Infinitives as Subjects and Subject Complements

Infinitive: is a verb form preceded by to, that is used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

• To cook is a necessary skill. (noun)

• I have a meal to prepare. (adjective)

• I went to get a cookbook from the library. (adverb)

Infinitives can appear alone or in phrases.

Which of these sentences has an infinitive phrase?

• To cook is a necessary skill. • I have a meal to prepare.

• I went to get a cookbook from the library.

Infinitive nouns function as subjects, complements, objects, or appositives.

• To make an appetizing meal was my goal. (subject)

• My task was to learn a few recipes. (subject complement)

• I want to surprise my family. (direct object)

• My goal, to prepare a whole meal, was ambitious. (appositives)

Are the infinitives in these sentences subjects or subject complements?

• My hope is to learn some easy recipes.

• To make a pie seems too difficult right now.

Infinitives can have perfect forms.

• My job is to peel the potatoes. (simple)

• These potatoes are to be peeled for the stew. (simple)

• My goal is to have peeled the potatoes by six o’clock. (perfect)

• These potatoes were to have been peeled by my sister. (perfect)