Infinitives

The infinitive form of a verb is “to” plus the verb, so the infinitive form of the verb in the sentence “I write” is “to write”. We usually use the infinitive when we are talking about a verb. E.g. “I never use the verb ‘to effect’”. Infinitives can also be used in sentences: “I like to swim”; “To live is to love”; “Our mission is to go where no man has gone before”. When used in sentences, infinitives function as nouns.

See also split infinitives.