The Power of the Adverbial Infinitive

Table of Content

Introduction

In the realm of English grammar, the infinitive form of a verb (the base form preceded by "to") often takes on various roles. While you might be familiar with infinitives as nouns or adjectives, they can also function as adverbs, modifying verbs, adjectives, or even entire clauses. This is where the adverbial infinitive comes into play. Understanding and mastering the adverbial infinitive is crucial for enhancing your writing fluency and comprehending complex sentence structures. This article will delve deep into the world of adverbial infinitives, exploring their functions, types, and how to use them effectively.

Understanding the Adverbial Infinitive

Definition and Function

An adverbial infinitive is an infinitive phrase that acts as an adverb in a sentence. Like adverbs, they provide additional information about the verb, adjective, or clause they modify. They answer questions like why?, how?, when?, or with what result?

Consider the sentence: She went to the store to buy groceries.

In this sentence, the infinitive phrase "to buy groceries" modifies the verb "went." It tells us the purpose of her going to the store.

Key Characteristics

• Starts with "to": Typically, adverbial infinitives begin with the preposition "to" followed by the base form of the verb.
• Acts as an Adverb: It functions grammatically like an adverb, providing more detail about another element in the sentence.
• Answers Adverbial Questions: It often answers questions related to purpose, reason, result, manner, or condition.

Types of Adverbial Infinitives

Adverbial infinitives can express various meanings, including:

Infinitive of Purpose

This is the most common type of adverbial infinitive. It explains the reason or intention behind an action. It often answers the question "why?".

• He studied diligently to pass the exam. (Why did he study diligently? To pass the exam.)
• They traveled to Italy to see the Colosseum. (Why did they travel to Italy? To see the Colosseum.)
• She raised her hand to ask a question. (Why did she raise her hand? To ask a question.)

Infinitive of Reason or Cause

This type of infinitive explains the cause or reason for a particular feeling or action.

• I was surprised to hear the news. (Why were you surprised? To hear the news.)
• She was happy to receive such a thoughtful gift. (Why was she happy? To receive such a thoughtful gift.)
• He was relieved to find his lost keys. (Why was he relieved? To find his lost keys.)

Infinitive of Result or Consequence

This infinitive describes the outcome or result of an action. It often follows words like "too" or "enough."

• The coffee was too hot to drink. (What was the result of the coffee being too hot? It was undrinkable.)
• He ran so fast as to win the race. (What was the result of him running so fast? He won the race.)
• She spoke clearly enough to be understood by everyone. (What was the result of her speaking clearly? Everyone understood her.)

Infinitive of Manner

This type of infinitive describes how an action is performed. It is less common than other types.

• He was foolish enough to believe their lies. (How foolish was he? Foolish enough to believe their lies.)
• She was kind enough to help them with their work. (How kind was she? Kind enough to help them with their work.)

Infinitive of Condition (Less Common)

In some cases, an infinitive phrase can express a condition. This is often seen with the phrase "to think."

• To hear him talk, you'd think he was an expert. (Under what condition would you think he was an expert? If you heard him talk.)

How to Identify Adverbial Infinitives

To identify an adverbial infinitive, ask yourself: Does the infinitive phrase answer a question about the verb, adjective, or clause, such as why?, how?, or with what result? If the answer is yes, then it is likely an adverbial infinitive.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing with Infinitives as Nouns or Adjectives: Remember that adverbial infinitives modify verbs, adjectives, or clauses, while infinitives as nouns act as subjects or objects, and infinitives as adjectives modify nouns.
• Incorrect Placement: While generally flexible, the placement of adverbial infinitives can sometimes affect clarity. Ensure the infinitive phrase is positioned logically to clearly modify the intended element.

The Importance of Mastering Adverbial Infinitives

Understanding and using adverbial infinitives will significantly enhance your English language skills. It allows you to:

• Express ideas more concisely: Instead of using clauses with conjunctions like "because" or "so that," you can use shorter infinitive phrases.
• Add depth and nuance to your writing: Adverbial infinitives enable you to convey purpose, reason, and result in a more sophisticated way.
• Improve comprehension of complex sentences: Recognizing adverbial infinitives helps you understand the relationships between different parts of a sentence.

Sample Questions, Answers, and Explanations:

Here are some varied question types about adverbial infinitives:

1. Multiple Choice:

Which of the following sentences contains an adverbial infinitive of purpose?

a) She was happy to receive the award. b) He studied hard to pass the exam. c) The book was interesting to read. d) To err is human.

Answer: b) He studied hard to pass the exam.

Explanation: The infinitive phrase "to pass the exam" explains the purpose of his studying.

2. Fill-in-the-Blank:

They went to the library _______ (study).

Answer: to study

Explanation: The infinitive "to study" explains the reason why they went to the library.

3. Sentence Completion:

She shouted loudly ______ everyone's attention.

Answer: to attract

Explanation: The infinitive phrase "to attract everyone's attention" explains the purpose of her shouting.

4. Identify the Error:

Find the error in the following sentence: To winning the race was his only goal.

Answer: "To winning" should be "To win".

Explanation: After the verb "to be," we typically use the base form of the verb in an infinitive phrase.

5. Rewrite the Sentence:

Rewrite the following sentence using an adverbial infinitive: He left early because he wanted to catch the train.

Answer: He left early to catch the train.

Explanation: The adverbial infinitive phrase "to catch the train" expresses the reason for his early departure.

6. True or False:

An adverbial infinitive can express the result of an action.

Answer: True

Explanation: Adverbial infinitives can indicate the consequence or outcome of an action, such as in the sentence: He ran so fast as to break the world record.

7. Short Answer:

What is the function of the adverbial infinitive in the sentence: The water was too cold to swim in.

Answer: The adverbial infinitive "to swim in" expresses the result or consequence of the water being too cold.

Conclusion

The adverbial infinitive is a powerful grammatical tool that adds flexibility and precision to the English language. By understanding its various functions and types, you can elevate your writing and speaking skills, expressing your thoughts and ideas with greater clarity and sophistication. So, embrace the power of the adverbial infinitive and unlock new levels of fluency in your English journey!