An infinitive as a subject is a verb form (usually "to" + verb) that serves as the main focus of a sentence. This structure emphasizes the action or state rather than a noun subject.
Infinitives function as subjects when they represent the primary idea or action in a sentence. They often appear at the beginning, followed by a verb phrase that describes them. For example:
"To err is human."
Here, "to err" is the subject performing the action described by "is."
Infinitives as subjects typically fall into two categories: simple and compound.
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Simple Infinitives | "To run is good exercise." |
| Compound Infinitives | "To run quickly is necessary." |
Simple infinitives consist of "to" plus a base verb, while compound infinitives include additional modifiers or objects.
This structure is common in formal writing, proverbs, and statements about general truths. For instance:
"To forgive is divine."
Infinitives as subjects often convey universal principles or abstract concepts.
Some writers mistakenly believe infinitives can only follow certain verbs or prepositions. However, they can stand alone as subjects when the context supports it. A common error is omitting "to" in constructions where it's required, such as in "To sleep is peaceful" versus the incorrect "Sleep is peaceful" as a standalone subject.
According to the Chicago Manual of Style, infinitives as subjects are grammatically correct when they express the main idea of the sentence. The Oxford English Grammar also confirms their validity in formal and informal contexts alike.
Consider the sentence: "To code efficiently requires practice." Here, "to code efficiently" is the subject performing the action described by "requires." Breaking it down:
This structure highlights the importance of efficient coding as the main focus.
I once used an infinitive as a subject in a formal report: "To analyze data thoroughly ensures accurate results." This construction emphasized the action of analyzing over any specific performer.