New Mexico now claims to have 72 percent of the country's uranium reserves.
Just checking in advance but would the function of this infinitive phrase be direct object since it's receiving action from the verb?
Yes, the infinitive phrase is a direct object.
Ok! thanks if I put my answers on here can you check it for me?
Yes, I'll be glad to check them.
To determine the function of an infinitive phrase in a sentence, you need to consider how it relates to the other parts of the sentence and the verb it modifies. In this case, the infinitive phrase "to have 72 percent of the country's uranium reserves" is functioning as a predicate complement.
The main verb in the sentence is "claims," and the infinitive phrase modifies and completes the meaning of this verb. It tells us what New Mexico is claiming. In this case, New Mexico is claiming to have 72 percent of the country's uranium reserves. The infinitive phrase acts as a direct object of the verb "claims" by receiving the action of the verb and answering the question "what does New Mexico claim?"