Connecting infinitive phrases

Definition

Connecting infinitive phrases are groups of words that include the infinitive form of a verb and function to link ideas or actions in a sentence. They often serve to show purpose, intention, or causation, allowing for more complex and nuanced sentence structures that help avoid run-on sentences and fragments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Connecting infinitive phrases can act as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence, enhancing clarity and coherence.
2. Using connecting infinitive phrases can help eliminate fragments by providing necessary context and completing thoughts.
3. When placed at the beginning of a sentence, connecting infinitive phrases can set the tone and establish the purpose for the main clause.
4. These phrases often reduce the likelihood of creating run-on sentences by clearly defining the relationship between actions and ideas.
5. Improper use or placement of connecting infinitive phrases can lead to confusion or ambiguity in meaning, highlighting the need for careful sentence construction.

Review Questions

• How do connecting infinitive phrases help prevent run-on sentences?
  • Connecting infinitive phrases clarify the relationship between actions within a sentence by linking ideas effectively. By doing this, they ensure that each idea is clearly related to another, reducing the chance of run-on sentences where ideas become jumbled together without proper structure. For instance, instead of saying 'I wanted to study I was too tired', using an infinitive phrase could create a clearer connection like 'I wanted to study to improve my grades, but I was too tired.'
• In what ways can connecting infinitive phrases transform sentence fragments into complete thoughts?
  • Connecting infinitive phrases can turn sentence fragments into complete thoughts by providing the necessary context that was missing. For example, a fragment like 'To finish the project' lacks a subject and verb. By adding it to a main clause such as 'To finish the project, I worked late into the night,' it becomes complete. This not only eliminates ambiguity but also enhances the overall flow and coherence of writing.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of using connecting infinitive phrases in achieving clarity in complex sentences.
  • Connecting infinitive phrases significantly enhance clarity in complex sentences by explicitly stating relationships between multiple actions or ideas. When writers use these phrases effectively, they guide readers through their thoughts more smoothly. For instance, instead of a convoluted structure like 'I went to the store I needed milk', transforming it into 'I went to the store to buy milk' offers immediate understanding. This effectiveness is crucial in preventing misinterpretation and ensuring that each action contributes meaningfully to the overall message.

Related terms

Infinitive: The base form of a verb, usually preceded by 'to', which can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence.

Run-on Sentence: A grammatical mistake that occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions.

Sentence Fragment: An incomplete sentence that lacks either a subject, a verb, or does not express a complete thought, often resulting in unclear meaning.