infinitivform

Infinitivform, or infinitive form, is a non-finite verb form that expresses action without specifying the subject, person, or tense. It serves as the dictionary or base form of a verb and is used in various constructions across languages to introduce actions in a neutral, time-independent way.

In many languages the infinitive is marked by a special particle or ending. English uses to plus the base form (to eat, to run), and also has a bare infinitive after modals (can eat, must run). Scandinavian languages typically use a separate infinitive marker such as å in Norwegian and Swedish (å spise, att äta). German uses the bare infinitive in main clauses with modal verbs (Ich möchte essen) and employs zu with other infinitives in subordinate clauses (Ich hoffe, bald zu essen).

Functions of the infinitivform include acting as a dictionary form, forming periphrastic tenses with auxiliary verbs, and serving as the clause’s de facto non-finite component. It can function as a noun (for example, “to swim is healthy”) and as a complement to certain verbs that govern another verb (to like to read, to try to go). In many languages the infinitive can also express purpose, intention, or an abstract action when combined with other words.

Infinitivformen are contrasted with finite verb forms, which are conjugated for tense, mood, person, and number. They are also distinct from other non-finite forms such as participles and gerunds, which carry some temporal or aspectual information. The term infinitivform is widely used in grammar descriptions to denote the uninflected sup form of a verb, underlying many syntactic patterns across languages.