You seem to have given a good way to tell them apart:
(1) The attempt to robe the bank failed. (Adjectival)
(2) His goal, to win the Presidency, was never realized. (Appositive)

As for #1, you cannot isolate the infinitive with commas. Or else, I may
even take it as Appositive. #2 may skip the commas, though.

Shun
englishtense.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kischner, Michael" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2001 1:34 AM
Subject: Infinitive phrase as adjective and as appositive


> Does someone know a convincing way of distinguishing between the
infinitive
> phrase as adjectival ("The attempt to robe the bank failed") and as
> appositive ("His goal, to win the Presidency, was never realized").  The
> example  that my class got hung up on was "My decision to leave my job was
> wise."  I called the infinitive phrase there an adjectival.  The students
> seemed unsatisfied by my explanation that in their hearts they know I'm
> right.
>
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