‘To be a nurse’ is an infinitive phrase as it starts with the
infinitive ‘to be’. It is also a noun phrase as it functions as the
subjectof the sentence.
She wasto become a popular teacher.‘To become a popular teacher’ is an infinitive phrase as it
starts with the infinitive ‘to become’. It is also a noun phrase
as it acts as thecomplementof the sentence.
To be a doctor was his ambition.‘To be a doctor’ is a phrase using the infinitive ‘to be’. In this
case the whole phrase is thesubjectof the main clause and
‘ambition’ is thecomplement.
Looking at participial phrases
Aparticipial phraseis introduced by a past or present parti-
ciple.
Running quickly across the road, she stumbled.The present participle ‘running’ introduces the phrase and so
it is a participial phrase.
Leaping out of bed, he ran to the window.This sentence starts with the present participle ‘leaping’
and is therefore aparticipial phrase. It adds detail to the
sentence and is followed by a comma.
Handcuffed to a policeman, the prisoner was led away.LEARNING ABOUT SENTENCE CONSTRUCTION / 29