Singular vs Infinitive - What's the difference?
singular | infinitive |
Being only one of a larger population.
Being the only one of the kind; unique.
* Addison
* Chaucer
Distinguished by superiority; eminent; extraordinary; exceptional.
Out of the ordinary; curious.
* Denham
* Milton
(grammar) Referring to only one thing or person.
(linear algebra, of matrix) Having no inverse.
(linear algebra, of transformation) Having the property that the matrix of coefficients of the new variables has a determinant equal to zero.
(set theory, of a cardinal number) Not equal to its own .
(legal) Each; individual.
(obsolete) Engaged in by only one on a side; single.
* Holinshed
(grammar) A non-finite verb form considered neutral with respect to inflection; depending on language variously found used with auxilary verbs, in subordinate clauses, or acting as a gerund, and often as the dictionary form.
(grammar) A verbal noun formed from the infinitive of a verb.
(grammar) Formed with the infinitive.
Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined.
* Cunningham's Sermons (quoted in 1823 , The Edinburgh Christian Instructor , volume 23, page 328)
In grammar terms the difference between singular and infinitive
is that singular is a form of a word that refers to only one person or thing while infinitive is formed with the infinitive.singular
English
Alternative forms
* (abbreviation):Adjective
(en adjective)- A singular experiment cannot be regarded as scientific proof of the existence of a phenomenon.
- She has a singular personality.
- These busts of the emperors and empresses are all very scarce, and some of them almost singular in their kind.
- And God forbid that all a company / Should rue a singular man's folly.
- (Francis Bacon)
- a man of singular gravity or attainments
- It was very singular ; I don't know why he did it.
- So singular a sadness / Must have a cause as strange as the effect.
- His zeal / None seconded, as out of season judged, / Or singular and rash.
- to convey several parcels of land, all and singular
- to try the matter thus together in a singular combat