Activity 1: Main Verbs and Infinitives Identify the subject of each sentence and its main verb, as well as any infinitives that may be present.
Underline the subject and main verb, then highlight and label infinitive forms: bare, split, perfect, continuous, perfect continuous, and passive.
Example: “The quick, brown fox jumped to abruptly overtake the lazy dog.” subject + main verb split infinitive
1. Although the workers fought to be granted better conditions, their employers decided to drastically cut their pay.
2. Rumors of your legendary moves seem to have been circulating about the dance floor.
3. That gambler must have met Lady Luck herself to have beaten those odds.
4. A mother watches her children grow up and venture out into the world.
5. The effects of sleep deprivation appeared to be catching up to him.
Activity 2: Infinitive Functions Label each infinitive phrase by function: subject, direct object, complement, adjective, or adverb.
Example: “The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.” adjective subject complement
1. To keep rhythm is to dismiss one’s constant hesitation.
2. We welcome you to return to the Writing Center to continue to improve your writing skills.
3. The library is the best place to find authentic academic sources to use in an essay.
4. If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.
5. To yearn to acquire knowledge is to understand that you must use your skills to reinvent yourself as a role model to inspire future generations.
Answer Key for Activity 1
1. Their employers decided [subject+main verb]; to be granted [passive infinitive]; to drastically cut [split infinitive]
2. Rumors seem [subject+main verb]; to have been circulating [perfect continuous infinitive]
3. That gambler must have met [subject+main verb (bare perfect infinitive)]; to have beaten [perfect infinitive]
4. A mother watches [subject+main verb]; grow [bare infinitive]; venture [bare infinitive]
5. The effects appeared [subject+main verb]; to be catching [continuous infinitive]
Answer Key for Activity 2
1. to keep rhythm [subject]; to dismiss one’s constant hesitation [subject complement]
2. to return to the Writing Center [adverb]; to continue [adverb]; to improve [adverb]
3. to find sources [adjective]; to use in your paper [adjective]
4. to make an apple pie [direct object]
5. to yearn [subject]; to acquire knowledge [object]; to understand [complement]; to reinvent yourself [adverb]; to inspire future generations [adjective]