What is the infinitive phrase in the following sentences? Tell whether it is used as a noun, adj, or adverb.
1. Early Bostonians STAGED THE BOSTON TEA PARTY TO PROTEST TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.
2.
TO PROTECT THEIR COMFORTABLE POSITION, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette ignored the demands of the French people.
To identify the infinitive phrases in the given sentences and determine their usage (as a noun, adjective, or adverb), follow these steps:
1. Understand what an infinitive phrase is:
- An infinitive phrase is a group of words that starts with the base form of a verb (the infinitive form) and is typically accompanied by modifiers or objects.
- The most common infinitive marker is "to," as seen in both sentences.
2. Analyze sentence 1:
- "Early Bostonians STAGED THE BOSTON TEA PARTY TO PROTEST TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION."
- The infinitive phrase here is "TO PROTEST TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION."
- To determine its usage, examine how it relates to the verb "staged" and the subject "Early Bostonians."
- In this case, the infinitive phrase functions as an adverb, explaining the purpose or reason for why the Bostonians staged the Boston Tea Party.
3. Analyze sentence 2:
- "TO PROTECT THEIR COMFORTABLE POSITION, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette ignored the demands of the French people."
- The infinitive phrase is "TO PROTECT THEIR COMFORTABLE POSITION."
- To determine its usage, consider its relation to the subject "Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette" and the verb "ignored."
- In this sentence, the infinitive phrase acts as an adverb, providing the reason or motive behind why Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette ignored the demands of the French people.
In summary:
- The infinitive phrase in sentence 1, "Early Bostonians STAGED THE BOSTON TEA PARTY TO PROTEST TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION," functions as an adverb.
- The infinitive phrase in sentence 2, "TO PROTECT THEIR COMFORTABLE POSITION," also functions as an adverb.
You've correctly identified the infinitive phrase in number 2. It tells why they ignored the demands of the people. What part of speech tells why?
Study this site for help with the first sentence.
http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/infinitivephrase.htm