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Grammar

What are finite and non-finite verbs in English? - Easy Learning Grammar

In a sentence, there is normally at least one verb that has both a subject and a tense. When a verb has a
subject and a tense, it can be referred to as a finite verb.

We want Charlie to act as club secretary.

I like taking photographs of insects.

Coming home last night, I saw a deer run across the road.

Some forms of a verb are referred to as non-finite. The present and past participles and the to infinitive
are the most common of these. The base form is often used in a non-finite way. Every verb can be used
in a clause in either a finite or non-finite way.

A verb is finite if it is found in a clause in combination with a subject and a tense.

I walked home.

We saw a deer.

They appreciate a little praise now and then.

It is non-finite if it is used:

without the verb having a tense.

To open, tear off the tab.

Looking around, he noticed a letter on the floor.

Worn out by the heat, they stopped for a drink.

with no agreement between the subject (if there is one) and the verb.

That plan failing, he gave up.

Our guests departed, we felt a little depressed.

A compound verb is actually made up of one finite part, which is always the first auxiliary verb, while the
remaining non-finite parts are the base form or the participles. In the following examples the finite part
of the verb phrase is in red italic:

I may have been joking when I said that.

Helen was running around screaming.

I had been living in a dream for months.

Olivia is coming round at 6 o’clock this evening.

The present simple and past simple forms of a verb are always finite.

I sing.

We tell stories at night.

Maya laughed.

The shelter collapsed.

A non-finite verb is sometimes used immediately after a finite verb.

I like to get up early at the weekend.

Harriet really dislikes cleaning the cooker.

I certainly wouldn’t want to see him again.

We persuaded them to join us.

Often a noun or pronoun can come between the finite verb and the non-finite one.

We want Charlie to act as club secretary.

She wanted him to wash his hands in the bathroom.

I don’t like you cleaning your boots over the sink.

When the second verb is an -ing form coming after a noun or pronoun, there can be a difference in
grammar between two similar sentences. Both sentences below are acceptable, although the first
example might seem ambiguous to some people. In the second sentence, the -ing form is used as a
verbal noun.

She didn’t like him cleaning his boots over the sink.

She didn’t like his cleaning his boots over the sink.