Infinitive-Based Constructions in Urdu

Overview

At the CEFR B2 level, learners should master advanced uses of the infinitive beyond basic verbal noun function. Urdu infinitives appear in obligation patterns, purpose clauses, profession descriptions (with والا), conditional expressions, and as subjects/objects in complex sentences.

The infinitive has two forms: direct (-نا) used as subject or after certain verbs, and oblique (-نے) used before postpositions and in many compound constructions.

How It Works

Infinitive as Subject

• سچ بولنا اچھی بات ہے (Telling the truth is a good thing)
• سگریٹ پینا منع ہے (Smoking is prohibited)

Oblique Infinitive + Postposition

Pattern	Example	Meaning
-نے + سے	آنے سے	by coming / from coming
-نے + پر	کہنے پر	upon saying
-نے + کو	جانے کو	about to go
-نے + والا	آنے والا	the one coming / about to come

Infinitive + سے for Cause/Means

• اس کے آنے سے سب خوش ہوئے (Everyone was happy by his coming)
• زیادہ کھانے سے بیمار ہو جاؤ گے (You'll get sick from eating too much)

Infinitive + سے انکار/منع

• اس نے جانے سے انکار کیا (He refused to go)
• یہاں کھیلنا منع ہے (Playing here is prohibited)

Examples in Context

Urdu	Transliteration	English	Note
سچ بولنا اچھی بات ہے۔	sach bolnā acchī bāt hai	Telling truth is a good thing.	Subject
اس کے آنے سے سب خوش ہوئے۔	us ke āne se sab khush hue	Everyone was happy by his coming.	Cause
یہاں سگریٹ پینا منع ہے۔	yahāṅ sigreṭ pīnā man' hai	Smoking is prohibited here.	Subject + prohibition
اس نے جانے سے انکار کیا۔	us ne jāne se inkār kiyā	He refused to go.	Refusal pattern
کھانا بنانے میں وقت لگتا ہے۔	khānā banāne meṅ vaqt lagtā hai	Cooking takes time.	Duration
پڑھنے کے لیے بیٹھو۔	paṛhne ke liye baiṭho	Sit down to study.	Purpose
بولنے سے پہلے سوچو۔	bolne se pahle socho	Think before speaking.	Temporal
اردو سیکھنا آسان نہیں۔	urdū sīkhnā āsān nahīṅ	Learning Urdu is not easy.	Subject

Common Mistakes

Using Direct Infinitive Before Postpositions

• Wrong: جانا سے پہلے
• Right: جانے سے پہلے
• Why: Before postpositions, the infinitive must be in oblique form (-نے).

Forgetting Possessive with Oblique Infinitive

• Wrong: وہ آنے سے
• Right: اس کے آنے سے (his/her coming)
• Why: When the infinitive has a subject, it takes the possessive construction.

Usage Notes

Infinitive constructions are extremely common in both spoken and written Urdu. They provide a compact way to express complex ideas about purpose, cause, time, and manner without requiring full subordinate clauses.

Practice Tips

• Practice converting full clauses to infinitive phrases: "before he came" → "اس کے آنے سے پہلے."
• Use infinitives as subjects in sentences about rules and opinions.
• Build purpose clauses with oblique infinitive + کے لیے.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Participial and Gerund Forms — Basic infinitive as verbal noun