The infinitive (Forms of the Infinitive) is a noun, so it goes wherever a noun can go. Three uses cover most of what you will read.
Key idea
Why it works
| Use | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| after a preposition | r sḏm mdt | in order to hear the words |
| after a preposition | ḥr ḏd mꜣꜥt | saying the truth |
| object of a verb | mr.n=j sḏm mdt=k | I loved to hear your words |
| caption | rdjt ḥtp n nṯr | Giving an offering to the god |
| title | rꜣ n prt m hrw | Spell for going out by day |
Worked example: A caption
- rdjt is the infinitive of rdj "give" (with the -t of the weak verbs).
- It stands alone at the head of the caption, naming the action.
- ḥtp "an offering" is its object; n nṯr "to the god".
Answer: "Giving an offering to the god."
Worked example: A famous title
- rꜣ "spell" (literally "mouth, utterance"), n "of, for".
- prt is the infinitive of prj "go out", a third-weak verb, with its -t.
- m hrw "by day".
Answer: The infinitive "going out": "Spell for going out by day".
When you meet a verb after a preposition, try both English renderings and keep the one that sounds natural. ḥr with an infinitive usually wants "-ing" ("saying"), r with an infinitive after a verb of motion usually wants "to" ("he came to hear"), and m with an infinitive of a verb of motion wants "-ing" again ("coming"). Each of these grows into a construction of its own later in the course.
Common mistake
The pseudoverbal construction, "he is hearing", is built from the first use, a preposition with an infinitive. You will meet it in The Pseudoverbal Construction.