How do you classify infintive phrases?

Question

I am on infinitive phrases right now and I don't get how to classify them. Weather their predicate nominative,direct object, adverb, or adjective.

For example:

Lancelot tried to obtain the grail, but was paralyzed from trying.

to obtain the grail is the infinitive phrase, and to abtain is the infinitive, that's easy, but is it predicate nominative, direct object, adverb, or adjective?

Thank you Warren!!!!

Answer 1

It is a direct object. Remember, predicate nominatives MUST follow a non-action verb and RENAMES the subject. A direct object ALWAYS follow an action verb and receives the action of the verb.

Infinitives may be nouns (subjects, DO, IO, P Nom, or Obj of the prep) or they can be adjectives or adverbs. Just look for how the infinitive FUNCTIONS in the sentence, IF it modifies a noun or pronoun, then the infinitive is functioning as an adjective; if it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, then it is an adverb; and if it is used as a Subj., PNom, Do, IO, Obj of the Prep, it is a noun!! FUNCTION is the key!! Always remember that. Good luck!! From an English teacher of 40 years, now retired.

Chow. F