REMARQUES SUR LE DOUBLE STATUT DE L'INFINITIF (EXEMPLES EMPRUNTÉS AUX „NUITS” D'ALFRED DE MUSSET)
UPON THE DOUBLE STATUTE OF THE INFINITIVE (THE EXAMPLES WERE CHOSEN FROM ALFRED DE MUSSET’S „THE NIGHTS”)

Summary/Abstract: In the present article we shall focus our attention upon the double statute of the infinitive as a noun and verb. This is why it is also called “the nominal form of the verb”. The infinitive is able to perform all functions of the noun and of the verb, and even to substantivize, in case of a noun, by the aid of an article. In many situations, the two values –nominal and verbal –are simultaneously represented. In order to present things in a clearer way, we have thought to examine them separately: in the first part, we shall insist upon the functions performed by the infinitive. In the second part, we continue our analysis of the verbal functioning of the infinitive, when it has the value of the sentence predicate.We have also wanted to show the enunciator’s difficulty in parsing some constructions which contain the infinitive. For a better exemplification of this particular function of the infinitive, we have grounded this paper on the fragments from Alfred de Musset’s poems Les Nuits / The Nights. In his work, the poet points out the stylistic potential of the infinitive, and he shows the way it forms part of some figures of speech.

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