Infinitivalpur

Infinitivalpur is a term used in theoretical linguistics to describe a proposed subtype of infinitival clauses that exhibit a specific set of licensing and binding properties when embedded under certain predicates or operators. The name combines infinitival, referring to non-finite infinitive clauses, with a shorthand pur used in some accounts for a proposed Purity/Purpose feature that constrains the argument structure of non-finite clauses. The concept appears in discussions aimed at explaining cross-language patterns where infinitives seem to maintain distinct control relations from their matrix predicates or interact with modality in unusual ways.

In the proposed analyses, infinitivalpur environments are thought to create a separate functional domain for the embedded infinitive, allowing the embedded subject to participate in control in ways that are not straightforwardly determined by the matrix subject. This can yield readings that differ from those predicted by standard control theories, particularly in languages with rich case systems or complex aspectual and modal inventories. Some accounts treat infinitivalpur as enabling a selective influence of matrix modality on the embedded clause, while others view it as a purely structural device for capturing observed distributions of infinitival clauses.

Criticism of the concept centers on questions of empirical coverage and theoretical necessity, with opponents arguing that many purported infinitivalpur phenomena can be analyzed using existing non-finite constructions or alternative control frameworks. Proponents maintain that infinitivalpur offers a useful heuristic for organizing cross-linguistic data, though consensus remains limited and further cross-linguistic work is encouraged.

See also: infinitival clause, non-finite clause, control theory, modality in linguistics.