the meaning of to-infinitive?

[keannu]

Does "infinitive" of "to-infinitive" imply infinite usages? It can be used as noun, verb, adverb, etc. Is the name from such countless usages? If someone also has a good material or knows a good website to learn to-infinitive other than the following link, I would pretty much appreciate it.

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/verbs/infinitive

 

[teechar]

No, it's not about "infinite usage." It has nothing to do with that!

In English, verbs can be classified as "finite" and "non-finite." The "infinitive is a type of non-finite verb. Furthermore, you can have a full infinitive (also called the "to-infinitive") or a bare infinitive (without "to).

Have a look at the link below.
http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/infinitive_form.htm

 

[keannu]

I read the link, but still can't understand the difference between "finite verbs" and "non-finite(infinite) ones".
Can someone explain?

 

[teechar]

I read the link but still can't understand the difference between "finite verbs" and "non-finite [STRIKE](infinite)[/STRIKE] ones."
Can someone explain?

They are not called "infinite" verbs! The correct term is non-finite verbs. The reason they are called "non-finite" is because they don't indicate tense and don't have a subject.

Have a quick read of these links; it won't take long.

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/finite-and-non-finite-verbs
http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-lesson-finite-verb.php
http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-lesson-non-finite-verb.php

Then do the following online exercises.

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/verbs/finite.htm
http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-exercise-finite-non-finite-verb.php
https://www.llas.ac.uk/materialsbank/mb061/5.9/5.htm

Let us know if you still feel confused after that. ;-)