Infinitive - Onbepaalde wijs

Click here for self-correcting exercises on the infinitive.
The infinitive is the form of the verb that you would find in the dictionary. Most Dutch infinitives end in –en. Exceptions to this rule are gaan (to go), doen (to do) and zijn (to be). Some examples of Dutch infinitives are:

bellen to ring
helpen to help
ontmoeten to meet
uitnodigen to invite

In this context it is important to mention the term finite verb. The finite verb is the conjugated form of a verb. A finite verb matches the subject of the sentence in person and number. This is called agreement. Check the grammar index on the present tense and past tense for a detailed description on how to conjugate verbs.

Note that the finite verb looks like the infinitive in the plural of the first, second (informal) and third persons. However, these forms are not infinitives, but finite verbs:

1st person plural Wij helpen Alan. We help Alan.
2nd person plural Jullie ontmoeten Rik. You (plural) meet Rik.
3rd person plural Alan en Kenny nodigen hen uit. Alan and Kenny invite them.

In the last example, the form of the separable verb uitnodigen clearly demonstrates that the verb has been conjugated.