Which sentence contains an infinitive? Li says learning to speak French is easier than you think. Marco went to his doctor for advice about his knee. Mrs. Wilson sent the letters and packages to Charlie. If she hurries, Lillian will be there by quarter to four. quick hurry
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
Li says learning to speak French is easier than you think.
Explanation (without using em dashes):
An infinitive is the base form of a verb usually preceded by the word “to.” It does not act as the main verb in a sentence but functions instead as a noun, adjective, or adverb. Examples of infinitives include “to run,” “to eat,” “to dance,” and “to speak.”
In the sentence “Li says learning to speak French is easier than you think,” the phrase “to speak” is an infinitive. It is used as part of the noun phrase “learning to speak French,” where the verb “to speak” follows the word “to” and is not conjugated. This infinitive helps express the action being learned — speaking French.
Let us consider the other options:
- Marco went to his doctor for advice about his knee.
There is no infinitive here. The word “to” is used as a preposition in the phrase “to his doctor,” not as part of a verb. - Mrs. Wilson sent the letters and packages to Charlie.
Again, “to Charlie” is a prepositional phrase. It does not contain a verb and therefore is not an infinitive. - If she hurries, Lillian will be there by quarter to four.
Although “to four” includes the word “to,” it is simply indicating time, not an action. There is no verb following “to,” so this is not an infinitive either.
Therefore, only the first sentence contains a true infinitive: “to speak.” Recognizing infinitives helps in understanding sentence structure and improving grammar usage. They are especially useful in identifying purpose or intention in a sentence.
