LESSON XXXVIII.
The preceding lesson treated of verbs that are limited by their subjects as to number and person; as, I am here. John is here. The boys are here. Hence these verbs are called finite verbs.
This lesson will treat of verbs that are not so limited; hence they are called infinitive verbs.
THE INFINITIVE.
Select from the following sentences forms of verbs that are used (1) as a noun, (2) as an adverb, and (3) as an adjective:—
| 1. | I like to sing. | |
| 2. | I came to see the ship. | |
| 3. | Have you any water to drink? |
The form of the verb that does not make an assertion, and that is not limited as to person and number is called the infinitive.
The infinitive may be used as a noun; as, To forgive is divine.
The infinitive may be used as an adverb; as, I came to call you back.
The infinitive may be used as an adjective; as, He has no pen to write with.
The infinitive may be used as the complement of verbs of incomplete predication; as, He appeared to hesitate.
There are two infinitives, the simple infinitive with or without to, and the infinitive in ing; as, I like to row a boat. He may go. She is fond of writing letters.
The infinitive in ing is sometimes called a gerund.
The infinitive has a variety of uses. Its grammatical value in English is always determined by its function in the sentence.
Name the infinitives in the following sentences, tell the grammatical value of each, and state the reason:—
| 1. | To read well is an accomplishment. | |
| 2. | I am glad to hear it. | |
| 3. | This man has a house to rent. | |
| 4. | There is little hope of finding him. | |
| 5. | To hesitate is to fail. | |
| 6. | She was about to leave. | |
| 7. | Poverty is hard to bear. | |
| 8. | When the rain ceased to fall, the wind began to blow. | |
| 9. | I prefer to starve first. | |
| 10. | There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray, | |
| To bless the turf that wraps their clay; | ||
| And Freedom shall a while repair, | ||
| To dwell a weeping hermit there.—Collins. |