the infinitive is followed usually by the present form of the verb; as, Mary has gone to the store to buy a dress. "To" is a preposition having for its object the noun "store." Therefore, "to the store" is a prepositional phrase. "Buy" is the present form of the verb, used with the sign "to." Therefore, "to buy" is an infinitive. Divide the following groups of words from sentences into two lists. Into the first list, put the prepositional phrases (13); into the second, the infinitive phrases (32). to the dog to know to write to take to cross to the yard to obtain to hurt to give to drink to save to the boy to go to the top Make a list of the prepositional phrases (3), the infinitive phrases (4), and the participial phrases (2) in the sentences following on page 194. Draw one line under each preposition, participle, or infinitive. Draw two lines under each object, predicate noun, or predicate adjective. 1. The boys have gone to the river to catch fish. 4. The man, having been ill, works until noon. 5. Many animals do not like to eat meat. 163. OMISSION OF THE SIGN OF THE After certain verbs, as "dare" in the following sentence, the sign to of the infinitive is omitted; as, I dare not do it. The infinitive phrase "(to) do it" is the object of the verb "dare." a. In the following sentences find the infinitives, then make a list of verbs after which the sign to of the infinitive is omitted 1. He need not go. 2. She heard him cry. 3. He had better go home. 4. I saw him do it. 5. I felt the pin prick. 6. They let her go. 7. They bade the old man enter. 8. We helped him carry the load. Draw one line b. Copy the following sentences. under each infinitive; draw two lines under each object, predicate noun, or predicate adjective, and three lines under each adverb that modifies an infinitive. 1. She asked to put away the books. 4. She need not try it. 5. Every one wishes to be happy. 6. He hurt himself by trying to climb a tree. 164. AUXILIARIES USED WITH THE INFINITIVE The infinitives to be and to have are used as helpers to form such expressions as to be bringing, to be brought, to have brought. These expressions are infinitives, as they are verb forms used as nouns and have the sign to. Infinitives are diagrammed like participles: 1. I expect to be reading a book. a. Copy the following sentences. Draw one line under each infinitive (9), two lines under each participle that is an adjective modifier (2), and three lines under each gerund (2). Remember that after certain verbs the sign to of the infinitive is omitted. 1. I ought to be reading. 2. She ought to have brought it back. 3. I expected to be punished. 4. To be put to bed would spoil his fun. 8. Having been wrong once, he is now more careful.. 9. I had better run fast. 10. I dislike combing my hair. II. She waited to be helped. 12. To write a good business letter is often difficult. 13. Tired of reading, he fell asleep. b. List the adjectives, telling in what way each modifies its noun or pronoun. 165. A COMPOSITION A Story to Finish "While the War of 1812 was going on, a family in Missouri were aroused one night by a light knock at the door, and a hoarse whisper, 'Indians!' The father of the family caught up his gun, the mother dressed the children as well as she could in the darkness, and the whole family hurried to the log fort." Using your knowledge of history and the books you have read about Indians, outline and write an account of what happened. The picture on the opposite page will help you. When you have finished your story and corrected it, classify your sentences as to declarative or interrogative, exclamatory or non-exclamatory. Did you use a variety of sentences or were they all of one kind? 166. A LANGUAGE LESSON Choose the correct words from those in italics, give the grammatical rules, and read each sentence on page 198 correctly. MODEL: The boy, standing (firm or firmly) for the right, earned our respect. The word chosen modifies |