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Infinitive vs Nonfinite - What's the difference?

infinitive | nonfinite |

In grammar terms the difference between infinitive and nonfinite

is that infinitive is formed with the infinitive while nonfinite is not finite.

As a noun infinitive

is 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.

infinitive

English

(wikipedia infinitive)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (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.

    • See also

    * gerund * supine * verb

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (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)
    • ----

    nonfinite

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Infinite.
  • (label) Not finite.
  • *
    • Although a finite I ( = INFL = INFLECTION) constituent is (overtly or covertly) inflected for TENSE or AGREEMENT properties, it should be obvious that a nonfinite' I in English lacks these properties. Hence, the infinitival particle ''to'' which occurs in a '''nonfinite''' I is by its very nature ''tenseless'' and ''agreementless'' (i.e. it carries no Tense or Agreement properties, and is thus an entirely uninflected form). The difference between a ''finite'' and a ''nonfinite'' Clause can thus be seen to lie in the nature of I: a finite Clause is one which contains a finite I (carrying Tense and Agreement properties); a '''nonfinite''' Clause is one which contains a ' nonfinite I which is tenseless and agreementless.