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b-hebrew - RE: [b-hebrew] Infinitive Construct.

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  • From: Trevor Peterson <06PETERSON AT cua.edu>
  • To: B-Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: RE: [b-hebrew] Infinitive Construct.
  • Date: Fri, 21 May 2004 09:45:33 -0400

>===== Original Message From "wattswestmaas" <wattswestmaas AT eircom.net> =====
>It does appear that in a lot of the instances where an infinitive construct
>is used the Absolute would be just as correct (or is this to much leaning
>towards modern hebrew usage)?

Perhaps you should give some examples of what instances you have in mind.
>
>Also I am somewhat confused by the fact that some things are listed as inf
>construct and it first appeared as an inf absolute to me (ie a construct
>with a lamed prefixed)???

Again, examples of specific forms that gave you trouble might help here. With
a lamed prefix you can pretty much assume that you're dealing with a
construct.
>
>Is the primary purpose of the Inf.constuct in that it is a free-flowing verb
>form (ie, is not limited by gender and number) that MAY take prefixes and
>therefore grant more flexibilty to the writer.

Both infinitives are verbal nouns, which means they encapsule the verbal idea
in a non-finite (generally uninflected) form (hence the name). The inf. csr.
is particularly well-suited for taking prepositional prefixes (among other
things).

Trevor Peterson
CUA/Semitics





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