infinitivepresent

Infinitivepresent, commonly referred to as the present infinitive, is a non-finite verb form found in some languages that denotes actions occurring in the present or in a timeless, general sense without reference to a specific subject. It is a basic counterpart to other non-finite verb forms such as past or perfect infinitives in languages that distinguish multiple infinitives.

In linguistic tradition, the present infinitive is one of several infinitival categories. In languages that mark tense in the infinitive, the present infinitive is typically used as the citation form of a verb in non-finite clauses and as a base for forming other constructions. It often contrasts with past or perfect infinitives, which refer to completed or non-present time frames.

Usage and distribution vary by language. In Latin, for example, the present active infinitive (amare, monēre) signals present action and serves in various periphrastic and subordinate-clause functions. In many Romance languages, the infinitive (hablar, hablar, falar) functions as the bare non-finite form and is not ordinarily marked for tense, while traditional grammars may still describe a present infinitive as a distinct category. In Germanic languages, the infinitive (to go, gehen) is commonly called the infinitiv and is used with auxiliary verbs and in subordinate clauses; some grammars still distinguish a present-infinitive form in specific analyses.

English typically lacks a formal present infinitive distinct from the general to-infinitive, with tense conveyed through finite verbs. The term infinitivepresent is more widely used in cross-linguistic descriptions than in everyday English grammar, and some sources treat it as a traditional label for the present infinitive form.

See also: infinitive, non-finite verb, present tense, periphrasis.