Finite and Non-finite Verbs

Definitions

• Finite Verbs
  • Change form according to the subject
  • Show tense
  • Example:
    • Brent likes running in marathons
      • "Likes" agrees with the subject (Brent)
      • Changing subject: "They like running in marathons"
      • Shows present tense
      • Past tense example: "Brent liked running in marathons"
• Non-finite Verbs
  • Do not change to match the subject
  • Do not show tense
  • Example: In the same sentence, "running" acts differently
    • Cannot be the main verb in a sentence

Types of Non-finite Verbs

1. Gerunds

   • Act as nouns
   • Examples:
     • Surfing is great fun
     • Brian was tired of waiting
     • Jasmine liked sitting under the tree
   • Non-finite verbs: surfing, waiting, sitting

2. Participles

   • Past and present participles
   • Act as adjectives and form verb tense with auxiliary verbs
   • Examples:
     • Wishing, warmed (acting as adjectives)
     • Playing, marking, decided (forming verb tense)
   • Non-finite because they do not change with the subject

3. Infinitives

   • Base form of a verb, usually preceded by "to"
   • Examples:
     • To swim, to know
     • Non-finite verbs: to travel, to visit, to become

Summary of Finite vs Non-finite

• Finite Verbs
  • Examples:
    • Is, was, likes, planned, fell, helps, ate
  • Indicate tense and change to match subject
• Non-finite Verbs
  • Examples:
    • Running, crying, to pass, writing, releasing, smoked
  • Do not change to match subject and do not show tense

Quiz Section

• Test yourself on finite and non-finite verbs.
• Remember:
  • Finite = changes form + shows tense
  • Non-finite = does not change + does not show tense