Infinitive Phrases

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Infinitive phrases are one of the three verbals. That is, a verb that functions as another part of speech. We have already coveredGuests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links., which are verbs acting as adjectives andGuests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links., which are verbs acting as nouns. Infinitive phrases can function, depending on the context, as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns.
The infinitive phrase, like all verbals, retains a verb traits and can, therefore, have a complement. In other words, the infinitive phrase can contain a direct object, or a predicate noun, or a predicate adjective.

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Recognizing infinitive phrases Infinitive phrases are always formed by the word to followed immediately by a verb. Examplesto laugh (intransitive complete)
to die (intransitive complete)
to run a race (Race is a direct object so the phrase is transitive active.)
to be a teacher (Teacher is a predicate noun. This is intransitive linking.)
to be wealthy (Wealthy is a predicate adjective--intransitive linking)
to be ruined (transitive passive)

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Infinitive phrases as adjectivesA good play to read is The Skin of Our Teeth.
To read modifies play.
John willingly pays more money at the best places to eat good steaks.
This phrase modifies places. Note that steaks is the direct object of to eat.
The man to see about this is the president of the company.
This phrase modifies man.

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Infinitive phrases as adverbsElvis ran to catch the train.
The phrase to catch the train modifies the verb ran.
Mary agreed to take a pay cut.
The phrase modifies the verb agreed.
The driver swerved to avoid the collision.
The phrase modifies the verb swerved.

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Infinitives as nounsTo fly an airplane upside down can be very dangerous.
This infinitive phrase is the subject of the sentence.
To see is to believe.
Here we have two infinitive phrases. The first, to see, is the subject of the sentence. The second, to believe, is the predicate noun in the sentence.
I want to enjoy myself tonight.
The phrase is the direct object of the verb want.
Infinitive phrases as objects of prepositions are not used. They are clumsy and misleading because to can be a preposition. Consider the following example:
I need money for to buy a new car.
It does not sound right, does it?

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There are the models of infinitive phrases. Experiment with them. Play games with them. For example, can you create a sentence that contains an infinitive phrase as noun, an infinitive phrase as an adverb, and an infinitive phrase as an adjective?