infinitive
Verb's root form
An infinitive is the base form of a verb, typically preceded by "to": to run, to think, to be.
It functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb rather than as the main verb of a sentence: I want to leave, She has nothing to say.
The so-called split infinitive—placing a word between "to" and the verb (to boldly go)—is grammatically unremarkable despite persistent superstition against it.
Preceding infinitive verbs
- verbAction-expressing word
- nonfiniteVerb lacking tense
- bareLacking any covering
- splitSeparation into parts
gerund · participle · tenseless · unmarked · uninflected · citation · dictionary · base
Verb form variation system
- inflectionWord form alteration
- tenseStrained or nervous
- aspectFeature or dimension
- moodPrevailing emotional condition
voice · paradigm · auxiliary · modal · perfect · passive · active · progressive
Provision in agreement
- phraseWords forming partial meaning
- complementWhat makes complete
- subjectMatter under discussion
- objectTangible entity or aim
predicate · construction · embedded · subordinate · purpose · result · modifier · adverbial
Rules for arranging words
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- semanticsStudy of linguistic meaning
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- diagrammingCreating visual schematics
parsing · structure · theory · generative · transformational · Chomsky · binding · theta
to
Preceding infinitive verbs
split · gerund · participle · tenseless · unmarked · uninflected · citation · dictionary · base · root
conjugation
Verb form variation system
- inflectionWord form alteration
- tenseStrained or nervous
- aspectFeature or dimension
mood · voice · paradigm · auxiliary · modal · perfect · passive · active · progressive · agreement
clause
Provision in agreement
- phraseWords forming partial meaning
- complementWhat makes complete
- subjectMatter under discussion
object · predicate · construction · embedded · subordinate · purpose · result · modifier · adverbial · nominal
syntax
Rules for arranging words
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- semanticsStudy of linguistic meaning
- analysisMethodical study of parts
diagramming · parsing · structure · theory · generative · transformational · Chomsky · binding · theta · argument
possibility
State of being achievable
prospect · unrealized · incipient · goal · aim · desire · wish · hope · expectation · plan
- Sanskrit grammarPanini, nominative, accusative, sutra, dative
- Semitic grammarroot, stem, conjugation, inflection, verb form
- language learningvocabulary lists, lessons, acquisition, basic vocabulary, grammar books
- Ancient GreekGreek alphabet, Greek vocabulary, ancient Greek, Homer, Plato
- grammardeclension, pronouns, adjectives, conjugation, nouns
- grammar partsnoun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun
infinitiveindicative
Serving as a sign
participle · main verb · subjunctive · imperative · gerund
- infinitive formVerb's unmarked, tenseless state
- split infinitiveAdverb bisecting an infinitive
- bare infinitiveVerb stem sans "to"
- split an infinitiveInterrupt to-verb construction