complementary infinitive

A complementary infinitive is a use of the infinitive to complete the meaning of a verb. They usually occur with certain verbs.

I am able to finish this paper.

I desire to marry this girl.

I began to work on the project.

The above infinitive phrases are called “complementary” because they are the complement of the main verb of the sentence.

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Greek:

The infinitive will be anarthrous. cf. BBG 32.14; GGBB p. 598. The primary clue is the verb it completes. The following verbs often take complementary infinitives:

αρχομαι,
βουλομαι,
δυναμαι (always takes a complementary infinitive),
επιτρεπω,
ζητεω,
θελω,
μελλω,
οφειλω.

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Hebrew:

What was said above also applies to Hebrew.  Hebrew infinitives are often complementary after the same verbs as listed above.

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