How we pay the bills
First and foremost, an infinitive is the form of the verb, but it is not a verb.
Second, an infinitive can be a noun, an adjective or an adverb.
And finally, it is always "to" plus a verb.
[In the following examples, the infinitive is bold and the verb is underlined.]
- Supporters of the Internet fail to mention that it contains a lot of trash packaged to look like reliable information.
- The subject is SUPPORTERS. The verb is FAIL. The infinitive TO MENTION is the object of the verb. Therefore, it is a noun.
- Students need to learn the parts of speech.
- The subject is STUDENTS. The verb is NEED. The infinitive TO LEARN is the object of the verb. Therefore, it is a noun.
- The ants have arrived to grab the leftovers from the picnic.
- The subject is ANTS. The verb is HAVE ARRIVED. The infinitive TO GRAB is an adverb explaining why or where they have arrived.
- That attorney has the right to represent you.
- The subject is ATTORNEY. The verb is HAS. RIGHT is the object of the verb and the infinitive TO REPRESENT is an adjective telling us what kind of right.
- Lawsuits are useful to punish corporations or to represent consumers.
- The subject is LAWYERS. The verb is ARE. USEFUL is type of adjective known as a predicate adjective and the infinitive TO PUNISH and TO REPRESENT are adverbs modifying that adjective.
- Farmers are splicing genes and manipulating seeds to create more robust plants.
- The subject is FARMERS. The verbs are ARE SPLICING and MANIPULATING. TO CREATE tells us why they are doing this. Therefore, it is an adverb.