alytical practical grammar - Toronto Public Library

ETYMOLOGY-VERB-TENSEs. 77
TENSE OF THE IMPERATIVE MOOD.
443. The Imperative mood has only the present tense, and that has
respect to the time of the command, exhortation, &c. The doing of the
thing commanded, must, of course, be posterior to the command requiring
it.
TENSES OF THE INFINITIVE MOOD.
444. The Infinitive mood has two tenses, the Present
and the Perfect.'" These do not so properly denote the
time of the action, &c., as its state (446 and 449); as,
" To write "-" To have written."
445. In the other moods, the time expressed by the tenses, is eetimated
from the time of speaking, which is always regarded as present; as, "I
wrote" (that is, in a time now past), "I write" (that is, in time now present),
"I shall write" (that is, in time now future). But the infinitive
represents the action or state expressed as present, not, however, always
at the time of speaking, but at the time indicated by the preceding verb,
or some other word in the sentence; as, "He wishes to write"-now-tomorrow-next
week, &c. ; "He wished to write" then (viz., at the time of
wishing, now past)-next day-this day-to-morrow, &c.; "He will wish to
write"-then (viz., at the time of wishing, now future)-next day, &c.
Hence the following definitions :-
446. 1st. The Present infinitive expresses au act or state not finished,
indefinitely, or at any time referred to, expressed or implied; as, "I wish
to write"-" I wished to go"-" Apt to teach."
447. The sign of the present infinitive is, to (549).
448. After the verb to be, the present infinitive is sometimes used to
express a future action or event; as, "He is to go;" "If he were to go,"
&c. (876-3).
449. 2