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infinitive
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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’).



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? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
I've done my share of splitting infinitives and dangled a few participles, so I'm ready.
AH, THE VOICE OF REASSURANCE by Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)
Other vexing verbal constructions include infinitives functioning as adjectives ("I need a book to read") and the ever-insidious dangling participle.
The four basic principles of grammar by Kratzke, Peter / Academic Exchange Quarterly
Participles dangle, metaphors are not only extended but mixed, infinitives are split and ambiguous pronouns abound.
Voodoomation: The Book of Foretelling by Coleman, Wanda / Black Issues Book Review
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