What are finite and non-finite verbs? Grammar Toolkit Finite and non-finite verbs What are finite and non-finite verbs?

Grammar Toolkit Finite and non-finite verbs Verbs have different forms because an action — such as dancing — can be described in different ways. Zeke is dancing. Zeke dances. Zeke danced. Zeke has danced. Zeke must dance. Zeke is going to dance. Zeke will dance.

Grammar Toolkit Finite and non-finite verbs The main clause of a sentence needs a verb with a subject and with a tense, to locate the action in time. Tayla danced The verb and subject make sense together. A non-finite verb doesn’t have a subject or tense and cannot be the main verb in a clause. Tayla to dance The verb doesn’t make sense with a subject.

An infinitive is often preceded by to. Grammar Toolkit Finite and non-finite verbs There are two kinds of non-finite verbs: infinitives and participles. An infinitive is the basic form of a verb — the verb can’t get any smaller. look touch clean cook to to to to An infinitive is often preceded by to.

Grammar Toolkit Finite and non-finite verbs The present participle is the basic verb plus ing. It shows that an action is occurring. looking touching cleaning cooking This form of the verb can also be used as a noun, in which case it is called a gerund. Cooking is my favourite hobby. It can also be used as an adjective, in which case it is called a verbal adjective. I should open a cooking school!

looked touched cleaned cooked Grammar Toolkit Finite and non-finite verbs For most verbs, the past participle is the basic verb plus ed. It’s the same as the past tense of the verb and shows that an action has been completed. looked touched cleaned cooked For some verbs with more than one syllable, the final consonant is doubled. Check a dictionary for the spelling of past participles. preferred travelled hiccupped

Form the infinitives and participles of these verbs. Grammar Toolkit Finite and non-finite verbs Form the infinitives and participles of these verbs. infinitive to + infinitive present participle past participle skip to skip skipping skipped fire firing paint to painted adore babble to fired paint painting to adore adoring adored to babble babbling babbled

Verbs have different forms. Grammar Toolkit Finite and non-finite verbs Verbs have different forms. A finite verb is a verb with a subject and tense. A non-finite verb doesn’t have a subject or tense and cannot be the main verb in a sentence. Non-finite verbs are either: - infinitives (basic verb, often preceded by to) - present participles (basic verb + ing ending) - past participles (basic verb + ed ending). Present participles can also act as nouns (gerunds) and adjectives (verbal adjectives).

Grammar Toolkit Finite and non-finite verbs The End