Introduction

This research is aiming on grammar generally and the aspects of finite and nonfinite verbs
specifically in the bellow lines I will discuss the difference between the finite and nonfinite verbs
with the definition and features and samples of each, of course we can’t deny the true value of
grammar because it’s the main aspect of the language without grammar there is no language and with
no language there is no culture and in order to maintain a language we need to fully understand it’s
grammar and how to use it properly according to each and every sentence we say or write.
“A man's grammar, like Caesar's wife, should not only be pure, but above suspicion of
impurity.”
― Edgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849)

Differentiate between finite and nonfinite verbs.

There are mainly two types of verbs in English – finite and non-finite.

Finite verbs change their forms when there is a change in the number or person of the subject. Finite
verbs also have different forms in different tenses A finite verb is a verb that is finished that means it
is inflected for tense and, usually, for a grammatical subject and they are verbs which have the past
or the present tenses.

Non-finite verbs do not change their form when the number or person of the subject changes. There
are mainly three types of non-finite verbs: infinitives, gerunds and participles basically non-finite
are verbs form which does not show tense. In other words, you cannot tell if a sentence is in the past
tense, present tense, or future tense by looking at a non-finite verb

Examples:
1- David Plays the Piano - (Plays) is a finite verb because it’s in the present tense have no infinitive
form.

2- Paul Runs to work every day - (Runs) is a finite verb because it’s in the present tense have no
infinitive form.

3- They have Run away together - (Run) is finite verb because it’s in the present tense and have no
infinitive form.

4- Tim Gave Paul a menacing look - (Gave) is finite verb because it’s in the past tense and have no
infinitive form.

5- Katie was Watching TV when the phone rang – (Watching) is a nonfinite verb because it has the -
ing form

6- We Found him Smoking behind the shed – (Found) is finite verb because it’s in the past tense and
have no infinitive form – (Smoking) is a nonfinite verb because it has the -ing form.

7- My sister Spoke French on holiday – (Spoke) is finite verb because it’s in the past tense and have
no infinitive form.

8- They Made David Play the piano – (Made) is finite verb because it’s in the past tense and have no
infinitive form – (Play) is a finite verb because it’s in the present tense have no infinitive form.

9- Leaving home can be very traumatic – (Leaving) is a nonfinite verb because it has the -ing form.

10- Written n 1984, the novel was interesting – (Written) is a nonfinite verb because it has the -en
form
- (Was) is finite verb because it’s in the past tense and have no infinitive form.

11- Rejected by his parents, the child Turned to the life of crime (Rejected) is a finite verb because
it’s in the past tense and have no infinitive form - (Turned) is a finite verb because it because it’s in
the past tense and have no infinitive form
12- They Travelled to London last year - (Travelled) is a finite verb because it because it’s in the past
tense and have no infinitive form

13- Jack Goes to college every morning – (Goes) is a finite verb because it’s in the present tense have no
infinitive form.

14- She helped me Do the assignment – (Do) is a finite verb because it’s in the present tense have no
infinitive form.

15- I read the newspapers while I was Waiting – (Waiting) is a nonfinite verb because it has the -ing
form

‫المراجع‬

1- https://pediaa.com/difference-between-finite-and-nonfinite-verbs/

2-https://www.englishgrammar.org/finite-nonfinite-verbs/

3-https://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/verbs/finite.htm

4- doc. marghany’s grammar book

5- doc. marghany’s online PowerPoint courses