Infinitives and Participles

Richard Lindeman (richlind@ix.netcom.com)
Mon, 19 Aug 1996 08:30:49 -0700

I have noted that there is a great similarity in the uses
of the infinitive and of the participle. There are essentially
four primary uses of the infinitive:

1. For supplementing a verb.

2. For the formation of an independent clause - otherwise
known as the articular infinitive.

3. As a noun substitute - gerund.

4. For indirect discourse.

Parallel to this are the following uses of a participle:

1. Supplementary to a verb... supplementary participle

2. For the formation of an independent clause - otherwise
known as the circumstantial participle.

3. As a noun substitute... substantive use of participle

4. For indirect discourse.

I'm not sure that I have ever seen an infinitive used as an
adjective... being used in the attributive position as is often
the case with a participle. But I would not be surprised if
such examples did in fact exist.

Just sharing some recent thoughts.

Rich Lindeman

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