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._
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=LESSON XXXIX.=