Definition

1. Noun:
   • The basic form of a verb: The infinitive is the base or dictionary form of a verb, typically preceded by the word "to". It is not conjugated and does not indicate tense, person, or number.
   • A verbal noun: It can function as a noun in a sentence, representing the action or state itself.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • "To be" is the infinitive of the verb "be".
  • In the sentence "I want to leave," the word "to leave" is an infinitive.
  • The infinitive "to run" can be the subject of a sentence: "To run is fun."

Advanced Usage

• Bare Infinitive: An infinitive used without the particle "to".

  • After modal verbs like "can", "must", and "should", we use the bare infinitive: "She can swim."
  • Certain verbs like "let" and "make" are followed by a bare infinitive: "He made me laugh."

• Split Infinitive: An infinitive where an adverb is placed between "to" and the verb.

  • "To boldly go" is a famous example of a split infinitive.
  • While sometimes debated, split infinitives are commonly used in modern English.

• Perfect Infinitive: Formed with "to have" + past participle, used to refer to a time earlier than that of the main verb.

  • "She seems to have finished her work." (The finishing happened before the seeming.)

Variants and Related Words

• Infinitive Phrase (n): A group of words that includes an infinitive and its complements or modifiers.
  • "To learn a new language" is an infinitive phrase in the sentence "To learn a new language is challenging."

Synonyms

• Base form: The simplest form of the verb.
• Dictionary form: The form in which a verb is listed in a dictionary.

Related Phrases

• To-infinitive: The infinitive form that includes the particle "to".
  • "I need to sleep."
• In order to: A phrase used to express purpose, followed by an infinitive.
  • "She studies hard in order to pass the exam."

Related Idioms

• (To be) about to + infinitive: To be on the point of doing something.
  • "The show is about to start."
• (To have) a lot to + infinitive: To have many things that one must do.
  • "I have a lot to do today."

Noun

1. the uninflected form of the verb