what is an infinitive?

Question

what is an infinitive?

Answer 1

Hi 32. When I took Spanish in high school, I didn't get this at all.

And the first infinitive I learned was "ser", which they said meant "to be". I didn't get that either.

Here is the deal. In English, we express the infinitive form by adding "to" before the word.

So the infinitive of "walk" in English is "to walk" And so forth. The infinitive expresses the concept of what the verb is all about.

In Spanish, the dictionary entry of a verb is always in the infinitive form.

So hablar means "to talk".

Vivir means "to live".

Comer means "to eat".

And so forth.

Ser is a nice infinitive to start you off with. I would have given up right away. - 0074b507, MAR 8, 2010

Answer 2

Thanks fellas =)

I see that you have grasped the Spanish masculine attitude...1 guy and two gals still =fellas - 0074b507, MAR 8, 2010

Answer 3

It is the basic verb, not conjugated.

comer-to eat

hablar-to speak

ir-to go

Once they are conjugated, they are no longer infinitives.

Ellos comen.

Yo hablo español.

Vamos a ir de compras.

Answer 4

Hi 32 Welcome to the forum.

an "infinitive" is a verb that has not been conjugated yet.

Examples:

comer

vivir

hablar