind?" *

Saying "I have a dream TO STUFF away in a bottom drawer." is rather sad. Make your dream brighter, bigger, better. In the blank, start with "I have a dream..." and then add a more descriptive, uplifting infinitive phrase. Tell us what kind of dream you have, using an infinitive phrase.

Write three of your own sentences, using infinitive phrases in each of the three ways listed above. *

(You can write three sentences that share the same topic, theme, or characters.)

Information about Infinitives and Infinitive Phrases

Here is a list of infinitives. There are thousands more. If you put "to" in front of any verb, you have made it an infinitive.

Submit

Clear form

Never submit passwords through Google Forms.

This content is neither created nor endorsed by Google. - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy

Does this form look suspicious? Report

Forms