The infinitive is often preceded by to. But this word is not used alike in all cases where it precedes an infinitive. Usually it is merely a mark or "sign" of the infinitive, having become attached to it by accident. But when the two words form an adjective or adverbial phrase, the to is a true preposition and the infinitive is its object.

In the sentence. He expected to succeed, expected is a transitive verb. To succeed is its object, just as the noun success is the object in He expected success. No relation word is needed to conneet the object to a verb, and here to is not a preposition. It has no use in the sentence except to serve as a mark or "sign" of the infinitive. But in the sentence, He worked to succeed, to succeed shows the purpose of working and is an adverbial phrase added to the verb worked. To is a preposition, used like for in the sentence, He worked for success; and the infinitive succeed is the object of the preposition to, just as success is the subject of for.

Exercise 239

Find four infinitives not preceded by to, five preceded by the preposition to, and six preceded by to used merely as a sign of the infinitive. Give the construction of each infinitive. Make a list of its uses.

1. To lie about the matter never entered my mind.

2. The little birds soon learned to fly.

3. The troops were sent to defend the bridge.

4. You need not finish the work.

5. My business for the present was to protect myself from the enemy.

6. Houses to rent are scarce.

7. She should acknowledge her fault.

8. It is hard to ignore ridicule. (It, to ignore ridicule, is hard. § 202).

9. You dare not mention the matter to her.

10. There is no need to go.

11. The greatest of faults is to be conscious of none.

12. I was sorry to hear the news.

13. She has not enough courage to ignore criticism.

14. She asked for nothing but to receive justice.

15. She made the baby cry.

203. The infinitive is often used as an appositive of the pronoun it, which is used as subject (§ 128).