ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G03-027 · ATLAS 259

Infinitive

An infinitive is a non-finite verb form with language-specific verbal and sometimes nominal properties.

Part of the subject path Syntax and Grammar

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

G · Foundational concept R2 · Necessary foundation

Infinitive is needed to compare nonfinite forms and their nominal as well as verbal uses. These mixed properties are language-specific rather than constituting an identical word class everywhere.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

An infinitive is a nonfinite verb form. In German it serves, among other functions, as a dictionary citation form and occurs in several verb combinations and infinitival constructions. Its shape does not determine the structure of the whole sentence. The links from raising and control show how similar infinitives participate in different relationships among participants. German zu is not a universal diagnostic either: infinitives occur with and without it. The entry therefore distinguishes morphological form from syntactic embedding and the distribution of semantic roles.

Movement of thought

1. Identify the verb form. 2. Examine the embedding predicate and construction. 3. Identify the understood participants. 4. Test raising and control as distinct analyses. 5. Limit the morphological description to the language examined.

Scientific use case

Syntactic research can compare embedding predicates and test their role assignments and distributional restrictions.

Example

“Nora seems to sleep” and “Nora tries to sleep” contain the same infinitive. Try additionally assigns Nora a role in the higher trying event.

Counterexample

The absence of to in “Nora can sleep” does not make sleep finite in that construction.

Distinction

Distinguish infinitive form, finite form, nominalised use and the full infinitival construction.

Effect on thought and perception

Infinitives show why similar form need not imply identical structure.

Resonance

An action remains available for different embeddings: as possibility, attempt or apparent state of affairs.

Provenance

Parallel source review reconciled 2026-10-07; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Infinitive“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G03-027. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G03-027

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G03-027

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.