What is a subject complement infinitive?
Infinitive as Subject Compliment The infinitive can also act as a subject complement. A subject complement is a word or phrase that says something about the subject. Subject complements are common after the linking word ‘be’. The most important thing is to remain optimistic.
How do you use an infinitive as a subject complement?
An infinitive clause can be used as subject complement after be and other copular verbs.
- His goal was to become a well known writer.
- Your duty is to finish the work in time.
What is an example of an infinitive phrase?
Infinitive phrases include infinitives. Examples include, “to walk,” “to read,” or “to eat.” Infinitives can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. As a noun, they might act as the subject of the sentence. For example, “To travel is the only thing on her mind.” As an adjective, they’ll modify a noun.
What is the subject of an infinitive?
When an infinitive or an infinitive phrase follows certain verbs, the action of the infinitive may be done by a different person or thing than the subject of the sentence. This doer of the infinitive’s action follows the verb and comes before the infinitive. This is known as the subject of the infinitive.
What is meant by subject complement?
In grammar, a subject complement or predicative of the subject is a predicative expression that follows a linking verb (copula) and that complements the subject of the sentence by either (1) renaming it or (2) describing it. It completes the meaning of the subject.
What is infinitive and infinitive phrase?
Definition: An infinitive is a verb that has not been conjugated (changed to show person or tense). In English, infinitives generally use to with the base (present) form of the verb. An infinitive phrase is made up of the infinitive verb with its object and modifiers.
Can an infinitive phrase be an object complement?
An infinitive or infinitive phrase acts as an object complement by describing the intended or desired action of the direct object. For example: “I don’t expect you to approve of my decision.” “She’s forcing me to work through the weekend.”
Can an infinitive be a subject?
The term verbal indicates that an infinitive, like the other two kinds of verbals, is based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being. However, the infinitive may function as a subject, direct object, subject complement, adjective, or adverb in a sentence.
How do you write an infinitive phrase?
Writing Tips:
- An infinitive phrase uses an infinitive plus a modifier, object, complement or actor. There can be more than one of these and they may not all be present in the phrase.
- Infinitive phrases only require a comma when used as an adverb at the beginning of the sentence.
Can we use infinitive as a subject?
What is infinitive complement?
A “complementary infinitive” is an infinitive used with a verb whose meaning is not felt to be complete: “you ought” or “they dare” by themselves are not specific about either your duty or their daring.
When do you use subject complement in a sentence?
Top Tip! A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and identifies or describes the subject. (Note: A linking verb is a verb used to link a subject to a new identity or description.
What is the subject complement of a linking verb?
A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb and identifies or describes the subject. (Note: A linking verb is a verb used to link a subject to a new identity or description.
Which is the actor of the infinitive phrase?
Actors: In these last two examples the actor of the infinitive phrase could be roughly characterized as the “subject” of the action or state expressed in the infinitive. It is somewhat misleading to use the word subject, however, since an infinitive phrase is not a full clause with a subject and a finite verb.
When do you use an infinitive in a sentence?
Points to remember. An infinitive is a verbal consisting of the word to plus a verb; it may be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb. An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive plus modifier(s), object(s), complement(s), and/or actor(s). An infinitive phrase requires a comma only if it is used as an adverb at the beginning of a sentence.