For question 8, identify which sentence below contains an
infinitve phrase used as a noun.
(1 point)
The girls love to swim at Julie’s house.
Susan is trying hard to forget.
My group was the last to finish.
Jane’s goal to win is extreme.
An infinitive phrase typically consists of an infinitive, which is the base form of a verb preceded by the word "to," and may also include objects or modifiers related to this verb. An infinitive phrase used as a noun serves as the subject of a sentence, the direct object, or the subject complement.
Here are the sentences analyzed:
1. The girls love to swim at Julie’s house. — The infinitive phrase "to swim at Julie’s house" acts as the direct object of the verb "love," telling us what the girls love.
2. Susan is trying hard to forget. — The infinitive phrase "to forget" acts as the direct object of the verb "trying," telling us what Susan is trying to do.
3. My group was the last to finish. — The infinitive phrase "to finish" acts as an adjective, modifying the noun "last."
4. Jane’s goal to win is extreme. — The infinitive phrase "to win" acts as a noun, specifically the object of the noun "goal," indicating which goal Jane has. However, since it is further describing the noun "goal" and not performing as a subject or object in the sentence, it is not serving strictly as a noun by itself within the structure of this sentence.
Based on these analyses, none of the sentences contains an infinitive phrase used purely as a noun. However, if we are strictly looking for the infinitive phrase acting closest to a noun (as in being the closest to the subject or object of the sentence), sentence 1 and 2 contain infinitive phrases acting as direct objects, which align with noun roles within the sentences. Of the given choices, these would be the ones to consider. Since the instructions are to identify a sentence with an infinitive phrase used as a noun, you might want to clarify whether the infinitive phrase must act strictly as the subject or also consider its role as a direct object. If the latter is acceptable, then both sentences 1 and 2 would apply. If not, then none perfectly fit the criterion as per traditional definitions.