|
|
in·fin·i·tive
 infinitive
|
|
- pronunciation:
- ihn
fI
nih
tihv
- features:
- Word Parts
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition: |
An infinitive is something in grammar. An infinitive is the simple form of a verb that often has the word "to" in front of it. "To go," to run," to forget" are phrases that show infinitives. An infinitive has no subject and does not show the time of an action. Words like "went," "ran," and "forgot," for example, are not infinitives because they show past time. These would also not be used without some subject like "we" "they," "I," or "my mom."
We often use an infinitive after the word "want," as in "I want to go home now." In this sentence, "go" is an infinitive.When you look up a verb in an English dictionary, it will usually show it to you in the form of an infinitive. If you look up "struggles" or "struggled" in the dictionary, for example, it will show you "struggle." The infinitive represents the verb in all its different forms.
|
|
|