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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Infinitive clause

what is an infinitive clause (phrase)
  

Top answer

It's a clause or phrase with the verb in the infinitive. To be the one to find the missing child would be wonderful. To give all one has on the field of play is to be a true sportsman.

— Sam1947

  • It's a clause or phrase with the verb in the infinitive.
  • To be the one to find the missing child would be wonderful.
  • To give all one has on the field of play is to be a true sportsman.
  • It would be unusual for him to go home this early in the afternoon.
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14 Answers
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It's a clause or phrase with the verb in the infinitive.

To be the one to find the missing child would be wonderful.

To give all one has on the field of play is to be a true sportsman.

It would be unusual for him to go home this early in the afternoon.
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Anonymouswhat is an infinitive clause (phrase)
Any group of words is a phrase. (Some people say they should carry some meaning.)

Phrases beginning with non-finite verbals can function in many ways.
"to go swimming" is a favorite infinitive phrase.

When you ask alternatively about an "infinitive clause," you may be entering a grey
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AvangiI understand there are many new English grammars which speak of infinitive clauses.
Personally, I'd call them "phrases."[

Do try to keep up, A!
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BillJHope you got all that
Hi, Bill.
I did manage to count two infinitives, but had assumed Sam was referring to the first of them.
BillJ redefined as 'non-finite clauses' (not without good reason either)
I'll file that under "famous last words" - probably mine. - A.

Edit.
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I did, indeed, mean the first one. I should have written a less complex example.

Try: To swim the English Channel is my greatest ambition.

(Sometimes I just enjoy writing colorful sentences and get carried away!)
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sam1947(Sometimes I just enjoy writing colorful sentences and get carried away!)
That's cool.
But you didn't give me much help by leaving "phrase/clause" as "phrase/clause."
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I'm sorry, Avangi. I should not have assumed you knew the difference between a phrase and a clause, and used that because there could be an infinitive phrase or an infinitive clause.

A phrase is just a group of words. A clause has a subject and verb, but may or may not be a complete sentence.

To be a pianist (an infinitive phrase)

For Hank to speak clearly (infiniti
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I still must be missing what it is that you don't understand. Can you try to explain it to me? I'm happy to help, but I'm at a loss as to what hasn't already been covered.
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BillJDo try to keep up, A! Emotion: smile It's been twenty years or so since phrases with non-finite verbs as head were
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