Linguistics & Grammar vocabulary · Tense, Aspect and Verb Forms
Infinitive
Meaning in linguistics & grammar, with examples
/ɪnˈfɪnətɪv/nounCore term
In linguistics & grammar, infinitive means: The basic form of a verb, which shows no tense or person, often used with 'to' (to go, to write) and sometimes without it (She can go).
In Turkish: mastar, eylemlik
How it is used
Grammar books distinguish the to-infinitive and the bare infinitive. Teachers practise verbs followed by the infinitive (want to, decide to) and compare them with verbs followed by a gerund (enjoy doing).
Example sentences
After 'decide', use the infinitive: 'We decided to postpone the exam.'
Modal verbs are followed by the bare infinitive, without 'to'.
Common collocations
to-infinitive
bare infinitive
split infinitive
infinitive of purpose
Related terms
gerundThe -ing form of a verb used like a noun, for example as a subject or object: 'Swimming is good exercise' or 'I enjoy reading'.
participleA verb form without tense used in verb phrases and as an adjective: the present participle ends in -ing (working), the past participle often in -ed or -en (worked, broken).
modal verbAn auxiliary verb such as can, could, may, might, must, should, will or would that expresses ideas like ability, possibility, permission, obligation or advice.
verbA word that shows an action, event or state, such as run, become or know; in English it changes its form to show tense and agreement.
