How to pronounce infinitive
Say it like in-FIN-ih-tiv. Infinitive has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FIN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce infinitive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- FIN
- ih
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Infinitive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- FINSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of infinitive
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: in-FIN-ih-tiv.
What does infinitive mean?
- The infinitive mood or mode (a grammatical mood).
- A non-finite verb form considered neutral with respect to inflection; depending on language variously found used with auxiliary verbs, in subordinate clauses, or acting as a gerund, and often as the dictionary form.
- A verbal noun formed from the infinitive of a verb.
- Formed with the infinitive.
- Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined.
Where does infinitive come from?
From Middle English infenitife (“without end, in perpetuity”), from Late Latin īnfīnītīvus (“unlimited, indefinite”), from Latin īnfīnītus (“unlimited, infinite”).
Words that rhyme with infinitive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of infinitive.
Questions about saying infinitive
How do you pronounce infinitive?
Say in-FIN-ih-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈfɪnɪtɪv/. In British English it is /ˌɪnˈfɪnɪtɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in infinitive?
Infinitive has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FIN). Broken into parts: in · FIN · ih · tiv.
Is infinitive pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˌɪnˈfɪnɪtɪv/ (in-FIN-ih-tiv).