: a verb form normally identical in English with the first person singular that performs some functions of a noun and at the same time displays some characteristics of a verb and that is used with to (as in "I asked him to go") except with auxiliary and various other verbs (as in "no one saw him leave")
Examples of infinitive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2024
James Tiberius Kirk used to boldly go where no one has gone before — and never apologized for splitting the infinitive.
—Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2022
To love, synonymous with to be, a defective verb that only knows the present infinitive.
—Claudio Magris, Harper's Magazine, 25 May 2021
Shakespeare split just one infinitive, the King James Bible none.
—The Economist, 26 Apr. 2018
Adjective
The infinitive originally appeared in Hellenistic Greek (spoken from approximately 4th century B.C.E. to 6th century C.E.), but became obsolete in Medieval times as all Greek varieties except for Romeyka ditched it.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
Noun
Advertisement When infinitives are cleft, some folks, regardless of actual profession, become exercised.
—Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2024
James Tiberius Kirk used to boldly go where no one has gone before — and never apologized for splitting the infinitive.
—Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2022
To love, synonymous with to be, a defective verb that only knows the present infinitive.
—Claudio Magris, Harper's Magazine, 25 May 2021
Shakespeare split just one infinitive, the King James Bible none.
—The Economist, 26 Apr. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'infinitive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near infinitive
Cite this Entry
“Infinitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infinitive. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.
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