Phrases: Infinitive

The infinitive phrase includes the infinitive and the object of the infinitive or any modifiers related to the infinitive.

[In the following examples, the infinitive is bold and the infinitive phrase is underlined.]

• Even in New York, fans did not manage to buy the hype.

TO BUY is the direct object of the verb DID MANAGE. THE HYPE is the object of the infinitive.

• The seemingly simple decision to appoint a Democrat caused controversy.

TO APPOINT is an adjective modifying DECISION. A DEMOCRAT is the object of the infinitive.

• The gap provides a way to give Democratic candidates an edge in close elections

TO GIVE is an adjective modifying WAY. The object of the infinitive is CANDIDATES.

• The respondents believe their neighbors are willing to vote for a woman.

TO VOTE is an adverb modifying the predicate adjective WILLING.

• Two nonprofit organizations from opposite sides of the political spectrum plan to release a report blasting 25 Army Corps of Engineers water projects.

TO RELEASE is the direct object of the verb PLAN. REPORT is the object of the infinitive. FYI: BLASTING is a participle modifying REPORT.

• The corps has been trying to recast itself in a more ecosensitive light.

TO RECAST is the direct object of the verb HAS BEEN TRYING. ITSELF ( a reflexive pronoun) is the object of the infinitive.

• Now Congress has to decide whether it wants to continue to be part of the problem, or if it wants to be part of the solution.

TO CONTINUE is the direct object of the verb WANTS. TO BE the object of the infinitive TO CONTINUE. PART is the object of the infinitive TO BE.

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