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Infinitival for Dummies

pronunciation: ,ɪnfɪnɪ'taɪvəl

What does Infinitival really mean?

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Hey there, kiddo! So, you've asked me what "infinitival" means, right? Well, let's dive right into it and explore this word together. Don't worry, I'll make sure to use simple and easy words to help you understand!

Now, "infinitival" is a word that we use to describe a special kind of verb form. A verb is a word that shows action or a state of being, like "run" or "be." But sometimes, we can change the form of a verb to express different things. And that's where the infinitival verb form comes in!

Imagine you have a verb like "to go." When we use it in its infinitival form, it becomes "go." See, we've taken away that little word "to" and just kept the root word "go." So, whenever we talk about a verb in its basic, unchanged form, we call it infinitival.

But wait, there's more! Infinitival forms are special because they don't have any tense (that's a fancy way of saying they don't tell us when something happens). They're like the superheroes of the verb world, always ready to save the day without any time constraints!

We use infinitival verbs in different ways. Sometimes, they can act as nouns in sentences, like when we say "To eat is enjoyable." Here, "to eat" is an infinitival phrase that acts like a thing, not an action. It's kind of like saying "Eating is enjoyable," but in a fancier way!

Infinitival verbs can also show purpose or intention. For example, when we say "I want to play soccer," the "to play" part is an infinitival verb, telling us the purpose or what I want to do. It's like saying "I want the purpose of me doing something to be playing soccer."

So, to sum it all up, "infinitival" is a word we use to describe a basic, unchanged form of a verb. It doesn't tell us when something happens, and it can act as a noun or show purpose in a sentence.

I hope that explanation clears things up for you! Understanding grammar can be tricky sometimes, but with a little practice and some simple explanations, we can conquer it together. Keep up the great work, and don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions!

Revised and Fact checked by Sophia Wilson on 2023-10-29 03:34:56

Infinitival In a sentece

Learn how to use Infinitival inside a sentece

  • I want to go swimming today.
  • My dog loves to chase squirrels.
  • She asked him to help with the math problem.
  • I hope to visit my grandparents next summer.
  • They decided to watch a movie instead of studying.

Infinitival Pertains To

Words to which the original word is relevant