Using Infinitives as Predicate Nouns: Examples in English

Infinitives, as we learned in school, are verbs in their most basic, unconjugated form. Infinitives can function as various parts of speech, including nouns. Infinitives used as predicate nouns, or infinitives acting as subjects, complements, or objects in a sentence. In this article, we will explore the use of infinitives as predicate nouns through examples in English.

Defining Infinitives as Predicate Nouns

Before we jump into the examples, it is important to understand the concept of infinitives as predicate nouns. A predicate noun is a noun that follows a linking verb and renames the subject of the sentence. Infinitives used as predicate nouns are infinitives that function as subject complements in a sentence. They are in their infinitive form, meaning "to" followed by the base form of a verb.

Example 1: "To win" as a Subject Complement

"To win" can function as a predicate noun in the sentence "His main goal is to win." In this sentence, "is" is the linking verb, and "to win" is the subject complement, renaming "his main goal." "To win" is used as a noun in this sentence, indicating what his main goal is.

Example 2: "To sing" as an Object Complement

The infinitive "to sing" can also be used as an object complement, describing what the direct object is like. For instance, "I heard him sing," where "I heard" is the predicate and "him sing" is the object complement. In this sentence, "him sing" describes what the speaker heard.

Example 3: "To travel" as a Subject Complement

Consider the sentence "My dream is to travel the world." In this sentence, "is" is the linking verb, and "to travel the world" is the subject complement. The infinitive "to travel" is used as a noun that describes the speaker's dream.

Example 4: "To write" as a Subject Complement

Another example of "to write" as a subject complement is "My passion is to write short stories." In this sentence, "is" is the linking verb, and "to write short stories" is the subject complement. The infinitive "to write" acts as a noun describing the speaker's passion.

Conclusion

Infinitives can be used in a variety of ways in sentences, oftentimes as predicate nouns. As shown in the examples above, an infinitive can be used as a subject complement or object complement, renaming or describing the subject or direct object. Understanding and recognizing the use of infinitives as predicate nouns can help to improve our writing skills and enhance the clarity of our sentences.