Finite and Non-Finite Verb Forms: Explanation and Practice
Finite verbs have a tense (past or present) and refer to a specific time or person. For example, verbs like walked, talked, and became are finite because they indicate when the action happened and often who does it. The person (subject) and sometimes the number (singular/plural) are also present.
Example:
Finite:
"We went shopping."
Non-finite verbs do not show tense, person, or number. They do not indicate when an action occurs.
Example:
Non-finite:
"I like to shop."
In a sentence with two verbs, one is finite, and the other is non-finite.
For example, in the sentence
"She was writing a letter home today," was is finite (indicating tense and subject), while writing is non-finite.
When to Use Finite Verbs
Finite verbs:
Indicate tense, person, or number.
Act as the main verb in a sentence, showing who is doing the action and when it is happening.
Examples:
He wrote a letter.
Laura wrote a letter.
They wrote letters.
In other words, finite verbs tell us what happened:
He ate lunch every day.
My parents cleaned on the weekend.
She danced at the ball.
When to Use Non-Finite Verbs
Non-finite verbs do not specify when an action occurs. They often add detail or description to a sentence without indicating tense. If there are two verbs in a sentence, the first is usually finite, and the second is non-finite.
Examples:
She has to write a birthday card.
He must eat less food.
Non-finite verbs can take three forms:
Infinitive (to + verb): Describes an action not yet completed.
He likes to eat seafood.
She wants to eat lunch.
Gerund (-ing form): Describes an ongoing activity.
Cleaning is good exercise.
Dancing is healthy.
Past Participle: Describes a completed action or serves as an adjective.
The writing paper is thick.
The ballerina is dancing.
Exercises
Exercise 1:
Fill in the gaps using the correct verb form and identify whether it's finite or non-finite.
He ………… (to shop) on Thursday. (finite)
She …………(to be) tired and worn. (finite)
They …………. (watch) TV in the evening. (finite)
I ………….. (clean) the house. (finite)
John has always liked to …………. (read) books. (non-finite)
Exercise 2:
Identify the non-finite verb form and complete the sentence.
……………… in the park is relaxing. (walk)
………….. is addictive. (eat)
………, I sent some postcards. (be)
I like ………... (fish)
Jo will ……… the bill. (pay)
Exercise 3:
Compare the finite and non-finite forms. Can you see if one indicates a completed action, while the other does not specify when it’s done?
Finite: She walked to the store, bought some groceries, and returned home.
Non-finite: Walking to the store, ............ some groceries, and .............. home.
Finite: He writes daily, creates art, and enjoys cooking.
Non-finite: ......... daily, ............. art, and ......... cooking.
Finite: We .......... hard, ........... knowledge, and ........... experience. Each action we take is finite and defines our journey.
Non-finite: Studying hard, seeking knowledge, and gaining experience. Each action is ......... in our journey.
Conclusion
Finite verbs give meaning to a sentence by indicating time, person, or number. They are essential in completing a sentence.
Non-finite verbs describe actions without specifying when they occur. They add detail and can be used alongside finite verbs for richer descriptions.
For instance:
Instead of saying, “He ran a race,” you might say, “He likes to run races,” indicating an ongoing action or preference rather than a completed event.
Answers
Exercise 1 (solutions)
He went (to shop) on Thursday. (finite)
She was (to be) tired and worn. (finite)
They watched (watch) TV in the evening. (finite)
I cleaned (clean) the house. (finite)
John has always liked to read (read) books. (non-finite)
Exercise 2 (solutions)
Walking
Eating
Being
Fishing
Paying