FINITE AND NON-FINITE VERBS

Finite and Non-Finite Verbs

1.     Finite Verbs

            A finite verb is a verb that has a subject and shows inflections. A finite verb shows tense (past/present), number (singular/plural) and person (I, you, it etc.). It is often the main verb of a sentence and can be changed according to the subject.

For example :

·         He promised me to send a letter.

(Here, promised act as the main verb in the sentence; therefore, it is in its finite form.)

·         The promised letter never arrived.

(Here, promised does not act as a verb. It merely describes the letter. The main verb of this sentence is arrived.)

            Finite Verbs are those verbs that have a definite relation with the subject or noun. These verbs are usually the main verb of a clause or sentence and can be changed according to the noun. They are used only in present and past tense. They can be indicative of passive or active voice and also of number (singular or plural).

For example :

·         She walks home.

(Here we see that the finite verb is walks and the pronoun is 'she'.)

·         She walked home.

(Here we can see how the verb changed/modified to change the tense of the sentence.)

            Finite verb forms are marked by inflection and indicate person, number and tense.  A finite verb can be the single main verb in a sentence.

For example, the finite forms of the verb go are:

• go (present tense in all persons except the third person singular)

I go to school in the afternoon.

• goes (present tense in the third person singular)

Mia goes to school by bus every day.

• went (past tense)

Yesterday, we went to school at 9 am.

2.    Non-Finite Verbs

            Non-finite verbs are the verb forms that do not indicate tense, person or number. Non-finite verb forms are never used as the main verb of a sentence. In fact, non-finite verbs do not act as a verb; they are often  used as noun, adjectives, and adverbs. Non-finite verbs are also called verbals. There are three types of non-finite verb forms or verbals.

• Gerunds: A gerund is formed by adding –ing to the verb. It functions as a noun.

For example:

·         Are you into reading?

·         Sailing is my favorite sport.

·         I love reading.

·         Reading helps you to learn.

·         He loves camping in the woods.

• Participle: Participles are classified into two groups: past participles (formed by adding –ed to regular verbs) and present participles (formed by adding –ing to the verbs). They act as adjectives.

For example:

·         The sleeping cat is brown.

·         The freshly picked tomatoes look delicious.

·         I am going to the store.

·         The kids were dropped off at school.

·         The injured man was rushed to the hospital.

·         Dancing girls were the next to perform.

·         The sleeping dog caused a delay. (The non-finite verbs that have ‘-ing’ or ‘-ed’ as suffixes and cause the verb to come an adjective)

• Infinitives: An infinitive is a verb in its base form. It is often preceded by to. An infinitive can function as a noun, adjective, and adverb. Infinitives are noninflected verbs that are often preceded by to. They may function as adverbs.

For example :

·         I struggle to understand.

·         To read is good for the mind.

·         I don’t have time to eat.

·         I love to read.

·         He was asked to leave the room.

·         Observe the flowing sentences and try to identify the verbals or nonfinite verbs.

·         Mary wanted to buy a new book.

·         By the time the police arrived, the thief had vanished.

·         Collecting stamps is one of her hobbies.        

·         They are going on a date tonight.

·         She loves to play with dolls.

·         I need to go to sleep. (Here the non- finite verb phrase is to sleep, it is acting as a noun.)

The non-finite forms of the verb go are:

• go (infinitive)

I can't go with you.
Unfortunately, she had to go.
Do you really go out with her?
I didn't go to work today.
I want to go home.

• going (gerund)

I like going to the cinema.
Carol suggested going for a walk.
Going faster would have been really dangerous.

• gone (past participle)

Jack has gone away on holiday.
By the time Sue returned, the others had gone back to their cars.
I wish I had gone to university.

• going (present participle)

I'm going to a concert tonight.
I heard my dad going up the stairs.
Going across the bridge last night, I saw someone swimming in the river

To find a non-finite verb, check:

• Is it a noun?

(Does it end -ing?. See gerunds.)

• Is it an infinitive?

(Is it preceded by to. See infinitive verbs.)

• Is it a participle?

(Does it end -ed or -ing and is it being used like an adjective? See participles.)

3.    The Differences Between Finite and Non-finite Verbs

Verb :

Finite verb forms act as a verb.

Non-finite verb forms do not act as a verb.

Function :

Finite Verbs act as the main verb of a sentence or a clause.

Non-finite Verbs act as nouns, adjectives and adverbs.

Number, person and tense :

Finite Verbs indicate number, person and tense.

Non-finite Verbs do not indicate number, person and tense.

Inflections :

Finite Verbs are marked by inflections.

Non-finite Verbs remain unchanged.

Use :

Finite Verbs are used in the present tense and past tense.

Non-finite Verbs are infinitive, gerunds and participles.