different between infinitive vs nonfinite

English

Etymology

From Middle French infinitif, from Late Latin infinitivus (“unlimited, indefinite”), from Latin infinitus (“unlimited, infinite”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?f?n?t?v/, /?n?f?n?t?v/

Noun

infinitive (plural infinitives)

1. (grammar) the infinitive mood or mode (a grammatical mood)
   • 1847, J. J. P. Le Brethon and L. Sandier, Guide to the French language; especially devised for persons who wish to study that language without the assistance of a teacher. the tenth edition, revised and corrected, London, p. 69:

     The MANNERS of acting, in grammar called modes or moods, are four; Infinitive, Imperative, Indicative, Subjunctive or Conjunctive.

   • 1857, Henry Tindall, A grammar and vocabulary of the Namaqua-Hottentot language, p. 38:

     There are four moods, the Infinitive, Imperative, Indicative, and Subjunctive. [...] the Infinitive is used to express a thing in a general manner.

2. (grammar) A non-finite verb form considered neutral with respect to inflection; depending on language variously found used with auxiliary verbs, in subordinate clauses, or acting as a gerund, and often as the dictionary form.
3. (grammar) A verbal noun formed from the infinitive of a verb.

Hypernyms

• (mood or mode): grammatical mood, mood, mode
• (verb (form)): verb
• (verbal noun): verbal

Derived terms

• bare infinitive
• full infinitive
• perfect infinitive

Translations

See also

• gerund
• supine
• lemma
• verb

Adjective

infinitive (not comparable)

1. (grammar) Formed with the infinitive.
   • 1847, J. J. P. Le Brethon and L. Sandier, Guide to the French language; especially devised for persons who wish to study that language without the assistance of a teacher. the tenth edition, revised and corrected, London, p. 70

     INFINITIVE MOOD or MANNER.
     To Have,   Avoir.

   • 1858, C. P. Mason, English grammar; including the principles of grammatical analysis, London, p. 32:

     In English there are four moods:–1. The Infinitive Mood. 2. The Indicative Mood. 3. the Imperative Mood. 4. The Subjunctive Mood.

2. Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined.
   • a. 1823, Cunningham's Sermons (quoted in 1823, The Edinburgh Christian Instructor, volume 23, page 328)

     […] to search out in some higher region of infinitive space a spot where it was impossible for defilement to follow them […]

French

Adjective

infinitive

1. feminine singular of infinitif

Noun

infinitive f (plural infinitives)

1. infinitive clause, same as proposition infinitive

Italian

Adjective

infinitive f

1. feminine plural of infinitivo

Latin

Noun

?nf?n?t?ve

1. vocative singular of ?nf?n?t?vus

English

Alternative forms

• non-finite

Etymology

non- +? finite

Adjective

nonfinite (not comparable)

1. Infinite.
2. (grammar) Not finite.

   • Although a finite I ( = INFL = INFLECTION) constituent is (overtly or covertly) inflected for TENSE or AGREEMENT properties, it should be obvious that a nonfinite I in English lacks these properties. Hence, the infinitival particle to which occurs in a nonfinite I is by its very nature tenseless and agreementless (i.e. it carries no Tense or Agreement properties, and is thus an entirely uninflected form). The difference between a finite and a nonfinite Clause can thus be seen to lie in the nature of I: a finite Clause is one which contains a finite I (carrying Tense and Agreement properties); a nonfinite Clause is one which contains a nonfinite I which is tenseless and agreementless.