Level: Intermediate and Up
Pair with the Songs:
“Someone You Loved” (Louis Capaldi, 2019)
“Easy on Me” (Adele, 2021)
Recommended Videos:
“Someone You Loved”: the official video or the audio-only video
“Easy on Me”: the official video or the audio-only video

The chorus of the song “Easy on Me” includes these lyrics: “the chance to feel the world around me” and  “no time to choose.” (The story behind the song “Easy on Me” is on this site.) The song “Someone You Loved” also has repeated examples of infinitives and infinitive phrases used as adjectives (somebody to know, somebody to heal, no one to save me, etc.). The worksheet below gives students practice using the construction and would work with either song. Permission granted to reproduce the worksheet for classroom use.

infinitives as adjectives.docx                 infinitives as adjectives.pdf

infinitives as adjectives (webpage)

In the annotated lyrics for “Someone You Loved” below, the “Infinitives as adjectives” construction is highlighted. (Previewing the lyrics is recommended; some content may not be appropriate for your class.) Lyrics intended for nonprofit educational use only.

someone you loved, lyrics.pdf          someone you loved, lyrics (webpage)

Previews:

Infinitives as Adjectives

What is the best way to spend a rainy afternoon?

In the question What is the best way to spend a rainy afternoon? there is an infinitive phrase: to spend a rainy afternoon. The infinitive phrase is used as an adjective. It modifies the noun way. An infinitive (or infinitive phrase) that is used as an adjective always comes after the noun it modifies.

A.  Each question below has an infinitive phrase that is used as an adjective. Circle the infinitive phrase. Draw a line to the noun it modifies. Then answer the question. You do not need to write a complete sentence. 

Your Opinion, Please

1. What is the best food to eat in cold weather?    
2. What is the best beverage to drink in cold weather?    
3. What is the best food to eat in hot weather?    
4. What is the best beverage to drink in hot weather?    
5. What are two good ways to save money?
6. What is a good reason to break up with your girlfriend or boyfriend?
7. Where is the best place to go for a vacation?
8. If you have space for only three tools, what are the three most important tools to have in
   your home?
9. What are two tips to stay healthy?
10. What is something you hope you get a chance to do someday?
11. What is something you never have time to do?

B. Read the questions and your answers aloud with a partner.

Answer Key

Infinitive Phrase / Noun It Modifies
1.to eat in cold weather/ food
2.to drink in cold weather / beverage
3. to eat in hot weather / food
4. to drink in hot weather / beverage
5. to save money / ways
6. to break up with your girlfriend or boyfriend /  reason
7. to go for a vacation / place
8. to have in your home / tools
9. to stay healthy / tips
10. to do some day / chance
11. to do / time

Copyright © 2021 Sandra Heyer. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
Photo: © Ngo Thye Aun | dreamstime. Reprinted with permission.

Lyrics below intended for nonprofit educational use only

Someone You Loved
Lewis Capaldi

Listen to the song. Notice the infinitives and infinitive phrases that are used as adjectives. They are in bold.

I’m going under, and this time I fear there’s no one to save me
This all or nothing really got a way of driving me crazy
I need somebody to heal
Somebody to know
Somebody to have
Somebody to hold
It’s easy to say¹
But it’s never the same
I guess I kind of² liked the way you numbed all the pain

Now the day bleeds
Into nightfall
And you’re not here
To get me through it all
I let my guard down
And then you pulled the rug
I was getting kind of used to being someone you loved

I’m going under, and this time I fear there’s no one to turn to
This all or nothing way of loving got me sleeping without you
Now, I need somebody to know
Somebody to heal
Somebody to have
Just to know how it feels
It’s easy to say but it’s never the same
I guess I kind of liked the way you helped me escape

Now the day bleeds
Into nightfall
And you’re not here
To get me through it all
I let my guard down
And then you pulled the rug
I was getting kind of used to being someone you loved

And I tend to close my eyes when it hurts sometimes
I fall into your arms
I’ll be safe in your sound ’til I come back around

For now the day bleeds
Into nightfall
And you’re not here
To get me through it all
I let my guard down
And then you pulled the rug
I was getting kind of used to being someone you loved

But now the day bleeds
Into nightfall
And you’re not here
To get me through it all
I let my guard down
And then you pulled the rug
I was getting kind of used to being someone you loved
I let my guard down
And then you pulled the rug
I was getting kind of used to being someone you loved

¹The infinitive to say is used an adverb. It modifies the adjective easy.
²Kind of is often pronounced “kinda” in informal speech.

Songwriters: Benjamin Kohn / Lewis Capaldi / Peter Kelleher / Samuel Roman / Tom Barnes
Someone You Loved lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC