Which term refers to a verbal form that begins with 'to' and can act as a noun, adjective, or adverb?

• A. Infinitive
• B. Gerund
• C. Participle
• D. Clause

Answer: (A)

An infinitive is a verb form built with to + a base verb, and it can function in three ways: as a noun, as an adjective, or as an adverb. When it acts as a noun, it can be the subject or the object of a sentence, as in To learn is exciting. When it acts as an adjective, it describes a noun, as in a plan to succeed. When it acts as an adverb, it explains why, when, or for what purpose, as in She studied to improve her grades. The other terms don’t fit this description: a gerund also functions as a noun but does not start with to (for example, Reading is enjoyable); a participle functions as an adjective or part of a verb phrase but isn’t formed with to + base verb; a clause is a group of words with its own subject and predicate, not a single verb form starting with to.