SOME MORPHOLOGICAL AND SYNTACTIC FEATURES OF THE INFINITIVE IN ENGLISH
SOME MORPHOLOGICAL AND SYNTACTIC FEATURES OF THE INFINITIVE IN ENGLISH

Summary/Abstract: The infinitive is generally classified as a non-finite verb form that exhibits both verbal and nominal characteristics, placing it in an intermediate position between verbs and nouns. This study aims to examine the morphological and syntactic features of the English infinitive and to explain why it is considered a verbal noun despite the absence of nominal morphological categories. The research employs descriptive, comparative-historical, and qualitative linguistic methods. Examples drawn from the works of Oscar Wilde and Harper Lee are analyzed to identify the grammatical properties and syntactic functions of infinitival constructions. The findings indicate that, from a morphological perspective, the infinitive expresses only verbal categories, including aspect, voice, and relative tense, while lacking nominal categories such as number and case. However, its nominal character becomes evident through its syntactic behavior. The infinitive can function as a subject, object, attribute, predicative complement, adverbial modifier of purpose, component of a compound predicate, and element of complex object constructions. These findings demonstrate that the classification of the infinitive as a verbal noun is primarily justified by its syntactic functions rather than by its morphological properties. The study contributes to a better understanding of the dual nature of the infinitive and provides theoretical and pedagogical insights for the study and teaching of English grammar.

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