Infinitive phrase and how it is used
My gram taught me to make lentil soup
To make lentil soup infinitive
I'm not sure if it is a noun or adv.
It's a noun, telling what Gram taught. Therefore it's a direct object.
An infinitive phrase is a group of words that begins with the word "to" followed by the base form of a verb (e.g., to eat, to run, to swim). It is formed by adding the word "to" before the base form of the verb and can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb in a sentence.
In the sentence you provided, "to make lentil soup" is an infinitive phrase. It functions as the direct object of the main verb "taught." In this case, the infinitive phrase acts as a noun, as it is the object of the verb "taught." The sentence can be rewritten without the infinitive phrase and still make sense: "My gram taught me."
However, it's important to note that infinitive phrases can also function as adverbs or adjectives in other sentences. For example:
- Noun: "I love to read." (The infinitive phrase "to read" acts as the direct object of the verb "love.")
- Adjective: "This is the best place to eat." (The infinitive phrase "to eat" modifies the noun "place.")
- Adverb: "She came to help." (The infinitive phrase "to help" modifies the verb "came," indicating the purpose of her action.)
In summary, an infinitive phrase can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb depending on its role in the sentence.
An infinitive phrase is a group of words that begins with the infinitive verb, typically "to" followed by the base form of the verb (e.g., to run, to eat, to sleep). The infinitive verb functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence.
In your example sentence, "to make lentil soup" is the infinitive phrase. It is used as an adverb in this case, modifying the verb "taught." The phrase tells us what your gram taught you. It answers the question "What did your gram teach you?" The infinitive phrase "to make lentil soup" provides the purpose or reason for the action of being taught.
To determine whether an infinitive phrase is functioning as a noun or an adverb, you can ask yourself what it is modifying or what role it plays in the sentence. If it functions as a noun, it could be the subject or object of a sentence. If it functions as an adverb, it will modify a verb, adjective, or adverb. In your sentence, the infinitive phrase modifies the verb "taught," indicating the action your gram performed and why. Therefore, it is an adverbial infinitive phrase.