Exercise 1. Parse every Infinitive that you can find in the following sentences.

1. We saw the ship leave the docks at four o’clock. 2. We hope to see him back soon. 3. He didn’t come back in time to spend Christmas with us. 4. We watched the cat steal silver towards the mouse and then suddenly seize it in its claws. 5. I was very much pleased to see you. 6. I am to blame, not you. 7. The boys dare not speak, when the master tells them to be silent. 8. Being quick to forgive and slow to avenge an injury, he made no one dislike him. 9. I shall be glad to see you, whenever you desire to come here. 10. There are many houses to let in this street. 11. That the injustices of the present world will be amended in the world to come is a thing to be hoped for the good and feared by the evil. 12. Let me see the ship sail by. 13. We must work while it is day; for the night cometh, when no man can work. 14. Make the horse step out a little faster. 15. Did you see that shooting star? 16. To err is human; to forgive divine. 17. I am ashamed to say that he let the man go without paying him. 18. Have you finished all the work that you had to do? 19. I am sorry to find that your feelings have been hurt.

Exercise 2. Comment on the form of the Infinitive.

a) 1. You must be careful with Dinny. 2. “Come along, Imogen,” said Winifred, “we must be getting back.” 3. You must have noticed her there. 4. The whole thing must have been going on under her eyes! 5. She’s like a beautiful exotic flower that must be sheltered from bitter winds. 6. This meeting, Edwina realized, must have been planned several hours ago.

b) 1. I want to know how long we are expected to wait. 2. He seemed to be weighing something in his mind. 3. You know how I hate to interfere in other people’s business. 4. First I considered myself to be standing high and lean, very fair, with a straight wide mouth. 5. Was the object attached to anything? I mean, someone couldn’t have been having a joke or something? 6. He seemed to have taken his defeat quietly. 7. I rang the bell of the dependable family, and the man answered with remarkable promptness; he seemed to have been waiting for it to ring. 8. Martin had in the meantime made himself as comfortable as circumstances would permit.

Exercise 3. Define noun and verb characteristics of the Infinitive.

1. Mr. Gordon began to breathe heavily. 2. The Farrells like to tell jokes. 3. “She must have combing her hair,” she said, “when they came for her.” 4. I haven’t meant to scold and don’t expect to be scolded. 5. He demanded to be taken to see the baby. 6. Could you ask him to come as soon as he can? 7. To hear him talk is an education itself. 8. There’s nothing to be done with her. 9. Well, I think we ought to be starting. 10. I cannot imagine why you should ever have been prevented from seeing the baby. 11. Jimmie tells me he is prepared to sign the statement. 12. They must be intending to go for a swim. 13. You might have thought of Miguel. 14. Our task is to master English.

Exercise 4. State the function of the Infinitive.

1. He began to describe in detail the beauties of the picture. 2. She did not trouble to put on a hat. 3. To dine there on a June evening was a delight. 4. The only thing she could do was to give advice. 5. We used to spend a lot of time in a Greek club. 6. They planned to spend their two weeks’ summer holiday in London. 7. I’d better come round and see what I can do for you. 8. He had other things to think of. 9. His boots stood in front of the fire to warm. 10. She was silent as they continued to walk. 11. Harry refused to go with them. 12. It is depressing to read about depression. 13. You’d better go home and talk it over with your husband. 14. He was not the man to take back the offer he had made. 15. I don’t think I look strong enough to have come here. 16. He was too timid to speak. 17. She hurried away to fetch an egg. 18. Our aim was to find Robinson’s house.

Exercise 5. Parse every Participle in the following sentences.

1. Having finished all the work given him to do, he seemed more pleased with himself than usual. 2. The sun, having set at six o’clock, left us in the evening twilight. 3. The sun, having set at six o’clock, we had scarcely enough daylight left to get home. 4. A faded rose is not so pleasing as a blooming daisy. 5. The rose in your hand is more faded than the one in mine. 6. Having been convicted of more than one theft, he left the country. 7. He seemed contented with his lot. 8. A contented mind is a continual feast. 9. It is not enough for a house to be well built; it ought also to be well planned. 10. The trees having cast their leaves, we are now on the verge of winter. 11. The trees, having cast their leaves, look bare.