Finite Verb or Verbal? -- The "To" Test (Ex # 8)
Note: Infinitives that function as subjects or predicate nouns are fairly rare. I had found the first example in my original "separation" of the story. I reread the entire tale, looking for more, but found only one additional example. 1. He thought [DO of "thought" the best way to please them [#1] was to give them land and
money [#2] ].
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2. They lived so happily together, and loved each other (DO) so much, [Adv. to "so much" that "to love [#3] {like Robin Hood and Maid Marian}" came to be a proverb (PN)]. | Notes 2. "Land" and "money" are the direct objects of the infinitive "to give"; "them" is its indirect object. The infinitive functions as a predicate noun to "way." 3. The infinitive phrase based on "to love" functions as the subject of "came to be." Actually, it's the subject because it is a quotation, but it does begin with an infinitive. (Some people would see "like Robin Hood and Maid Marian" as an ellipsed adverbial clause -- "like Robin Hood and Maid Marian *loved each other*.") I would not argue with a student who wanted to explain "to be" as an infinitive that functions as an adverb to "came," but "came to be" is really idiomatic for "became." |