Finite, nonfinite and verbless clauses

FINITE CLAUSE

A finite clause includes a primary verb — A verb that can be inflected for tense, person and sometimes
number — and includes a subject. A finite clause can stand alone as an independent clause (a sentence),
or it can serve as a coordinate clause, a subordinate clause, or a supplementary clause. [Brackets enclose
finite clauses below for demonstration purposes here.]  

Types of finite clauses                

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
He raises his hand constantly.
This finite clause is called the "main clause" or "matrix clause".
COORDINATE CLAUSE
[He raises his hand constantly] and [he talks in class.]  
"And" functions as a coordinator. The finite clauses are coordinates of "and".
SUBORDINATE CLAUSE
We know that [Charlie raises his hand constantly]]. 
Charlie raised his hand so that [he could ask a question].
Charlie's curiosity is due to the fact that [he asks so many questions].
"That" functions as the subordinator of the content in the finite clause; that + the finite clause
complements (completes the meaning expressed by) the verb "know".
PREPOSITIONAL COMPLEMENT
Other children are annoyed because [Charlie raises his hand constantly].
The teacher ignores Charlie if [he waves his hand wildly].
"Because" and "if" are connective prepositions; the finite clause complements (completes the meaning of)
the preposition in the prepositional phrase.
RELATIVE CLAUSE
A boy [who raises his hand constantly] wants to be the center of attention.
"Who" is a relative pronoun in the finite clause and refers to the noun before it. The finite clause modifies
"boy".
COORDINATE CLAUSE / SUPPLEMENTAL CLAUSE
Charlie likes the teacher's attention, so [he raises his hand constantly.]
"So" functions as a coordinator and as a connective adverb (see Reversibility); the finite clause
complements (completes the meaning of) "so", which expresses result.

NONFINITE CLAUSES

A nonfinite clause includes a secondary verb — a verb not inflected for tense, person or number
(e.g., infinitival, gerundial or past participial verb form) — and occasionally a subject (e.g., his, him for).
A nonfinite clause is a dependent clause, which functions as part of a sentence such as a subject, a
verbal complement ("object"), a prepositional complement ("object"), or a noun complement (modifier).

Functions of nonfinite clauses

SUBJECT
To [speak in class] was encouraged.
[Speaking in class] is encouraged. 
For him to [speak in class] requires self-confidence. (w/subject)
VERBAL COMPLEMENT
He loves to [participate].
He dislikes [sitting quietly].
The teacher encourages his [participating in discussions]. (w/subject)
PREPOSITIONAL COMPLEMENT
Charlie smiled after [answering the question].
Charlie is used to [answering questions].
Charlie is interested in [hearing the answers].

NOUN COMPLEMENT
[Prepared] student excels in class. (pre-position modifier)
Student [encouraged by their teachers] does well. (post-position modifier)
Charlie is prepared. (complement to "be" or a stative verb)
 

 Types of nonfinite clauses

1-Infinitival Nonfinite Clause

Express desire or intent to do an activity
 

INFINITIVAL NONFINITE CLAUSE

A nonfinite infinitival clause has a plain form (base) verb that usually occurs with to, which is analyze
as a subordinator, not part of the nonfinite clause. Similarly, for is analyzed as a subordinator of the
subject of the infinitive clause.
INFINITIVE CLAUSE
Charlie wants to [raise his hand].   Verb + Infinitive
                  "to"   is the subordinator of the infinitival clause

Charlie stands up to [speak in class].  "In order" + Infinitive

Charlie helped us [answer the question].  Bare Infinitives  (without to)

It is hard for Charlie to [sit quietly].   Infinitive Cls w/Subj

       "for"   is the subordinator of the subject of the infinitival clause
 

  

2- Gerundial Nonfinite Clause (ing-Participle)

Express opinion or comment on an activity
  
GERUNDIAL NONFINITE CLAUSE

A nonfinite gerund clause has an -ing verb form (secondary verb). This structure is called a "gerund
phrase" in traditional grammar.¹
Ing-PARTICIPLE CLAUSE
Charlie dislikes [sitting quietly]. Verb + Gerund Cls
(gerund; complement to the primary verb)

Charlie objects to [sitting quietly]. Verb + Prep Gerund Cls

(gerund-participle clause; complement to the preposition "to")

Charlie regretted [his shouting the wrong answer]. Gerund Cls w/Subj

(gerund-participle clause; complement to the verb)

[Annoying children] sit in the corner.   Participial Modifier

(participle; modifier to "children")

The boy [waving his hand] seeks attention.   Clause Reduc 2

(gerund-participle clause; modifier to "the boy")

Sitting quietly, Charlie read his storybook. When/While -ing

(gerund-participle clause; modifier to "Charlie")
 

3- Past Participial Nonfinite Clause

Express how one feels as the experiencer of an activity
  

SECONDARY VERB: PAST PARTICIPLE

A nonfinite participle clause usually has a -ed or -en verb form (secondary verb). Participle clauses
mostly occur as noun complements.
PARTICIPLE CLAUSE
The children [annoyed with Charlie] complained to the teacher.  Participle Modifiers 1

The children [bothered by Charlie] told him to zip his lips.   Clause Reduc 1

The [annoyed] children locked Charlie in the closet.  Participle Modifiers 1

The teacher has two [grown children] in college.  Participle Modifiers 2

  
Primary & Secondary Verb Forms
Recognize how they occur in usage

Properties of primary and secondary verbs

 PRIMARY VERBS

A finite clause includes a primary verb as the main verb. A primary verb can be inflected for tense
(usually -ed in past), person (usually -s for 3rd person) and occasionally number (is/are  and  was/were).  
ARE MARKED FOR TENSE
Charlie raises / raised his hand.  (regular tensed verb)

Charlie is silly . Charlie and Jill were silly.  (irregular)

Charlie does his math. Jill did her math. (irregular)

HAVE A SUBJECT
Charlie hopes that he knows the answer. 
The verb hopes has the subject Charlie, and knows has the subject he.

It is annoying that he answers all the questions. 

ARE MARKED FOR PERSON

Charlie raises his hand. 3rd person

FORM NEGATIVES WITH DO + NOT

Charlie does not want to sit in class all day. 
(Uses "do" support with the negative.)

Charlie is not here today.  ("be" is an exception)

SECONDARY VERBS

A nonfinite clause includes a secondary verb as the "head" of the clause. A secondary (nonfinite)
verb is not marked for tense, aspect, mood, number and person, and it cannot serve as the predicate in an
independent clause.
ARE NOT MARKED FOR TENSE
[To speak in class] is difficult.  (infinitival)
 
[Speaking in class] is encouraged. (gerundial)

[Prepared students] are more likely to succeed. (p.participial)  

RARELY HAVE A SUBJECT

Charlie hopes to [ _?_ know the answer].    The verb hopes has the subject Charlie, but knows has no
subject.

It is unusual for [him to [keep quiet].   The exception is the "It…for" structure in which the subject is
subordinated with for (him, her, them, etc.)
ARE NOT MARKED FOR PERSON
Charlie wants to [raise his hand]. 

Charlie stands up to [speak in class].  (purpose)

Charlie helps us [answer questions].  (without to)

It is hard for Charlie to [sit quietly.]   

FORM NEGATIVES WITH NOT

Charlie wants not to [sit in class all day].
(Does not use "do" support with the negative.)

Charlie prefers not [sitting in class all day]

Charlie seems not to [be here today].

[Not wanting to sit all day] is understandable.

   

"Verbless clauses 

In English grammar, a verbless clause is a clause-like construction in which a verb element is

implied but not present. Such clauses are usually adverbial, and the omitted verb is a form of be.
Also known as a free adjunct (or a free adjunct without a verbal form) and a nominal sentence.

Observations

 "Verbless clauses are clauses which contain no verb element, and often also no subject.
They are regarded as clauses because they function in ways which make them equivalent
 to finite and non-finite clauses and because they can be analyzed in terms of one or more
clause elements."

 "A verbless clause . . . is considered a clause because it is dealing with a separate piece

of information in relation to the main clause. For example, in the sentence,

 In the interests of the local children, the council should reconsider its decision.

There are two separate pieces of information: the main clause--the council should
reconsider its decision; and a dependent clause that deals with issues that interest local
children. In this clause, however, the verb has been nominalized resulting in a verbless
clause. Verbless clauses are different from adverbial phrases. The latter provide some
information to do with the time, place, or manner in which something happens within an
existing clause. Verbless clauses, on the other hand, provide a separate piece of
information outside of an existing clause.

Examples
"When in doubt, tell the truth." - The "verbless clause" is 'when in doubt'. It really means
the full clause 'when you are in doubt' - "When you are in doubt, tell the truth."

Although not unfriendly toward strangers, this dog will protect its family in times of
danger. - Although it is not unfriendly toward strangers, this dog will protect its
family in times of danger.

John believes the prisoner innocent. - John believes the prisoner is innocent.

He married her when a student at Harvard. - He married her when he was a student at

Harvard.

Whatever their faults, they are not hypocrites. - Whatever their faults may be, they are
not hypocrites