infinitive

IPA/ɪnˈfɪnətɪv/
KK[ˌɪnfˈɪnɪtɪv]IPA/ɪnˈfɪnətɪv/

infinitive — noun

  • infinitivesingular
  • infinitivesplural

1. the simple verb form, such as "go" or "be", used after "to" or after verbs like

1.名詞C2
釋義

the simple verb form, such as "go" or "be", used after "to" or after verbs like "can".

例句

In "to leave now," leave is an infinitive after to.

to-infinitive after to

Otis wrote to wait above the line and said wait was the infinitive.

an infinitive in a sentence exercise

同義詞
  • base form

    very close; it names the verb's shape, while infinitive is the grammar label

  • verb form

    broader; it includes many other verb shapes besides the infinitive

  • to-infinitive

    narrower; only the pattern with 'to', not the bare infinitive

  • bare infinitive

    narrower; only the form used without 'to'

反義詞
  • finite verb form

    a verb form marked for tense or agreement, such as 'goes' or 'went'

文法句型

the infinitive of [a verb]

an infinitive in [a sentence / clause]

bare infinitive

to-infinitive

用法筆記

Often appears in the fixed labels bare infinitive and to-infinitive. In grammar teaching, the word usually names the verb form itself, not the whole phrase around it.

常見錯誤

❌to going" is an infinitive.
✅to go" is an infinitive.
💡After 'to', use the base verb, not the -ing form.
❌can to swim" uses an infinitive.
✅can swim" uses a bare infinitive.
💡After modal verbs such as 'can', English normally uses the infinitive without 'to'.

infinitive — adjective