Infinitive Form

Definition

The infinitive form of a verb is its base form, often preceded by 'to,' such as 'to run' or 'to eat.' This form is essential in understanding non-finite clauses, where verbs do not act as the main verb in a sentence. Infinitives can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs, making them versatile components in sentence structure.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Infinitives can be used to express purpose, such as in the sentence 'She went to the store to buy groceries.'
2. They can also appear after certain verbs and adjectives, creating specific meanings, for example, 'I want to learn' or 'It’s easy to understand.'
3. In some cases, the infinitive form can take on a negative form by adding 'not,' like 'to not go,' which helps convey a different meaning.
4. Infinitives can be part of larger structures called infinitive phrases, which may include objects and modifiers, such as 'to quickly finish the project.'
5. In some languages, the infinitive is often used in conjunction with modal verbs to express necessity or possibility.

Review Questions

• How does the infinitive form function within non-finite clauses, and what role does it play in sentence construction?
  • In non-finite clauses, the infinitive form acts as a verb without expressing tense, allowing it to serve various roles such as subject or object. For example, in the phrase 'To read is enjoyable,' 'to read' is the subject of the sentence. This flexibility enables infinitives to add depth to sentences by linking actions with purposes or intentions without being bound by tense constraints.
• Discuss how infinitives differ from gerunds and participles in terms of their grammatical functions.
  • Infinitives, gerunds, and participles all originate from verbs but serve different grammatical roles. Infinitives can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs; for instance, they can express purpose ('to dance well'). Gerunds exclusively function as nouns ('Dancing is fun'), while participles primarily act as adjectives ('the dancing girl'). Understanding these differences helps clarify how each form contributes to sentence structure and meaning.
• Evaluate the significance of using the infinitive form within complex sentences and how it enhances clarity and expression.
  • Using the infinitive form in complex sentences allows for greater clarity and expressiveness by enabling writers to convey nuanced actions or intentions. For instance, including an infinitive phrase can clarify the purpose behind an action ('She studies hard to achieve her goals'). This not only adds detail but also creates a more dynamic and engaging narrative. The ability of infinitives to integrate smoothly into various sentence structures makes them invaluable for effective communication.

Related terms

Gerund: A gerund is a verb form ending in '-ing' that functions as a noun in a sentence, such as 'swimming' in 'Swimming is fun.'

Participle: A participle is a verb form that can function as an adjective, often ending in '-ing' or '-ed,' like 'running' in 'the running water' or 'baked' in 'the baked bread.'

Non-finite Verb: A non-finite verb does not show tense and cannot act as the main verb of a clause; infinitives, gerunds, and participles are all types of non-finite verbs.