THE ACTIVE INFINITIVE. 
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of neighboring datival verbs and verbal phrases, we have, from the outset, the 
inflected infinitive as subject oftener than the uninflected. In accordance with 
this general principle we find that: — 
(1) Normally the Uninflected Infinitive is used to denote: 
(a) The subject of a few finite verbs. 
# Q>) The direct object of most verbs governing an accusative of the direct 
object. 
(c) The appositive to a noun or a pronoun. 
(d) Purpose after a few verbs of motion, of rest, of commanding and 
requesting. 
( e ) The predicative complement of (aa) the auxiliary verbs (except agan, 
which not infrequently has the inflected infinitive) and of ( bb ) verbs of motion 
and of rest, as in com fleogan and uton gangan. 
(/) The quasi-predicate of (aa) an accusative subject. 
(2) Normally the Inflected Infinitive is used to denote: 
(a) The subject of datival verbs and verbal phrases, especially when in 
proximity thereto. 
(b) The “ indirect case ” object of verbs governing a noun object in the 
genitive, or the dative, or the instrumental. 
(c) The predicate nominative after certain datival verb phrases. 
(d) The predicative complement of beon (wesan ) to denote necessity or 
obligation. 
(e) The “ indirect case ” adverbial modifier of (aa) verbs, to express (a) 
purpose, (js) result, (y) absolute relationship; and of (bb) adjectives, to express 
(a) specification, (/S) result. 
(/) The “ indirect case ” phrasal, adjectival modifier of nouns or pronouns, 
in which construction the infinitive usually represents a genitive or a dative 
case, but occasionally an instrumental case. 
(3) The Uninflected Infinitive and the Inflected Infinitive are each used to 
denote: 
(a) The object with a number of verbs of double regimen. 
(b) The adverbial (final) modifier of certain verbs (1) of motion and rest 
and (2) of giving, the uninflected infinitive in (1) representing the earlier (poet¬ 
ical) usage. 
(4) Datival verbs or verbal phrases at times attract what would normally 
be an uninflected infinitive into an inflected infinitive, especially if in proximity 
to the infinitive. 
(5) The presence of gerund or of gerundive in the Latin original (whether 
with or without a preposition) tends to the use of the inflected infinitive in 
Anglo-Saxon; as does, also, the presence of the Latin future participle. 
(6) Analogy at times upsets original conditions. 
(7) Naturally, in Late West Saxon the distinction between the two infini¬ 
tives is less strictly observed than in Early West Saxon; and, in keeping with 
the analytic trend of the English language, the inflected infinitive gains upon 
the uninflected infinitive. 
(8) Sporadically the Uninflected Infinitive is used to denote: 
(a) The subject of verbs that normally have the inflected infinitive. 
