Editing Infinitive (section)

==Phrases and clauses==
An ''infinitive phrase'' is a [[verb phrase]] constructed with the verb in infinitive form. This consists of the verb together with its [[object (grammar)|object]]s and other [[complement (grammar)|complement]]s and [[modifier (grammar)|modifier]]s. Some examples of infinitive phrases in English are given below – these may be based on either the full infinitive (introduced by the [[grammatical particle|particle]] ''to'') or the bare infinitive (without the particle ''to'').
*(to) sleep
*(to) write ten letters
*(to) go to the store for a pound of sugar

Infinitive phrases often have an implied [[grammatical subject]] making them effectively [[clause]]s rather than phrases. Such ''infinitive clauses'' or ''infinitival clauses'', are one of several kinds of [[non-finite clause]]. They can play various grammatical roles like a [[constituent (linguistics)|constituent]] of a larger clause or sentence; for example it may form a [[noun phrase]] or [[adverb]]. Infinitival clauses may be embedded within each other in complex ways, like in the sentence:
*I want to tell you that John Welborn is going to get married to Blair. 
Here the infinitival clause ''to get married'' is contained within the finite [[dependent clause]] ''that John Welborn is going to get married to Blair''; this in turn is contained within another infinitival clause, which is contained in the finite [[independent clause]] (the whole sentence).

The grammatical structure of an infinitival clause may differ from that of a corresponding finite clause. For example, in [[German grammar|German]], the infinitive form of the verb usually goes to the end of its clause, whereas a finite verb (in an independent clause) typically comes in [[V2 word order|second position]].