Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Diplomski Rad - Non Finite Verb Forms
Diplomski Rad - Non Finite Verb Forms
NAZIV FAKULTETA
ZAVRNI RAD
NEFINITINI GLAGOLSKI OBLICI
Mentor:
Kandidat:
Ime i prezime
NAME OF UNIVERSITY
NAME OF FACULTY
DIPLOMA THESIS
NON-FINITE VERB FORMS
Mentor:
Candidate:
CONTENT
1.
INTRODUCTION..................................................................................1
1.1. Types and Uses of Non-finite clauses............................................2
2.
INFINITIVE..........................................................................................3
2.1. Repetition of the particle to.......................................................5
2.2. Syntactic functions of the infinitive..............................................7
2.3. Infinitive phrases..........................................................................8
2.4. Infinitive constructions.................................................................9
2.4.1. For-to-infinitive construction...................................................9
2.4.2. The
Objective-with-the-Infinitive
Construction
(Complex
Object).............................................................................................10
2.4.3. The subjective-(or nominative)-with-the-infinitive construction
11
2.4.4. Absolute Infinitive Construction............................................12
3.
GERUND...........................................................................................13
3.1. Syntactic functions of the gerund...............................................14
3.2. Gerundial complex......................................................................16
3.3. Gerund versus Infinitive..............................................................17
4.
PARTICIPLE I.....................................................................................20
4.1. Syntactic functions of Participle I................................................21
4.2. Predicative constructions with Participle I..................................23
4.2.1. The Objective Participial Construction..................................23
4.2.2. Participle I as part of Complex Subject.................................23
4.2.3. The Nominative Absolute Participial Construction................23
4.2.4. Prepositional Absolute Participial Construction.....................24
4.3. Participle I versus Gerund...........................................................24
5.
PARTICIPLE II....................................................................................26
5.1. Syntactic functions of Participle II...............................................27
5.2. Predicative constructions with Participle II.................................28
5.2.1. The Objective Participial Construction..................................28
5.2.2. The
Nominative
Absolute
Participial
Construction
with
Participle II.......................................................................................29
5.2.3. Prepositional Absolute Construction with Participle II...........29
6.
CONCLUSION....................................................................................30
7.
REFERENCES....................................................................................35
8.
1. INTRODUCTION
Verbs which have the past or the present form are called finite verbs.
Verbs in any other form (infinitive, ing, or ed) are called nonfinite verbs.
This means that verbs with tense are finite, and verbs without tense are
nonfinite. The distinction between finite and nonfinite verbs is a very
important one in grammar, since it affects how verbs behave in
sentences.
General characteristics:
grammatical subject;
they combine the characteristics of a verb with those of some
infinitival;
gerundive and
participial.
The structure of the presentation will be the following. The main division
will be made into infinitival, gerundive and participial clauses. Such
approach aims to reflect the semantics of the individual formal types of
clauses (infinitival, gerundive, participial) and find out how the meaning
of these clauses influences the possibility of seeing them as condensed
full clauses.
2. INFINITIVE
The infinitive names a process in a most general way. It combines
verbal features (morphological and syntactical) with those of the noun.
In all its forms and functions the infinitive has a special marker, the
particle to. It is occasionally separated from the infinitive by some other
words, more often an adverb or emphatic particles: They were seen to
just touch each others hands. This separation is acceptable only to give
special emphasis to the verb.2
introduction letter);
after the verb to know in the meaning to experience, to observe
(usually used in the perfect form): Have you ever known him tell a
lie?;
after phrases with but (cannot but, do anything but, do nothing
Remember fairly idiomatic phrases: hear tell, make believe, and let
(it) slip: I never heard tell of it! (= was never told/ had no idea); He
made believe that he had settled everything himself (= pretended);
She let (it) slip that she's getting married (= said it unintentionally).
Notice also the phrases make do and let go: Mary borrowed my trendy
summer dress, so I had to make do with the old one (it wasn't the one I
wanted); Let go of my hand! (relax grip on).
would
like,
would
love,
would
prefer
(to
express
specific
Aspect
Common
Active voice
to discuss
Passive voice
to be discussed
Perfect
Continuous
Common
to be discussing
to have discussed
To
Continuous
to
discussed
have
been
have
been
discussing
Source: Walker E., Elsworth S. (2000), p 111.
The active form of the infinitive may have a passive meaning: There
was only one problem to solve. It can be replaced by the corresponding
passive form: He is to forgive He is to be forgiven; Shes not to blame
Shes not to be blamed. The active infinitive thus used is called
retroactive.
N.B.
Active Pattern:
Passive
Other verbs in this pattern include advise, allow, ask, believe, consider,
expect, feel, instruct, mean, order, report, require, tell, understand. In
some contexts it is possible to make both verbs passive: Changes to the
taxation system are expected to be proposed; She was required to be
interviewed.
N.B.
5 Jones C., Stannard R. (2005), p 63.
6
Active Pattern:
Passive
respect Tim.
colleagues).
The verbs in the first group (and start) have corresponding meanings in
active and passive sentences, but the verbs in the second group do not.
Compare: People came to recognize her as the leading violinist of her
generation (active). It corresponds to She came to be recognized as the
leading violinist of her generation (passive); but (see verbs from Group
2): The team captain hoped to select Kevin (active) does not correspond
to Kevin hoped to be selected by the team captain (passive).
desire
hope
method
purpose
aim
difficulty
idea
need
reason
ambition
duty
instruction
object
task
attempt
experience
intention
plan
thing
business
habit
job
principle
wish, etc.
The function of the subject may be also performed by the pronoun all or
the substantivized superlatives the most and the least with an
attributive clause attached to them: All she wanted was not to be
punished; The least he can do is to sort out these papers.
the infinitive as part of a compound verbal predicate:
She ought to have warned me; You had better stop fighting
(as part of a compound verbal modal predicate);
They continued to talk shop; He began to think we had
forgotten about him (as part of a compound verbal phasal
predicate);
as simple nominal predicate:
Me to accept your proposal! Why not leave her alone?
The assistant managed to sort out the problem; I hesitate to say this
(after the verbs which take only one object); All parents should
encourage their offsprings to study hard at school (after the verbs which
take two objects the 1st is a noun or a pronoun and the second an
infinitive).
The
infinitive
may
function
as
object
after
certain
adjectives
Group 2
annoyed,
free,
inclined,
powerless,
interested,
prepared,
keen,
ready,
actions
scared,
etc.
The
astonished,
sorry,
infinitive
frightened,
surprised,
denotes
thankful,
an
action
slightly
preceding
the
state
N.B. the infinitive as object after the introductory it: verb + it + adj/
noun + to-infinitive.
N.B. after what, which, whose, how many and how much we can use a
noun: Sarah and Mark were discussing what colour to paint the walls;
We wondered whose story to believe both drivers said it wasnt
their fault.
We can use whether but not if: Well have to decide whether to go
ahead with the project (or not). NOT Well have to decide if to go ahead.
Before the question word we can also use the adjectives clear, obvious
and sure and the expressions have an idea and make up your mind: I
wasnt sure who to ask for help. A preposition (e.g. of) can come before
the question word: I have a good idea (of) how to get the treasure;
Theres the question of who to invite to the function.
to begin with
to say nothing of
to sum up
not to mention
to crown it all
to put it mildly
to be more precise
to be quite frank
strange to say
needless to say
For-to-infinitive construction
The construction is used when the doer of the action (or the bearer of
the state), expressed by the infinitive, is different from that of the
predicate.
Compare: I have closed the window not to catch cold. I have closed
the window for you not to catch cold.
2.4.2.
(Complex Object)
2.4.3.
construction
Pattern A
on my way to work.
Pattern C
Use this pattern to express your attitude towards the future or to
talk about past possibility:
The resignation of the managing director is certain to arouse new
fears about the future of the company; Shes likely to have had
some sort of cosmetic surgery. She looks much younger; Clare is
unlikely to take a hasty decision.
N.B.
She seems to know this rider. (seem = give the idea or effect of being)
They are likely to succeed. (likely = probable, expected)
2.4.4.
3. GERUND
The gerund is formed by adding the suffix ing to the stem of the
verb. This non-finite possesses verbal and nominal features and its
grammatical meaning is that of a process. Morphologically the verbal
character of the gerund is manifested in the categories of voice and
perfect and syntactically in its combinability (it combines with a noun/
pronoun as object, adjective/ noun as predicative and with an infinitive;
it can be modified by adverbs and prepositional phrases). The nominal
character of the gerund reveals itself syntactically, mainly in its
syntactical functions (as subject, object, predicative, see Syntactic
functions of the gerund below), partly in its combinability (like a noun, it
may be preceded by a preposition and it combines with a possessive
pronoun, a noun in the genitive case and the negative pronoun no in the
idiomatic constructions of the type: There is no mistaking what hes
aiming at. Study the tables below:
Active
Passive
14
Non-perfect
Perfect
taking
having taken
being taken
having been taken
Source: McCarthy M., McCarten J., Clark D., Clark R. (2009), p. 212.
objections;
Laura
recalled
having
been
taken
to
(after
verbs
of
recollection,
gratitude,
blame,
reproach,
N.B. There are some verbs (need, want, require, deserve) and the
adjective worth which are followed by an active gerund with passive
meaning:
The parquet needs polishing (to be polished also possible); The
gunman deserves to be locked up = The gunman deserves locking up.
the matter twice; Its worth (while) trying; Theres no getting out
anticipate
escape
practice
accuse of
about/of
prevent
appreciate
excuse
put off
apologize
hear of
from
avoid
fancy
recall
for
help in
punish for
delay
feel like
recollect
assist in
insist on
put
deny
forgive
resent
blame for
forgive for
with
detest
involve
resist
complain
have no
rely on
discuss
mention
risk
about/
difficulty in
result in
cant stand
mind
suggest
of
learn of
sentence
cant help
miss
understan
congratula
look
for
te on
forward
stop from
! also after
consist in
to
succeed in
the
count on
object to
suspect of
adjectives
depend on
persist in
threaten
busy and
(dis)appro
with
worth
ve of
worry
discourage
about
consider
up
from
Source: Hewings M. (2002), p. 223.
be annoyed at
be furious about/over
16
be aware of
be
anxious
be grateful for
be (in)capable of
about/for/over
be keen on
be conscious of
be astonished at/by
be opposed to
be fond of
be certain about/of
be preoccupied with
be ignorant of
be charged with
be responsible for
be proud of
be content with
be right in/*about
be sure of
be delighted at
be selfish (in)
be absorbed in
be devoted to
be sorry about
be/get accustomed to
be
be surprised at
be amused at
with/at/about
be tired of
be angry at
be engrossed in
be/get used to
(dis)pleased
be excited about
be fed up with
Source: Hewings M. (2002), p. 224.
abstract
nouns,
followed
by
preposition:
apology (for)
habit (of)
necessity (of)
process (of)
art (of)
harm (in)
objection (to)
prospect (of)
astonishment (at)
hope (of)
opportunity (of)
reason (for)
chance (of)
idea (of)
plan (for)
risk (of)
custom (of)
importance (of)
pleasure (of)
right (of)
disappointment
intention (of)
possibility (of)
skill (in)
(at)
interest (in)
precaution (of)
surprise (at)
excuse (for)
means (of)
preparation (for)
thought (of)
experience (in/of)
method (of)
problem (of)
way (of)
fear (of)
N.B.
18
The action of the infinitive often refers to the subject of the sentence,
whereas the action of the gerund may refer to some other doer: Mary
doesnt like to trifle with serious things. Mary doesnt like trifling with
serious things.
Some verbs take to-infinitive or gerund without a change in meaning:
19
him;
when the subject denotes a lifeless object: The click began
to strike.
+ to-infinitive
not
to
have
+ gerund
to be afraid that what is
+ gerund
courage/desire
do
something: Im afraid to
drive
old
is afraid of staying in
over
to
that
be ashamed + infinitive
bridge.
to
feel
ashamed
/of + gerund
because of something
to do something: Im
ashamed
Im
to
borrow
money.
forget
go on
making
so
of
many
your
mistakes.
the action is forgotten
forgot
something
slips
sending
message
again.
to continue doing the
something
same
else
After
is
and
thing:
sent
the
finished:
hate
ashamed
it
Although
the
Tosca.
to hate what one is
be displeased/feel sorry
for
what
someone
is
20
imagine
matter is urgent.
to have a false or wrong
(imagine smb/smth to
be
smth):
surprised
to
was
see
the
to be much bigger.
to
say
that
we
intend(ed)
do
involves
to
doing
something: He means
something else: If we
to
phone
you
next
week.
12.00,
that
means
to
feel
sorry
having
remember
about
to
say
subject only!)
to feel sorry
something
about
that
has
something negative: I
that
always
your
application
regret
giving
him advice.
to recall a past event: I
remembering
comes
before
action
Remember
the
described:
to buy a TV guide on
went there).
buy it)
regret:
hear
Im
he
and
then
sorry
has
to
been
expelled.
stop
him
the
pause
temporarily
for
permission.
finish,
cease
some
purpose:
He
some
action:
doing
She
21
stopped
try
pause
to
eat
and
ate
sweets).
make an attempt, make
the
something
results,
as
do
an
experiment:
Try
restarting
the
computer.
4. PARTICIPLE I
Participle I possesses verbal and some adjectival and adverbial
features and is formed by adding the suffix ing to the stem of the verb.
Morphologically the verbal character of Participle I is manifested in the
categories of voice and perfect and syntactically in its combinability (it
may combine with a noun/pronoun as object; with an adverb or a
prepositional phrase as an adverbial modifier; with a noun/adjective as a
predicative).14
Active
arriving
Passive
-
Perfect
publishing
having arrived
being published
-
having published
Participle I as attribute:
a single participle used as attribute generally functions as
a premodifier (Participle I active of intransitive verbs):
Dont tease the barking dog!
a participle phrase used as attribute follows the modified
noun. It may be
non-detached or detached: We went along the street
leading to the shore; Once a month Tommy, arriving
separately, came in for a brief drink.
23
modifier of time.
Participle I as part of the compound verbal predicate:
Participle I non-perfect of verbs expressing motion (run, dance,
pour, race, rush) combined with a verb to come in the past
tense forms is a special type of a compound verbal predicate.
In some cases the verbs to come the lexical meaning of which
is greatly weakened serves to give perfective meaning to the
action denoted by the participle: As I walked through the gate,
comforting
exciting
pleasing
amazing
confusing
fascinating
promising
amusing
depressing
frightening
satisfying
annoying
disturbing
frustrating
shocking
astonishing
disappointing
humiliating
surprising
boring
discouraging
interesting
tiring
charming
embarrassing
irritating
worrying
25
(have, get, keep, leave, set, start) and occasionally with verbs
expressing wish (want, like):
We overheard them talking about the closure of the factory; Can you
start that engine going?
N.B.
infinitive
We saw oil prices rise this year
participle
We saw oil prices rising this year
(suggests
complete
action).
I observed him cross the street, and
ongoing action).
I could watch them building a new
We
whole
call
and
watch,
the
infinitives
single
hear,
police.
denote
succession.
4.2.2.
or
etc.
the
Homogeneous
actions
in
smiling
Homogeneous
to
participles
himself.
suggest
simultaneous actions.
4.2.3.
Sometimes the participle (in any of its forms) has a subject of its
own expressed by a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the
nominative case: The rain having ruined my hat, I had to buy a new
one. Although this construction is formally independent of the sentence
26
4.2.4.
difference
between
the
two
lies
in
their
non-verbal
the
verb
through
simultaneous
or
prior
events:
15
27
Note
that
there
are
cases,
especially
among
predicative
or
gerund,
the
difference
between
them
being
5. PARTICIPLE II
Participle II is a non-finite form of the verb which possesses verbal
and adjectival features and denotes a state or a result of some action or
an action itself. It stands apart from the other non-finites in that it does
not have their morphological categories. Nevertheless, being a verb
form, it possesses the potential verbal meanings of voice, aspect and
perfect. These meanings depend upon the meaning of the verb
Participle II is formed from and are realized in the context.
29
of the negation not, Participle II is often negated with the prefix un-:
untouched, unfinished.17
complex
Complex
Object.
The
objective
participial
employs,
pays,
asks,
persuades
another
person
to
do
We use have...
1. when we are concerned with the
We use get...
1. when we are more concerned with
program implemented;
sentence
bicycle chain.
causes
what
happens
had
her
purse
stolen;
The
5.2.2.
with Participle II
32
5.2.3.
with
the
windows
shut
(adverbial
modifier
of
attendant
6. CONCLUSION
The focus of this work was to describe the use of non-finite
structures in the English language, especially with regards to their
occurrence in the language of scientific style. Main attention was paid to
33
structures
contribute
to
cohesion,
compactness
and
Basically, these can be divided into those that regard as condensed all
structures which have a compressed form showing a correspondence to
a full clause structure, and those which consider to be condensed only
structures that can be seen as condensed full clauses and are
paraphrasable by them. In this work the first approach was adopted,
however, focus was laid especially on which of such condensed
structures (i.e. non-finite structures) have full clause alternatives.
35
Infinitival nominal clauses are the most complex and complicated ones
for linguistic analysis. For the purposes of this work, their classification
was simplified and the traditional distinction of these clauses according
to their syntactic functions was avoided. The clauses were divided into
three types: clauses used with verb predicates, clauses used with
adjective predicates and clauses used with noun predicates.
infinitive
is
usually
the
only
possible
type
of
36
can
be
made
difficult
especially
due
to
the
verbs,
emotive
human
and
judgement.
evaluative
In
many
adjectives
of
the
and
uses
nouns
they
are
37
Participial adverbial clauses were divided into those that are explicitly
introduced by a conjunction (there is no difficulty seeing these as
condensed full clauses introduced by the same conjunction) and those
that are not (the so called supplementive clauses).
clearly
adverbial
meanings
to
additive
meaning
found
in
7. REFERENCES
1. Eastwood, J. (2004), Oxford practice grammar, Oxford University
Press.
39
2. Evans,
V.
(2006),
Round-up
grammar
practice
5,
Pearson
Education Ltd.
3. Evans V. (2005), Round-up grammar practice 6, Pearson Education
Ltd.
4. Jones C., Stannard R. (2005), Inside out (advanced), Macmillan
Publishers Ltd.
5. Hewings M. (2002), Advanced grammar in use, Cambridge
University Press.
6. McCarthy M., McCarten J., Clark D., Clark R. (2009), Grammar for
business, Cambridge University Press.
7. Vince M., Sunderland P. (2003), Advanced language practice,
Macmillan Publishers Ltd.
8. Walker E., Elsworth S. (2000), Grammar practice for upper
intermediate students, Pearson Education Ltd.
40
41