INFINITIVAL Meaning and
Definition
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Infinitival is an adjective used to describe a grammatical form that functions similarly to an infinitive verb. In linguistics, an infinitive is the base form of a verb, typically preceded by the word "to" in English (e.g., "to walk", "to eat"). Infinitival, therefore, refers to any word, phrase, or clause that shares similarities with this form.
When used as an adjective, infinitival pertains to the properties or characteristics associated with infinitives. It often refers to the non-finite verb forms that lack specific tense, person, or number distinctions. This includes constructions like the bare infinitive ("walk", "eat"), the to-infinitive ("to walk", "to eat"), and others. Infinitival forms allow us to express actions or states without indicating the time, the subject, or whether the action is completed or ongoing.
Furthermore, infinitival constructs can function as various different sentence elements, such as noun phrases, adjectives, or adverbs. They can be subjects ("To study is important"), objects ("I want to eat"), or modifiers ("The need to succeed drives him"). These infinitival uses enhance the versatility and flexibility of language, allowing for more complex and subtle expressions.
Overall, infinitival is an adjective that relates to non-finite verb forms lacking specific tense, person, or number distinctions. It encompasses a range of constructions functioning as various sentence elements, providing a means for expressing actions or states without clear temporal or grammatical marking.
Common Misspellings for INFINITIVAL
Etymology of INFINITIVAL
The word "infinitival" is derived from the noun "infinitive" combined with the suffix "-al".
The term "infinitive" traces back to the Latin word "infinitivus", which means "unlimited" or "indefinite". In Latin grammar, an infinitive is a non-finite verbal form that typically functions as a noun, often expressing the notion of an action or a state without specifying the subject or tense.
The suffix "-al" is frequently added to nouns in English to form adjectives, indicating a relationship, state, or characteristic associated with the noun. In the case of "infinitival", the suffix "-al" is added to "infinitive" to form an adjective that signifies something related to or characteristic of the infinitive verb form.
Similar spelling words for INFINITIVAL
- infinitesimal,
- infinitude,
- uneventful,
- infinitely,
- inventively,
- infinity,
- infiniteness,
- infinite,
- Inventful,
- infantophilia,
- inabinet,
- infinitivally,
- infinitive,
- uneventfully,
- infinitively.
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