Infinitive, << ihn FIHN uh tihv, >> is the simple or base form of a verb, such as go, see, watch, or do. It is often combined with the word to, which is sometimes called the sign of the infinitive. People typically use the infinitive form—for example, to go or to see—to refer to a verb.
The word infinitive comes from a Latin word meaning not limited. Infinitives are unlimited in the sense that no subject affects their form. Verbs that are affected by subjects are called finite << FY nyt >> because they show features of person, number, tense, and mood. For example, the word goes in he goes is a finite verb.
A split infinitive is an expression in which one or more words–often adverbs–appear between the word to and the verb. To boldly go is a split infinitive. Split infinitives were once considered objectionable. A majority of experts now permit them, especially when the adverb seems suitably placed for proper emphasis.
Infinitives may function as the subject of a sentence (To swim is fun) or as a complement (The best solution is to leave). But they occur most often as parts of predicates, as in She tried to stop. Infinitives without the word to occur after such verbs as feel, help, let, see, and need, as in I let her (to) go. An infinitive without the word to may also be the object of a preposition, as in He did everything except (to) clean his room.
