Grammar 2: The Infinitive

The Igbo Infinitive is a verb form representing 'to + any action'.

In Igbo, The Infinitive is formed by adding any verb root to the suffix " i " (pronounced ee - high toned).

Igbo Infinitive =  i + Verb Root

For instance, the infinitive of the verb root bia would be Ibia ( i + bia ).

Below is a list of verb roots and their infinitive forms showing how to form the Infinitive.

Verb Root	Infinitive	Meaning	Listen
Bia	Ibia	To Come	Ibia
Wẹ	Iwẹ	To Have, To Get, To Take
Mẹ	Imẹ	To Do, To Make
Si	Isi	To Say
Jẹ	Ijẹ	To Go
Ma	Ima	To Know
Nyẹ	Inyẹ	To Give
Chẹ	Ichẹ	To Think
Nẹ	Inẹ	To Look
Fụ	Ifụ	To See
Jụ	Ijụ	To Ask, To Refuse

Now you know how to form the Infinitive. It's really really easy. Whenever you want to say "To do something" you just add the infinitive marker "i" to the verb root!

"i" (infinitive marker) + "chẹ" (verb root meaning 'Think')

=

ichẹ

(To think)