Infinitive - Revision history

DavidE: update internal link

2012-02-08T18:01:21Z

update internal link

DavidE: added discussion of split infinitive

2011-06-27T17:40:11Z

added discussion of split infinitive

MarkN85 at 19:52, April 8, 2011

2011-04-08T19:52:22Z

DavidE: new article

2011-04-08T19:45:51Z

new article

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An '''infinitive''' is a form of a [[verb]] that does not completely specify [[person (grammar)|person]], [[number (grammar)|number]], [[tense]], [[mood (grammar)|mood]], [[aspect (grammar)|aspect]], and [[voice]]. That is, an infinitive cannot function as a [[finite verb]], that is, as the main verb in a [[sentence]]. Instead, the infinitive can function as a verbal [[noun]] or can be combined with one or more [[auxiliary verb]]s to form a compound finite verb.
==References==
*[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/infinitive Infinitive]
[[Category:Grammar]]

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−	An '''infinitive''' is a form of a [[verb]] that does not completely specify [[person (grammar)\|person]], [[number (grammar)\|number]], [[tense]], [[mood (grammar)\|mood]], [[aspect (grammar)\|aspect]], and [[voice]].<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/infinitive Infinitive]</ref> That is, an infinitive cannot function as a [[finite verb]], that is, as the main verb in a [[sentence]]. Instead, the infinitive can function as a verbal [[noun]] or can be combined with one or more [[auxiliary verb]]s to form a compound finite verb.	+	An '''infinitive''' is a form of a [[verb]] that does not completely specify [[person (grammar)\|person]], [[number (grammar)\|number]], [[tense]], [[mood (grammar)\|mood]], [[aspect (grammar)\|aspect]], and [[voice (grammar)\|voice]].<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/infinitive Infinitive]</ref> That is, an infinitive cannot function as a [[finite verb]], that is, as the main verb in a [[sentence]]. Instead, the infinitive can function as a verbal [[noun]] or can be combined with one or more [[auxiliary verb]]s to form a compound finite verb.

	Infinitive verbs are often identified in the [[English language]] by a preceding "to" before the [[base form]] (i.e., to go, to work, to edit); this is known as a full infinitive. An infinitive with any words between the "to" and the base form (e.g., "to boldly go") is called a '''split infinitive.''' While many people believe that split infinitives are ungrammatical, some authorities disagree.<ref>[http://oxforddictionaries.com/page/grammartipsplitinfinitive Split Infinitives], from Oxford Dictionaries Online</ref>		Infinitive verbs are often identified in the [[English language]] by a preceding "to" before the [[base form]] (i.e., to go, to work, to edit); this is known as a full infinitive. An infinitive with any words between the "to" and the base form (e.g., "to boldly go") is called a '''split infinitive.''' While many people believe that split infinitives are ungrammatical, some authorities disagree.<ref>[http://oxforddictionaries.com/page/grammartipsplitinfinitive Split Infinitives], from Oxford Dictionaries Online</ref>

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-An '''infinitive''' is a form of a [[verb]] that does not completely specify [[person (grammar)|person]], [[number (grammar)|number]], [[tense]], [[mood (grammar)|mood]], [[aspect (grammar)|aspect]], and [[voice]].  That is, an infinitive cannot function as a [[finite verb]], that is, as the main verb in a [[sentence]].  Instead, the infinitive can function as a verbal [[noun]] or can be combined with one or more [[auxiliary verb]]s to form a compound finite verb.  Infinitive verbs are often identified in the English language by a preceding "to" (i.e., to go, to work, to edit); this is known as a full infinitive.
+An '''infinitive''' is a form of a [[verb]] that does not completely specify [[person (grammar)|person]], [[number (grammar)|number]], [[tense]], [[mood (grammar)|mood]], [[aspect (grammar)|aspect]], and [[voice]].<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/infinitive Infinitive]</ref>  That is, an infinitive cannot function as a [[finite verb]], that is, as the main verb in a [[sentence]].  Instead, the infinitive can function as a verbal [[noun]] or can be combined with one or more [[auxiliary verb]]s to form a compound finite verb.
 ==References==
-*[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/infinitive Infinitive]
+<references/>
 [[Category:Grammar]]