Infinitives - Hutchinson encyclopedia article about Infinitives Printer Friendly
The Free Dictionary
1,036,304,394 visitors served.
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

infinitive
(redirected from Infinitives)

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.

infinitive

In grammar, the basic form of a verb, the form by which verbs are identified: ‘to be’, ‘to hit’, ‘to love’, and so on. The infinitive form of the verb in English is always preceded by to.

The infinitive can be either the subject of a sentence (‘To win is my aim’) or the object (‘I want to win’). But the main verb of the sentence must be finite. The practice of splitting an infinitive (‘to boldly go’) is frowned on by many people, but there are occasions when it may be the best solution (‘a chance to really relax’; ‘the purpose of the training is to better equip those who failed’).


?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
?Sign in SSL protected
Email:
Password:
Register

? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
I've done my share of splitting infinitives and dangled a few participles, so I'm ready.
Other vexing verbal constructions include infinitives functioning as adjectives ("I need a book to read") and the ever-insidious dangling participle.
Participles dangle, metaphors are not only extended but mixed, infinitives are split and ambiguous pronouns abound.
 
Hutchinson browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Hutchinson Encyclopedia
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2008 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.. Terms of Use.