In this topic, we are gonna go through one type of phrase that is commonly used in IELTS writing and speaking. If you know your infinitives, it should come as no surprise that an infinitive phrase is made up of the infinitive form of the verb which is "to + the verb". Onto the phrase itself, it can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb. The infinitive phrase is a lot more versatile than either the gerund or the participle phrase.
Functions as a noun. The participle phrase functions as an adjective and the infinitive phrase. Besides, it can function as all three. The sentence begins with an infinitive phrase, there's an infinitive verb, here's the phrase:
Example 1: To finish first in a marathon is Jerry's lifelong goal.
What is Jerry's lifelong goal?
The subject is very similar to a gerund phrase. However, it is an infinitive phrase.
Why use the infinitive form versus the gerund form?
There isn't necessarily a perfect answer to that. It's an area where non-native speakers, that is people whose first language is not English, it's an area where they struggle. But, there is a ground rule and the ground rule, in general, is if you wanna talk about a goal or a process, how to do something or why you're doing something in order to do it then.
In this case with Jerry, "finishing first in a marathon is Jerry's lifelong goal". This is an example where either one will work. However, if you're not describing process or the ground rules then you're describing something as it is happening, you should definitely use the gerund phrase which in general is more versatile.
But remember, versatility within the sentence itself infinitive phrases are number one because they can be a noun as they are here, an adjective or an adverb.
Example 2: To satisfy his longing for travel, Jerry has booked an around-the-world ticket.
Who is satisfying their longing for travel?
Jerry, this functions here as a participle phrase. However, remember when you have to satisfy there it is an infinitive. It is an infinitive phrase but it's functioning as an adjective the way that a participle phrase would do.
He's looking at the elephants roaming by. That is satisfying his longing for travel. However, he's not even there yet. He's simply just booked a ticket. And so to satisfy something, something that's about to happen, a goal to finish. A goal, something in the future.
02/08/2022
