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How did Futurist poets use infinitive verbs and mathematical symbols?

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Umberto Boccioni: Unique Forms of Continuity in Space — Futurism *Unique Forms of Continuity in Space*, bronze sculpture by Umberto Boccioni, 1913; in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

In the context of Futurism, poets utilized infinitive verbs and mathematical symbols as part of a broader effort to dismantle traditional syntax and create a more economical, bold, and "telegraphic" language.12

Led by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, the movement sought to strip away conventional linguistic elements, such as adjectives and adverbs, which were viewed as unnecessary constraints. By employing verbs in the infinitive form, poets could convey action and dynamism more directly, reflecting the movement's obsession with the speed and ruthlessness of the early 20th century.12

Mathematical signs and word pairings were similarly integrated to communicate information with greater efficiency and intensity. This approach, often referred to as "telegraphic lyricism," allowed poets to bypass standard grammatical structures, as seen in works like Marinetti’s "Battaglia peso + odore" (1912), where symbols were used to juxtapose concepts and mimic the rapid, fragmented experience of modern life and warfare.12