The infinitive is a non-finite form of the verb which names a process in a most general way. As such, it is naturally treated as the initial form of the verb, which represents the verb in dictionaries.
Nominal characteristics is shown in its syntactic functions:
- as a subject - To go on like this was dangerous
- as a predicative - Her plan was now to drive to Bath during the night
- as an object - I have never learnt to read or write
The verbal characteristics of the infinitive are as follows:
- the infinitive of transitive verbs can take a direct object - He began to feel some curiosity
- the infinitive can be modified by an adverb - I cannot write so quickly
- the infinitive has tense and aspect distinctions; the infinitive of transitive verbs has also voice distinctions.
