parainfinitives

Parainfinitives are a type of non-finite verb form found in a minority of the world's languages. The term combines para- (beside, alongside) with infinitive, reflecting that a parainfinitive is related to the infinitive but distinct in form or distribution. In many descriptions, the parainfinitive is analyzed as a separate non-finite clause type rather than as a variant of the ordinary infinitive.

Parainfinitives typically occur in clauses that express purpose, intention, result, or certain complement relations. They may appear after verbs of perception, volition, or motion, and can mark aspectual or temporal nuances that differ from a standard infinitive. Parainfinitives may also function as complement clauses where an infinitive would be expected in other languages, or in constructions that coordinate with finite verbs.

Formation and morphology of parainfinitives vary by language. Some are marked by a particle, preposition, or fixed morphophonological shape distinct from the infinitive. Others appear as a bare form with different syntactic licensing. They may resist some morpho-syntactic processes that the canonical infinitive allows, such as certain case markings or control relations.

Distinguishing parainfinitives from infinitives relies on distributional criteria rather than universal morphology: parainfinitives frequently occur in environments where infinitives are ungrammatical or in languages where the infinitive is not the default non-finite form.

Parainfinitives are mainly discussed in typological and descriptive grammars rather than in general grammars of widely studied languages. They illustrate how non-finite clauses can diverge across languages in form and function. They are related to, but distinct from, infinitives, participles, and gerunds.

See also: infinitive, non-finite clause, participle, gerund, non-finite verb.