I agree with Katherine and Don:  inf. phrase used as an adverbial, in 
fact a restrictive one
in that "able" has no sense without the phrase.



On Friday 04/29/2011 at 5:47 pm, Don Stewart   wrote:
> I would call it an infinitive phrase (form) with an adverbial 
> function, modifying the adjective "able."
>
> This is a common pattern:
>
> happy to see you
> eager to please
> ready to go
> willing to help
>
>
> Don Stewart
> www.writeforcollege.com
> www.writing123.com
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 6:26 PM, Larry Beason <[log in to unmask]> 
> wrote:
>>
>> Looks like an adverbial phrase modifying 'able'.  I suppose one could 
>> make the case it modifies the linking verb 'became'.
>>
>> Larry
>>
>> Larry Beason
>> Associate Professor & Composition Director
>> Dept. of English, 240 HUMB
>> Univ. of South Alabama
>> Mobile AL 36688
>> (251) 460-7861
>> >>> Scott Woods <[log in to unmask]> 04/29/11 4:31 PM >>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Dear List,
>>
>> How would you characterize the function of the underlined infinitive 
>> phrase in
>> the sentence below?
>>
>>
>>    I suddenly became able to improve my basketball game without 
>> trying.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Scott Woods
>>
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