infinitive

CEFRB1

/ɪnˈfɪnɪtɪv/

noun · adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    The basic form of a verb, usually with to.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    A non-finite verb form considered neutral with respect to inflection; depending on language variously found used with auxiliary verbs, in subordinate clauses, or acting as a gerund, and often as the dictionary form.

Examples

  • 'Needless to say' is often used as an idiomatic expression in the infinitive.

  • An infinitive without a 'to' attached is called a bare infinitive.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
4

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A verbal noun formed from the infinitive of a verb.

  2. The infinitive mood or mode (a grammatical mood).

adjective

Extra meaning

  1. Formed with the infinitive.

More examples

In context

  • […] to search out in some higher region of infinitive space a spot where it was impossible for defilement to follow them […]

  • The MANNERS of acting, in grammar called modes or moods, are four; Infinitive, Imperative, Indicative, Subjunctive or Conjunctive.

  • There are four moods, the Infinitive, Imperative, Indicative, and Subjunctive. [...] the Infinitive is used to express a thing in a general manner.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

In the sentence 'She wants to run', the word 'to' is part of an blank verb form.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English infenitife (“without end, in perpetuity”), from Late Latin īnfīnītīvus (“unlimited, indefinite”), from Latin īnfīnītus (“unlimited, infinite”). By surface analysis, infinite + -ive.