Substitute infinitive

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The substitute infinitive ( Latin infinitivus pro participio ) is a phenomenon in German grammar : In certain cases, an infinitive replaces the past participle .

According to the basic rules of the flexion of the verb are perfect and perfect progressive with have or be and formed the past participle. But if the participle is preceded by an infinitive construction, the substitute infinitive is used instead of the participle for certain verbs. In detail these are:

  • all modal verbs
  • the verbs need, mean, let, see, hear, feel, help (the use of the last three verbs varies).

The substitute infinitive usually takes the position at the end of the sentence; it is only used in cases in which the finite verb is not in the absolute end position (as in all examples below). This is also sometimes possible in subordinate clauses, where the predicate is closed at the end of the sentence, but within a compound predicate the finite verb can be brought forward; Details on this construction can be found in the article German Grammar # Order of Verbs .

Examples:

  • I didn't mean that . - I didn't mean to do that .
  • She saw it . - She had come to see .
  • You know you didn't need that . - You know that you didn't have to do that .
  • He had the book at home left . - He had the book lying at home leave .