Finite and Non-Finite Verbs with Examples

How will you understand in what tense the person is referring? With the help of verbs, they use in the sentence. In the English language, verbs hold a significant position. Through this English session with EnglishBix, you will be learning about the Finite and Non-finite Verbs. 

Verbs referring to the past or the present form are denoted as the FINITE verbs. If the verbs take any different form apart from the past or present, it is denoted as NONFINITE verbs. Usually, the Non-Finite Verbs will have a suffix of -ing or -ed in the words. It will be easy for people to understand what type of verb they are referring to.  In simple words, if the verbs in English work with the tenses, categorize them as finite. The verbs that are not using any tense form will be categorized into non-finite terms. It is essential to understand the difference between non-finite and finite verbs. It will help in enhancing your grammar and sentence formation. 

In a sentence, there is ordinarily in any event one Verbs word that has both a subject and a strained. At the point when a Verbs word has a subject and a strained, it very well may be alluded to as a limited Verbs word. A few types of a Verbs word are alluded to as non-limited.

The present and past participles and the to infinitive are the most well-known of these. The base structure is regularly utilized in a non-limited manner. Each Verbs word can be utilized in a statement in either a limited or non-limited manner.

What are Finite Verbs?

A finite verb is a form of action that shows an agreement with the topic and is marked with time. 

If there is one verb in a sentence, that verb is finite. Finite verbs are sometimes called key verbs or active verbs.

Finite verbs have a tendency to alter their forms if they observe a change in the subject or number of subjects. The finite verbs will define unique forms in varied tenses. 

The reason why limited actions are so important is because of their unique ability to act as sentence roots. They can be used as the only verb in a sentence, and all the rest must depend on another word.

For example, take the following sentence:

  • The child runs to the school to collect his notebooks.

“Runs” refers to the verb form ‘Finite’. Why is it so? A finite verb is taking the subject into consideration and agreeing with the fact explained by the subject. Moreover, the verb is in the present tense. 

Examples of Finite Verbs in Sentences

In the following sentences, you will find the verbs as finite. These examples will improve your understanding of the verbs. 

  1. My eldest daughter wants to be a Barbie. (wants – finite)
  2. He worked hard to finish first. (worked – finite)
  3. He couldn’t solve the problem. (couldn’t solve – finite)
  4. This is human. (is – finite)
  5. Your success is your achievement. (is – finite)
  6. We rob the moving train.
  7. I ate all the leftovers with tonic.
  8. A boy’s best hobby is singing.
  9. We want the finest dining available at this place. And we want every specialized item here, and we want them at the earliest!
  10. You know how to swim, don’t you, Park?
  11. Get busy washing, or get busy dying.

What are Non-finite Verbs?

A nonfinite verb is not finite. The nonfinite verb cannot perform an action as the root of an independent clause. The nonfinite verb doesn’t change its form when the number of objects is changed.

Nonfinite verbs are not marked for tense and do not indicate agreement with the title.

There are 03 types of endless actions: infinitives, gerunds, and sharing:

A gerund refers to the noun form of the verb in English. Gerund words have a specialty to use -ing form in the end of the words. 

For example:

  • Hiking
  • Biking
  • Texting

An infinite form of action is an action in its basic form. Infinite can be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

Examples of Non-finite Verbs

  • It is risky to drive in this hilly area.
  • We are ready to sing now.
  • I felt it difficult to compromise.
  • I needed a sound sleep to relax my mind.
  • It is good to know that you can dance as well.
  • Walking is a good habit.
  • Running like a sprinter will not solve any problems.
  • Sleeping at night for 8hrs is healthy for all.
  • A flying kite is most thrilling.
  • He saw a sleeping dog at the roadside.
  • I respect working-class people.
  • I was missing the full moon night.
  • She was missing her son during dinner.

Summary:

EnglishBix is a perfect platform for learning English concepts. This guide will help you to learn about finite verbs and infinite verbs along with the usage of Gerunds. Check out the examples that you can use in the sentence while learning about finite and non-finite verbs. For more updates, stay tuned to the EnglishBix website!

Quick Links

  1. Examples of Strong and Weak Verbs
  2. List of Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

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