Two classes of verb-forms illustrate in a striking way the fact that the same word may belong to different parts of speech; for they really belong to two different parts of speech at one and the same
time. These are the infinitive (which is both verb and noun) and the +participle+ (which is both verb and adjective).
Examples of the infinitive may be seen in the following sentences:
To struggle was useless.
To escape is impossible.
To exercise regularly preserves the health.
To struggle is clearly a noun, for (1) it is the subject of the sentence, and (2) the noun effort or exertion might be put in the place of to struggle. Similarly, the noun escape might be
substituted for to escape; and, in the third sentence, regular exercise (a noun modified by an adjective) might be substituted for to exercise regularly.
But these three forms (to struggle,to escape, and to exercise) are also verbs, for they express action, and one of them (to exercise) is modified by an adverb (regularly). Such forms,
therefore, are noun-forms of the verb. They are classed with verbs, and are called infinitives.
The infinitive is a verb-form which partakes of the nature of a noun. It is commonly preceded by the preposition to, which is called the sign of the infinitive.
The infinitive without to is used in a great variety of verb-phrases.
I shall go.
John will win.
Mary may recite.
Jack can swim.
The following sentence contains two participles:
Shattered and slowly sinking, the frigate drifted out to sea.
time. These are the infinitive (which is both verb and noun) and the +participle+ (which is both verb and adjective).
Examples of the infinitive may be seen in the following sentences:
To struggle was useless.
To escape is impossible.
To exercise regularly preserves the health.
To struggle is clearly a noun, for (1) it is the subject of the sentence, and (2) the noun effort or exertion might be put in the place of to struggle. Similarly, the noun escape might be
substituted for to escape; and, in the third sentence, regular exercise (a noun modified by an adjective) might be substituted for to exercise regularly.
But these three forms (to struggle,to escape, and to exercise) are also verbs, for they express action, and one of them (to exercise) is modified by an adverb (regularly). Such forms,
therefore, are noun-forms of the verb. They are classed with verbs, and are called infinitives.
The infinitive is a verb-form which partakes of the nature of a noun. It is commonly preceded by the preposition to, which is called the sign of the infinitive.
The infinitive without to is used in a great variety of verb-phrases.
I shall go.
John will win.
Mary may recite.
Jack can swim.
The following sentence contains two participles:
Shattered and slowly sinking, the frigate drifted out to sea.
No comments:
Post a Comment