how to pronounce infinitive

/ɪnˈfɪn.ɪ.tɪv/

audio example by a male speaker

audio example by a female speaker

the above transcription of infinitive is a detailed (narrow) transcription according to the rules of the International Phonetic Association; you can find a description of each symbol by clicking the phoneme buttons in the secction below.

infinitive is pronounced in four syllables

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1.

2.

3.

4. example pitch curve for pronunciation of infinitive

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video examples of infinitive pronunciation

An example use of infinitive in a speech by a native speaker of british english:

“… you can't split an infinitive in latin …”

meanings of infinitive

noun:

A non-finite verb form considered neutral with respect to inflection; depending on language variously found used with auxiliary verbs, in subordinate clauses, or acting as a gerund, and often as the dictionary form.
A verbal noun formed from the infinitive of a verb.
The infinitive mood or mode (a grammatical mood).

adjective:

Formed with the infinitive.
Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined.

infinitive frequency in english - C1 level of CEFR

the word infinitive occurs in english on average 7.2 times per one million words; this frequency warrants it to be in the study list for C1 level of language mastery according to CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference.