| Lufian | =to love | =amare. |
| Bærnan | =to burn | =urere. |
| Syllan | =to give | =dare. |
Be it observed, that the -en in words like strengthen, &c., is a derivational termination, and by no means a representation of the Anglo-Saxon infinitive inflection. The Anglo-Saxon infinitive inflection is lost in the present English, except in certain provincial dialects.
In Anglo-Saxon the dative of the infinitive verb ended in -nne, and was (as a matter of syntax) generally, perhaps always, preceded by the preposition to.
| To lufienne | =ad amandum. |
| To bærnenne | =ad urendum. |
| To syllanne | =ad dandum. |
The genitive, ending in -es, occurs only in Old High German and Modern High German, plâsannes, weinnenes.
[§ 346]. With these preliminaries we can take a clear view of the English infinitives. They exist under two forms, and are referable to a double origin.
1. The independent form.—This is used after the words can, may, shall, will, and some others, as, I can speak, I may go, I shall come, I will move. Here there is no preposition, and the origin of the infinitive is from the form in -an.
2. The prepositional form.—This is used after the majority of English verbs, as I wish to speak, I mean to go, I intend to come, I determine to move. Here we have the preposition to and the origin of the infinitive is from the form in -nne.
Expressions like to err=error, to forgive=forgiveness, in lines like
To err is human, to forgive divine,