2.3. to-Infinitival Clause

yeonsolkim
Yeonsol Kim

April 08, 2026


1. Complement로 기능하는 To-Infinitival Clause

I want to drink cold water.

  • Subject(NP): I
    • Head(N): I
  • Predicate(VP): want to drink cold water
    • Head(Lexical Verb): want
    • Complement(to-infinitival Clause): to drink cold water
      • Predicand: I
      • Predicate(VP): drink cold water
        • Head(Lexical Verb): drink
        • Direct Object(NP): cold water
          • Modifier(AdjP): cold
            • Head(Attributive Adj): cold
          • Head(N): water

Simplification: I / want / (I) to drink cold water.

I expect him to pass the exam.

  • Subject(NP): I
    • Head(N): I
  • Predicate: expect him to pass the exam
    • Head(Auxiliary Verb): expect
    • Complement(to-infinitival Clause): him to pass the exam
      • Subject(NP): him
        • Head(N): him
      • Predicate(VP): pass the exam
        • Head(Lexical Verb): pass
        • Direct Object(NP): the exam
          • Determiner(DP): the
            • Head(D): the
          • Head(N): exam

I was glad to be invited.

  • Subject(NP): I
  • Predicate(VP): was glad to be invited
    • Head(Lexical Verb): was
    • Predicative Complement(AdjP): glad to be invited
      • Head(Predicative Adj): glad
      • Complement(to-infinitival clause): to be invited
        • Predicate: to be invited
          • Head(Auxiliary Verb): be
          • Complement(Past-Participial Clause): invited
            • Predicand: I
            • Predicate: invited

I / was / glad / to be [(I) invited].

I want you to stay.

  • Subject: I
  • Predicate: want you to stay
    • Head: want
    • Raised Object: you
    • Complement(To-Infinitival Clause): to stay
      • Subject: you
      • Predicate: to stay

I / want / you to stay.


2. Modifier로 기능하는 To-Infinitival Clause

We have little time to waste.

  • Subject: We
    • Head: We
  • Predicate: have little time to waste.
    • Head: have
    • Direct Object(NP): little time to waste
      • Determiner(DP): little
      • Head: time
      • Modifier(To-Infinitival Clause): to waste
        • Predicand: we
        • Head: waste

Simplification: We / have / little time to waste.


3. Adjunct로 기능하는 To-Infinitival Clause

For Mike to succeed, he must improve his study habit.

  • Adjunct(To-Infinitival Clause): For mike to succeed
    • Subject: Mike
    • Predicate: to succeed
  • Subject: he
  • Predicate(VP): must improve his study habit
    • Head(VP): must
      • Head(Auxiliary Verb): must
    • Complement(Bare Infinitival Clause): improve his study habit
      • Predicand: he
      • Predicate(VP): improve his study habit
        • Head(V): improve
        • Direct Object(NP): his study habit
          • Determiner(Genitive NP): his
          • Head(Nominal): study habit
            • Modifier(NP): study
            • Head(N): habit

Simplification: For Mike / to succeed, he / must / improve his study habit.