The infinitive form of a verb (See Chapter 6), is to + verb; for example, to forgive, to forget, to imagine. Infinitives are tricky little buggers. Although they’re forms of verbs, they don’t act as verbs; instead, they play the role of nouns, adjectives, and adverbs, as in these examples:
To admit my limitations would convey a lack of confidence. (Infinitive serving as a noun, the subject of the sentence.)
After careful deliberation, I decided to admit my limitations after all. (Infinitive serving as an adverb modifying the verb decided.)
I have a responsibility to admit my limitations to other team members. (Infinitive serving as an adjective describing the noun responsibility.)
Adjectives and adverbs are covered later in this chapter.
Infinitives