Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun grammar The English
infinitive verb form when introduced by theparticle to .
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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A to-infinitive has a to, like, I think, German so zu sagen, to coin a phrase.
So maybe Chief Justice Roberts was instinctively editing and "improving" the wording of the constitutional oath. Ann Althouse 2009
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There are some other verbs which can also be followed by the to-infinitive or gerund with a slight difference in meaning.
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However, when the verb is in the continuous form the to-infinitive is preferred: I'm beginning to concentrate now.
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After certain verbs which can be followed by to-infinitive or by a noun or pronoun in the accusative plus a to infinitive, that is, the structure can be verb + to-infinitive: I want to go to the pictures, or verb + object + to infinitive: I want him to come with me to the pictures, where HIM act as the subject of the infinitive.
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There are some other verbs which can also be followed by the to-infinitive or gerund, but their meaning change according to whether they are used in one way or another.
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There are also a number of independent constructions which also use the to-infinitive: To sum up, To start with, etc. Bare/Plain Infinitive or Infinitive Without to (1)
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