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Infinitive As Subject Quiz 1 (2 MCQs)

This multiple-choice question set evaluates the understanding of infinitives as subjects, focusing on subject complement formation with infinitives and subject-verb agreement. It is designed to test academic knowledge in English grammar.

Quiz Instructions

Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.

1. It's admirable to help people in need ..... is admirable.

Explanations: Option D) "Helping people in need" is correct because it uses the infinitive form "to help" as the subject of the sentence, which is grammatically appropriate for this context. The infinitive phrase functions as a noun and serves as the subject complement.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect; it uses an infinitive but not in the correct form to be the main subject.
Option B: Incorrect; it does not use an infinitive at all and is a noun phrase.
Option C: Incorrect; while close, it uses "help" as a verb rather than the infinitive form "to help."
Option D: Correct; it uses "to help" (infinitive) as the subject of the sentence.

2. It's dangerous ..... Climbing mountains is dangerous.

Explanations: The infinitive form "to climb mountains" is used as the subject of the sentence, making it grammatically correct and fitting the context of the statement about danger in climbing mountains.

Option Analysis:

Option A: "Climbed mountains" is a past tense verb phrase and cannot be the subject of this sentence.
Option B: "To climb mountains" is correctly used as an infinitive to serve as the subject, indicating the action that poses danger.
Option C: "Climb mountains" lacks the infinitive marker "to," making it incorrect in this context.
Option D: "Climbing mountains" is a gerund and cannot be used as the subject of the sentence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an infinitive as a subject?

An infinitive as a subject is when the base form of a verb (e.g., to read, to write) acts as the main subject of a sentence. For example, "To read is my favorite pastime."

Can infinitives always be used as subjects?

No, while infinitives can sometimes serve as the subject of a sentence, they are not commonly used in this way. More often, they function as objects or complements.

How do you identify an infinitive as a subject?

Identify an infinitive as the subject by looking for the base form of the verb preceded by "to" at the beginning of the sentence. The subject will typically be followed by a noun or pronoun.

Why are infinitives less common as subjects?

Infinitives are less common as subjects because they often sound awkward or unnatural in this role. They are more frequently used to modify verbs, nouns, or other parts of speech.

What is the difference between an infinitive and a gerund as subjects?

An infinitive as a subject uses "to" followed by the base form of the verb, while a gerund (the -ing form of a verb) acts as a subject without "to." For example, "Reading is enjoyable," where "reading" is a gerund.

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