I. GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES: INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW (ALL ABOUT GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES)
3. Infinitives
3.1 Using Infinitives as the Subject of a Sentence or Clause
Infinitives as the Subject: Just as with gerunds, infinitives can be used as the subject of the sentence.
Examples
To become a doctor is my goal.
To win a marathon race has always been a goal of the runner.
To be organized is what will help you in your studies.
However, using an infinitive as the subject of a sentence has become less common. It has come to be seen by many as being too formal. Instead, we can use the following way of communicating the same idea:
- 'It' + BE + Adjective + Infinitive + rest of idea
Examples
To communicate effectively is important at work.
It is important to communicate effectively at work.
It is necessary to guard against viruses on your computer.
It is common in some countries for students to stand up when the teacher enters the room.
Note: A participle can be used as the adjective in this formula.
Example
It is seen as being rude if you stand in front of train doors before departing riders have exited.
Exercise 1: In the following paragraph, write the infinitive that is used as the subject of the sentence.
Include infinitives used in the formula using 'It' + adjective + infinitive. Be careful! Not every infinitive in the following paragraphs is used as the subject of the sentence. Some are used as the object of the verb.
Communicating with someone from another country can be tricky. It is common to make serious mistakes without knowing the communication styles of someone from another country. For example, in the United States, people often interrupt what someone is saying by starting to talk before the other person is finished. To do this is very rude in Japan. It is important in Japan to let the other person completely finish what they're going to say before you begin to speak. Also in Japan, it is common for people to spend some time thinking before they answer a question. It is necessary to give them time to do this.
On the other hand, in the United States, you still should not interrupt someone in the middle of a sentence at the least, and you should really not interrupt them in the middle of what they want to say. It is important to listen from a drop in tone at the end of a sentence, which indicates the end of the sentence. In addition, it is possible to tell when a person is finished what they want to say, because their tone gradually drops over the entire last sentence that they are speaking.
In the United States, it is necessary to show someone who is talking that you are actually actively listening. To just sit passively while they are talking communicates that you are not interested in what they are saying. Instead, it is important to nod your head and say something like 'uh-huh' while they are talking to show that you are listening.
Exercise 2: Use the following verbs in the word list and change them to infinitives.
Then, use them as the subject of the following sentences. Word List: drive, ride, graduate, give, have.
1. a horse is a wonderful experience.
2. a car at the age of 15 is possible in some places.
3. For some people, a speech is worse than death.
4. For some child prodigies, from university at the age of 15 is possible.
5. good communication skills is important in our relationships.
Exercise 3: Now, change the above sentences to sentences that use the 'It' + adjective + infinitive pattern instead of using an infinitive as the subject of the sentence.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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