infinitive
UK[ɪnˈfɪnɪtɪv]US[ɪnˈfɪnɪtɪv]
n
The basic form of a verb, without an inflection binding it to a particular subject or tense (e.g., 'be' in 'let him be', 'go' in 'can go').
adj
Having or using the basic form of a verb.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
finite
ive
in
not
finite
limited
ive
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'infinitive' originates from Late Latin 'infinitivus', a grammatical term coined from the classical Latin elements 'in-' (not) and 'finitus' (limited, bounded). This construction directly translates to "unlimited" or "not bounded," which perfectly captures the grammatical function of the verb form it describes. Unlike conjugated verbs, which are "limited" or "bound" to a specific subject, number, tense, or mood, the infinitive form remains abstract and unconstrained. Thus, the term's logic elegantly moves from the literal concept of "having no limits" to the specific grammatical abstraction of a verb in its most fundamental, uninflected state.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + finite (limited) + ive (adjective suffix)
- in: A Latin prefix meaning "not, opposite of".
- finite: From Latin 'finitus', meaning "limited, bounded, having an end".
- ive: A Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives (and later nouns) meaning "of, relating to, or tending to".
Examples
The verb 'to run' is in the infinitive form.
In the sentence 'She wants to leave', 'to leave' is an infinitive phrase.
Some languages have a distinct infinitive suffix.