Last Tuesday, actually yesterday, I taught my first lesson to my 8th graders at Lescher. It went
extremely well, and they seemed to like it (especially the candy at the end- this always works) So here is the copy of what I taught and the worksheet I designed for them.
This is the overhead:
Infinitives & Infinitive Phrases
What is a PHRASE?
Phrase- __________________________________________________________________
Types of Phrases:
Prepositional
Appositive
Verbal
Participial
Gerund &
Infinitive!!
Preposition- ______________________________________________________________
Prepositional Phrase- _______________________________________________________
New Notes:
***An infinitive is a verb form that may function as a noun.
It is formed from the word TO and the base form of a verb:
TO + base form of verb = an infinitive
It can either be the subject of a sentence:
Ex: To read can be beneficial
Or the direct object of an action verb:
Ex: Babies first learn to babble.
***An infinitive phrase= an infinitive + complements/modifiers
Ex: The bears prepared to eat nuts and berries
Ex: Marsha has chosen to eat all of her grandma’s chocolate chip cookies
Sally is always looking for a chance to swim. Infinitive
She goes to the pool at least once a day. Preposition
The difference is that ‘to’ is not considered a preposition when it is used right before a verb.
Infinitive Preposition
To read To the tree
To dance To his house
So… I’m sure you’re dying to know now how Infinitives function in the sentence…
Answer: as either the Subject or the Direct Object of an action verb
Find the action verb in the sentence:
My Aunt Sheryl loves to make muffins. Direct Object
To sing is relaxing. Subject
Groups for writing a sample paragraph:
Group 1- topic: scuba diving
Group 2- topic: CSAPs
Group 3- topic: weekend activities
Group 4- topic: Halloween
Group 5- topic: English class
Group 6- topic: the internet
Questions for the game at the end:
1) Which of these is a infinitive?
Ran to the tree had to choose skipped to the end
2) Define what a phrase is:
3) What is the formula for an infinitive?
4) What is the formula for a prepositional phrase?
5) An infinitive always includes what word?
6) How can you tell the difference between a preposition and an infinitive?
7) What is the infinitive in this sentence?
a. Everyone would like to get some candy.
8) Is the infinitive in this sentence a DO or a S?
a. My uncle Jerry loves to hit golf balls.
9) Name two kinds of phrases:
10) T or F this sentence has an infinitive phrase:
a. The squirrel ran to the tree.
This is the worksheet to accompany the lecture:
Practice with Infinitives
Name ____________________________
Section I
Directions: Circle the infinitive and underline the infinite phrase:
Ex: Let’s get together to fix the old tree house
1. My sister is teaching me to whistle.
2. Do you like to eat sushi?
3. I’m lucky to go to such a good school.
4. To ignore a red light is not a very good idea.
5. I’m lucky to know how to cook food so important to my mother’s heritage.
Section II
Directions: Circle the infinitive phrase, write DO if it acts as the direct object and S if it acts as the subject of the sentence:
1. Please don’t forget to feed the dog while I’m gone. ________
2. She hadn’t even learned how to play jacks. ________
3. What do you want to do this weekend? _______
4. To point at people is not polite. _______
Section III
Directions: Combine the following sentences with an infinitive phrase:
Sally touched the statue. She wanted to see if it was real.
My dad re-set the clocks last night. That was to make sure I would get up in time.
We boiled our drinking water. This killed the bacteria.
