Category Archives: Finite, Non-Finite Verb

Finite and Non-Finite Verb

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** Finite Verb:

A finite verb is a verb which has a subject and shows tense. In short, it is a verb being a verb (i.e., a doing word) as opposed to a verbal (which is another part of speech formed from a verb).

Example..

Every sentence needs a finite verb. Look at these examples (with the finite verbs shaded):

  • He painted the fence. (In this example, painted is a finite verb.)
  • He varnished the painted fence.

(In this example, painted is a verbal. It’s actually a participle from the verb to paint, which is being used as an adjective. A verbal is another name for a non-finite verb.)

Here are some more examples:

  • You promised me the last ticket.
  • I am excited about going to the amusement park.
  • I went for a walk around the park.
  • Everyone wanted to go to the amusement park, but we only had four tickets.
  • On that dark day, the spirits rose from their graves to feast upon the living.
  • In that moment, it all became clear that the amusement park was a trap.

** Non-Finite Verbs:

A non-finite verb (also known as a verbal) is the term used to describe a verb that is not showing tense.

In other words, it a verb form which is not acting like a verb (or, at least, the type of verb you need to form a sentence).

There are three types of non-finite verbs: gerunds, infinitives, and participles. Look at these examples (non-finite verbs shaded):

  • I hate camping.

(Camping is a non-finite verb. In fact, it is a gerund, i.e., a noun formed from a verb. The giveaway for a gerund is the -ing ending.)

  • I want to go there.

(To go is a non-finite verb. It is an infinitive, i.e., the base form of a verb. The giveaway for an infinitive is often, but not always, the to before it.)

  • We ate our roasted marshmallows.

(Roasted is a non-finite verb. It is a participle, a type of adjective. There is no real giveaway for a participle, but lots of participles end in -ed and -ing.

Some more examples (non-finite verbs shaded):

  • I started screaming at my parents for trying to send me to camp.

(Screaming and trying – gerunds)
(To send – infinitive verb)

  • Arriving late, I saw the other kids and they seemed to be excited.

(Arriving – present participle)
(to be – infinitive verb)
(excited – past participle.)

  • We sang songs around the campfire and toasted marshmallows.

(There are no non-finite verbs in this example.)

# Link: Grammar Quiz.