What part of speech is the phrase "to play" in the following sentence? "Bob and Jim like to play basketball at night."

Question

Please qualify the phrase "to play" in the following sentence:

 

"Bobby and Jim like "to play" basketball at night."

 

Why is "to play" not considered a verb or verb phrase in the aforementioned sentence?

 

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

It is a noun infinitive. It is the object of the verb "like."