in|fin|i|tive

in|fin|i|tive
in|fin|i|tive «ihn FIHN uh tihv», noun, adjective. Grammar.
–n.
a form of a verb not inflected for person or number and commonly preceded by to.Examples: Let him go. We want to go now. Abbr: inf.
–adj.
of the infinitive.
[< Late Latin īnfīnītīvus < Latin īnfīnītus unrestricted; see etym. under infinite (Cf.infinite)]
Usage infinitive. The present infinitive is the simple form of the verb, with or without to:»

I want to buy a hat. Let him leave if he wants to leave.

Infinitives are used as: a nouns: »

To swim across the English Channel is his ambition.

b adjectives: »

They had money to burn.

c adverbs: »

He went home to get his hat.

d part of verb phrases: »

She will do most of the work.

See also usage notes under split infinitive (Cf.split infinitive) and dangling participle. (Cf.dangling participle)

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • af|fin|i|tive — «uh FIHN uh tihv», adjective. closely connected: »the affinitive bond between identical twins …   Useful english dictionary

  • de|fin|i|tive|ly — «dih FIHN uh tihv lee», adverb. 1. so as to decide or settle the matter; decisively; conclusively; finally; definitely: »Definitively thus I answer you (Shakespeare). 2. Metaphysics. so as to have a definite position, but not take up space …   Useful english dictionary

  • de|fin|i|tive — «dih FIHN uh tihv», adjective, noun. –adj. 1. a) that decides or settles a question; conclusive; final: »Mother gave a definitive answer: we could not go unless we finished our homework first. A jury had pronounced: the verdict was definitive… …   Useful english dictionary

  • in|fin|i|tive|ly — «ihn FIHN uh tihv lee», adverb. as an infinitive …   Useful english dictionary

  • in´de|fin´i|tive|ness — in|de|fin|i|tive «IHN dih FIHN uh tihv», adjective. not definitive. –in´de|fin´i|tive|ness, noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • in|de|fin|i|tive — «IHN dih FIHN uh tihv», adjective. not definitive. –in´de|fin´i|tive|ness, noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • de|fin|i|tive|ness — «dih FIHN uh tihv nihs», noun. the quality of being definitive; decisiveness …   Useful english dictionary

  • in·fin·i·tive — /ınˈfınətıv/ noun, pl tives [count] grammar : the basic form of a verb ◇ In English the infinitive form of a verb is usually used with to (“I asked him to go”) except with modal verbs like should and could (“He should go”) and certain other verbs …   Useful english dictionary

  • de·fin·i·tive — …   Useful english dictionary

  • tive — ab·duc·tive; ab·duc·tive·ly; ab·er·ra·tive; ab·re·ac·tive; ab·sorp·tive; ab·strac·tive; ac·cel·er·a·tive; ac·com·mo·da·tive; ac·cre·tive; ac·cul·tur·a·tive; ac·cu·mu·la·tive; ac·quis·i·tive; ac·quis·i·tive·ness; adapt·a·tive; ad·duc·tive;… …   English syllables

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