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. > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: > http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html > and select "Join or leave the list" > > Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ > > To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/