Difference between revisions of "Infinitive"
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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. | + | 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. |
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| + | 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> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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[[Category:Grammar]] | [[Category:Grammar]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:01, February 8, 2012
An infinitive is a form of a verb that does not completely specify person, number, tense, mood, aspect, and voice.[1] 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 verbs 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.[2]
References
- â Infinitive
- â Split Infinitives, from Oxford Dictionaries Online