Finite and Infinite Verb (non-finite)

UNIT V - GRAMMAR (Read more)

Finite Verb

Finite Verb changes its form according to the subject (eg: you like, she likes)

And it also shows tense (eg: run (present tense), ran (past tense))

Non-finite verbs

Non-finite verbs do not change to match the subject and

They do not show tense

For example

Brent likes running in marathons.

Take the verb likes it agrees with the subject we know this because if we were to change the subject to they.

For example

We would need to change the verb to reflect this likes becomes like.

They like running in marathons.

The verb like also shows us the tense the sentence is in present tense.

We can change the tense by altering this verb.

Brent liked running in marathons.

Now the sentence is showing past tense because the verb likes shows tense and has changes to match the subject it is a finite verb it is the main verb in the sentence.

The main verb of a sentence will always be finite it’s not the only verb in the sentence however running is also verb but it’s acting in a very different way it’s not showing tense and it didn’t change when we change the subject to they for these reasons running is non-finite verb and non-finite verb cannot be the main verb in a sentence.

There are three types of non-finite verbs 

1.        Gerunds

2.        Participles past and present

3.        Infinitives

Gerunds

Gerunds are verbs that act as nouns.

Look at these sentences and see if you can spot the non-finite verbs the gerunds

Example

1.        Surfing is great fun.

2.        Brain was tired of waiting.

3.        Jasmine likes sitting under the tree.

Surfing , waiting , and sitting  These words are all gerunds verbs acting as nouns they do not change to match subject and they do not show tense as such these verbs are non-finite

These words are finite is, was and likes they indicates tense and they have changed to match the subject

Participles past and present

Look at these sentences and see if you can spot the non-finite verbs the participles.

Example

1.        Tina threw a coin in the wishing well.

2.        She handed a warmed blanket to the patient.

3.        The team is playing on Friday.

4.        The teacher was marking the exams.

5.        I have decided to leave.

Look at these sentences and see if you can spot the non-finite verbs the participles.

Wishing, warmed, playing, marking and decided

Participles

A participle is a word that comes from a verb and can be used as an adjective or to form verb tenses

Present participle

Ends in "-ing" and is used for continuous tenses. 

For example, "jumping" is the present participle of "jump".

I am working.

He was singing.

They have been walking.

We will be staying.

She would have been expecting me.

Present participles as adjectives

I woke up to the smell of brewing coffee.

The dancing flames flickered in the fireplace.

This is so interesting!

Anna is amazing! She can do anything!

It was an amazing film.

the burning house.

Many of his paintings show the setting sun.

Present participles as nouns

I like swimming.

I enjoy reading in my free time.

Going to bed early is good for your health.

Learning a new language broadens your horizons.

Past participle

Past participles are usually formed by adding "-ed" to the end of a regular verb. 

For example, the past participle of "learn" is "learned". 

However, irregular verbs have different endings, such as "-en," "-n," "-ne," and "-t". 

For example, the past participle of "kneel" is "knelt".

It is used for perfect tenses and passive voice constructions. 

For example, "walked" is the past participle of "walk". 

Here are some more examples of past participles:

Eat: The past participle is "eaten" 

Feel: The past participle is "felt" 

Go: The past participle is "gone" 

Have: The past participle is "had" 

Fall: The past participle is "fallen" 

Know: The past participle is "known”

The participles are acting as adjectives in the first two sentences. (wishing, warmed)

In the last three sentences (playing, marking and decided ) they are forming verb tense with the help of auxiliary verbs (auxiliary verbs is, was and have) these verbs are non-finite because they do not change to match the subject and they do not show tense on their own.

Threw, handed, is, was and have

These verbs are finite verbs they indicate tense and they have changed to match the subject

Infinitives

Infinitives are the base form of a verb they are usually preceded by the word to.

For example

To swim.

To know.

Look at these sentences and see if you can spot the non-finite verbs the infinitives.

Example

1.        James planned to travel to Australia.

2.        The best time to visit is summer.

3.        Navneet wants to become a chef.

To travel, to visit and to become these are all infinitives they do not change to match the subject and they do not show tense they are non-finite verbs.  

Planned, is and wants these verbs are finite. They indicates tense and they have to match the subject

Find out the following underlined words in the sentences are finite or non-finite verbs

1.        Running by the pool is not allowed.

2.        The crying baby finally fell asleep.

3.        Jim failed to pass the course.

4.        Writing poems helps Lila relax.

5.        She is releasing a new album next week.

6.        Devid ate all the smoked ham.

Finite Verb changes its form according to the subject and it also shows tense.

Non-finite verbs do not change to match the subject and they do not show tense

These words are Non-finite running, crying, to pass, writing, releasing and smoked

These words are Finite is, fell, helps and ate.