What is a characteristic of an infinitive phrase?

An infinitive phrase is defined by its structure, which includes the word "to" followed by the base form of a verb. This characteristic is what distinguishes infinitive phrases from other types of phrases. The presence of "to" indicates that the verb is being used in a non-finite way, meaning it does not convey a specific tense.

This construction allows infinitive phrases to function in various roles within a sentence, such as acting as a noun, adjective, or adverb. For example, in the sentence "I want to read," "to read" is the infinitive phrase that functions as the object of the verb "want." Understanding this structure is crucial for recognizing how infinitive phrases can be utilized in sentences effectively.