Infinitivaktivformen

Infinitivaktivformen is a term used in linguistics to refer to the infinitive forms that express active voice. In languages that distinguish active and passive in the infinitive, these forms form the counterpart to Infinitivpassivformen. In German grammar, the active infinitive forms are typically the bare infinitive and the infinitive with zu, and they occur in a variety of constructions.

The main forms

- Bare infinitive (Infinitiv ohne zu): the basic form of the verb, often used after modal verbs and in certain syntactic constructions such as perception or causation verbs (for example, sehen, hören, lassen). Examples include gehen, sehen, laufen.

- Infinitiv mit zu: the infinitive introduced by zu, used in many subordinate clauses and to express purpose, intention, obligation, or desirability (for example, lernen zu lesen, früh zu gehen, wichtig zu erfahren). This form also appears after adjectives or nouns and in certain fixed expressions.

Usage and functions

- After modal verbs, the finite verb is typically in the bare infinitive (Ich kann schwimmen).

- The infinitiv mit zu commonly marks non-finite clauses, purpose clauses with um zu, or clauses following certain adjectives, nouns, or verbs (Es ist wichtig, pünktlich zu kommen; Er hat beschlossen, zu bleiben).

- The bare infinitive can occur in perception and causative constructions (Ich sehe ihn gehen; Er ließ ihn lesen).

Relation to Infinitivpassivformen

- Infinitivaktivformen contrast with Infinitivpassivformen, which express passive voice in the infinitive, such as sehen zu werden (to be seen) or gehört zu werden (to be heard). The active forms focus on the agent action, while the passive forms shift the action onto the patient.

In summary, Infinitivaktivformen encompasses the active infinitive forms used in German and related languages, highlighting the two primary active infinitives and their widespread functional roles in subordinate clauses, purpose expressions, and non-finite constructions.