Mastering Infinitives: A Grade 12 ELA Worksheet

Mastering Infinitives

Read each instruction carefully and complete the exercises. This worksheet focuses on identifying and using infinitives and infinitive phrases.

Underline the infinitive or infinitive phrase in each sentence.

1. She decided to pursue a career in astrophysics.

2. To understand complex literary themes requires careful analysis.

3. The committee voted to postpone the decision until next month.

4. His greatest ambition was to travel the world.

5. We need to analyze the data thoroughly before presenting our findings.

For each sentence, identify the grammatical function of the infinitive or infinitive phrase.

1. To err is human; to forgive, divine.

2. The best way to learn is to teach others.

3. He bought a new textbook to study for his exams.

Complete each sentence by adding an appropriate infinitive or infinitive phrase.

1. The students were eager   their research findings.

2. It is important   before making a significant decision.

3. The professor encouraged them   complex literary theories.

4. Her primary goal for the semester was   her analytical writing skills.

5. He found it difficult   the abstract concepts presented in the lecture.

Write a paragraph (4-6 sentences) explaining the importance of critical thinking in academic writing. Include at least three infinitives or infinitive phrases in your paragraph and underline them.

Match each infinitive phrase with its grammatical function in the sentence.