| Lesson 40 (pp. 7376) | The infinitive phrase may be used as an adjective modifier or an adverb modifier. | |||||||
| 1. | The hot-house is a trap to catch sunbeams. |
![]() Analysis. To indtroduces the phrase; catch is the principal word, and sunbeams completes it. |
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| Exercises (Lesson 40: Verbs as nouns infinitives) Diagram the following: | ||||||||
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| 4. | We will strive to please you. |
![]() Explanation. The infinitive phrase is here used adverbially to modify the predicate. |
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| 6. | These harmless delusions tend to make us happy. |
![]() Explanation. Happy completes make and relates to us. |
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| 7. | Wounds made by words are hard to heal. |
![]() Explanation. The infinitive phrase is here used adverbially to modify the adjective hard. To heal = to be healed. |
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| 9. | These apples are not ripe enough to eat. |
![]() Explanation. The infinitive phrase is here used adverbially to modify the adverb enough. To eat = to be eaten. | ||||||
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| The infinitive phrase may be used as subject or complement. | ||||||||
| 10. | To be good is to be great. |
![]() Explanation. To, in each of these phrases, shows no relation it serves merely to introduce. The complements good and great are adjectives used abstractly, having no noun to relate to. |
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| 14. | He seemed to be innocent. |
![]() Explanation. The infinitive phrase here performs the office of an adjective. To be innocent = innocent. | ||||||
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| 16. | We should learn to govern ourselves. |
![]() Explanation. The infinitive phrase is here used as an object complement. | ||||||
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