What arefinite and

non-finite verbs?

Grammar Toolkit

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.to dance

The verb doesn’t make sense with a subject.Tayla

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 cookto

An infinitive is often preceded by to.

to to to

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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!

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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

infinitive to + infinitive present participle past participle

skip to skip skipping skipped

fire fire firing

paint to painted

adore

babble

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Finite and non-finite verbs

Form the infinitives and participles of these verbs.

to

paint

to adore

to babble

painting

adoring

babbling

fired

adored

babbled

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

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