English Finite and Nonfinite Verbs, Definition and Example Sentences
Table of Contents
Finite and Nonfinite Verbs
Verbs with past or present form are called finite verbs. Verbs in any other form (-ed or –ing, infinitive) are called nonfinite verbs. This means that tense verbs are finite and nonfinite verbs are unlimited. The distinction between finite and nonfinite verbs is very important in grammar because it affects how verbs behave in sentences. Let’s take a closer look at the finite and nonfinite elephants;
Finite Verbs
Every sentence needs a finite verb. The main verb in every sentence is a finite verb. In this training, finite verbs are shadowed in all examples in his article.
Examples:
- Tommy is angry. (The “is” in this example is known as the finite verb. The subject is “Tommy.” The time given in this sentence is the current tense.)
- Elissa painted the her home. (The word “painted” in this example functions as a finite verb. The subject is “Elissa” and the time given in this sentence is past tense.
- They was varnishing the painted their garden. (The ‘was” in this example functions as a finite verb. The subject is’ ‘they’ ‘and the time given in this sentence is past tense)
Nonfinite Verbs
A nonfinite verb (also known as verbal) is the term used to describe a verb that does not show tension. In other words, it is a form of verb that does not act like a verb, or it is known as the verb type needed to form at least one sentence. Therefore, a non-finite verb is never the main verb of a sentence. On the contrary, this is a finite verb. There are three different nonfinite fillings. These;
- Participles
A kind is a verb form that can function as an adjective. There are two types of forms. These; current (- end) and past (usually ending with ed, -d, -t, -en or -n).
Example: Healthy food is an important for diet.
- Infinitives
An infinitive is a form of verb that can function as a noun, an adjective, or an envelope, and is generally preceded by it. An infinitive usually appears in an infinitive sentence. It consists of an infinite sentence, infinitive and any object and modifier. In the example, the infinite expressions are underlined.
Example: Hallen needed to find a lot of Dollars slowly.
- Gerunds
Gerunds retains some verb-like properties. For example, it can take objects and be replaced by envelopes. Therefore, a germ will generally appear in a germ statement consisting of any object and modifier. In these examples, the expressions are underlined.
Example: A recent discovery consists of thinking what nobody is thinking and seeing what every person sees.
