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"infinitive"

By Richard Nordquist, About.com

Definition:

A verbal--often preceded by the particle to--that can function as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

Etymology:

From the Latin, "infinite"

Examples:

  • "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."
    (Mark Twain)


  • "A jury consists of twelve persons chosen to decide who has the better lawyer."
    (Robert Frost)


  • "Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save."
    (Will Rogers)


  • "A celebrity is a person who works hard all his life to become well known, then wears dark glasses to avoid being recognized."
    (Fred Allen)


  • "So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."
    (President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1932)


  • "It's not that I'm afraid to die, I just don't want to be there when it happens."
    (Woody Allen)


  • "I intend to live forever. So far, so good."
    (Steven Wright)


  • "I didn't mean to be a role model. I just speak my truth. I guess speaking from your heart really creates a huge impact, and if I can encourage people to do that, then I would love to be a role model. If I could encourage people to use their voices loudly, then that's my reward."
    (Margaret Cho)

Pronunciation: in-FIN-i-tivAudio Link

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