What is Infinitive Phrase: Definition, Examples, Functions

Have you ever come across phrases like “to play the guitar” or “to read more books” and wondered what they really are in grammar? These are called infinitive phrases, and they are more common—and more useful—than you might think!

In simple terms, an infinitive phrase begins with “to” + the base form of a verb (like to eat, to run, to study) and may include other words like objects or modifiers. These phrases are powerful tools in writing and speaking because they can act like nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a sentence. Understanding infinitive phrases can make your writing smoother and more natural.

In this post, we’ll explain what an infinitive phrase is and how to use it, and we will give you lots of easy examples and practice sentences so you can master it with confidence.

What is an Infinitive Phrase?

An infinitive phrase is a group of words that begins with the infinitive form of a verb—that is, “to” + base verb—and may include additional elements such as objects, modifiers, or complements. These extra words add more detail or complete the meaning of the verb.

An infinitive, like a gerund, comes from a verb, but it doesn’t act like a verb in a sentence. Instead, it works like a noun, adjective, or adverb. An infinitive is usually made by adding “to” in front of the base form of a verb—for example, to read, to play, or to learn.

Sometimes, the infinitive appears without “to”—this is called a bare infinitive, and it often happens after modal verbs like can, should, or must (e.g., She can swim, not She can to swim).

Once you understand what an infinitive is, it becomes easy to see how an infinitive phrase is formed—just take an infinitive and add extra words that complete its meaning.

Structure: Infinitive Phrase = to + base verb + related words (objects, modifiers, or complements)

These phrases function as a single grammatical unit in a sentence. Depending on the context, an infinitive phrase can act as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

Examples of Infinitive Phrases

Exampels	Infinitive phrase	Function
To win the game was her dream.	To win the game	Acts as a noun (subject of the sentence)
To read more books every month is my New Year goal.	To read more books every month	Acts as a noun (subject of the sentence)
She has a plan to start a small business.	to start a small business	Acts as an adjective (modifies the noun “plan”)
He studied hard to pass the exam.	to pass the exam	Acts as an adverb (explains why he studied hard)

Also Read: Infinitive Verbs Worksheet with Answers

Function of Infinitive Phrase in Sentences 

Let’s break down how infinitive phrases function in sentences:

1. Infinitive Phrase As a Noun

Used as the subject or object of a sentence.

• To travel the world is my dream. (Subject)
• She loves to paint in silence. (Object)

2. Infinitive Phrase as an Adjective

Describes a noun.

• He has a book to read before class. (Describe a book – what kind of book?)

3.  Infinitive Phrase as an Adverb

Describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

• She studies hard to succeed in exams. (Explains why she studies hard) 

Some Easy Infinite Phrase Sentences With Their Uses 

Here are more examples to help you recognise them:

Examples	Infinite Phrases	Functions
I want to learn guitar.	to learn guitar	Noun (object)
To become a doctor takes years	to become a doctor	Noun (subject)
He gave me a book to read.	to read	Adjective
We exercised to stay healthy.	to stay healthy	Adverb

Infinitive Phrases as Adjectives 

Sometimes, an infinitive phrase works just like an adjective, meaning it gives more information about a noun in the sentence.

To identify the infinitive Phrases as Adjectives, you ned to look for a noun (person, place, or thing), then check if there’s a “to + verb” phrase that tells you more about it. That phrase is working like an adjective.

 Examples:

1. The staircase to go to the cafe was closed.

 “To go to the cafe” tells us more about which staircase. So it acts like an adjective.

2. Jerry wished he had someone to keep him company.

“To keep him company” tells us more about someone.

3. Anju and I decided to bring some snacks to eat on the train.

“To eat on the train” gives us more info about snacks.

 Infinitive Phrases as Adverbs (Made Simple)

Other times, an infinitive phrase answers questions like why, how, or when, which means it’s acting like an adverb.

Examples:

1. To participate in the competition, I have to audition.

Why do I have to audition? To participate in the competition. That’s your adverb phrase.

2. Nitasha knew she had to study the whole night to score good marks.

Why did she study? To score good marks.

3. Ranjini left home early to pick up her son from school.

Why did she leave early? To pick up her son from school.

Also Read: Difference Between Gerund, Infinitive and Participle

Infinitive Phrases vs Prepositional Phrases

An infinitive phrase begins with “to” + base verb and includes any modifiers, objects, or complements. It functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

Or 

A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition (like in, on, at, by, for, with, etc.) and ends with a noun or pronoun, called the object of the preposition. It functions as an adjective or adverb.

Features	Infinitive Phrase	Prepositional Phrase
Begin with	“to” + base verb	Preposition (in, at, by, for, etc.)
Includes	Verb, plus objects/modifiers	Noun/pronoun, plus modifiers
Functions as	Noun, Adjective, or Adverb	Adjective or Adverb
Example	To become a doctor takes dedication.	The letter is on the table.
“To” used as	Part of a verb (e.g., to run)	Preposition (e.g., to the store)

Infinitive Phrase Exercise With Answers

In this section, we have some questions to test your understanding of infinitive phrases. Start solving!!

Exercise: Pick the infinitive phrase in each sentence:

1. She hopes to join the debate team.
2. We decided to leave early to avoid traffic.
3. His goal is to win a scholarship.
4. They want to travel across Europe next summer.
5. I need to finish my homework before dinner.
6. The team worked hard to win the championship.
7. He promised to call me after the meeting.
8. She plans to study medicine at university.
9. We are trying to fix the computer.
10. To become a good writer requires patience.
11. The teacher gave us a book to read over the weekend.
12. Her dream is to start a business.
13. He forgot to lock the door last night.
14. She was excited to meet her favorite author.
15. He made a promise to help his friend move.
    

Answers:

1. to join the debate team
2. to leave early
3. to win a scholarship
4. to travel across Europe
5. to finish my homework
6. to win the championship
7. to call me
8. to study medicine
9. to fix the computer
10. To become a good writer
11. to read over the weekend
12. to start a business
13. to lock the door
14. to meet her favorite author
15. to help his friend move

Also Read: Gerund, Infinitive and Participle Worksheet: Master Verbals

FAQs 

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