FINITE AND NON-FINITE

VERBS
AMIRUL FAISAL RIZZA, M.Pd
Basic Difference (Placement of
verbs)
 Ram went to market to purchase groceries
 Sheetal ran fast to won first prize

(First Verb – Just after Subject;

Second Verb – Elsewhere in the sentence)

Other Examples:
 She studies English to improve her communication skills.

 They study English to score high in examination.

 He has studied English to get a good job.

 I am studying English to impress my girlfriend.

(Observe the change in first verb – depends on ??)

 Verb
Finite Verb Non Finite Verb

 Finite Verb: A verb which is used according

to the subject and tense.
– Comes after the subject
– Changes according to Singular/ Plural subject
– Changes according to the tense of the sentence/
clause
Important to Know
 Joseph was eating food and watching T.V.
(Both verbs are joined by conjunction so both are
Finite Verbs)
 Akshita along with her friends came to meet

Surabhi.
(Do not consider phrase (if any) between subject
and first verb)
 Non-Finite/ Infinite Verb: A verb that is not
changed according to the subject or tense.
– Comes without subject in a sentence/ clause
– Used as Noun/ Adjective/ Adverb
– Normally used with “to”

Examples:
– I want to go to school.
– Jatin wants to go to school.
– They wanted to go to the school.
– They made me weep
Types of Non-Finite Verbs
 Gerund
(Verb+ ing) having the function of a noun is
called Gerund or Verbal noun.

Example:
Meena enjoys watching TV.
Main verb Gerund
 Gerund can have the following
functions in a sentence
 As the subject
– Eating is good for health.
(Subject)

 As the object
– I mind making noise.
(Object)

 As the object of preposition

– Divya thinks about going to Kerala.
(O. of Pre)
 Infinitive
To + verb or only base form of the verb
which has the function of a noun is called
Infinitive.
Example:
She likes to play soccer.

I want to get married.

David and I agreed to meet at 4 o’clock.

The weather is too hot to play soccer.

The class is big enough to study in it.

Participle
 Present Participle: When “Verb-I + ing” work as
adjective
Example:
– I found children sleeping
– The ship sinks in the rising waves

 Past Participle: When “Verb-III” work as adjective

Example:
– No educated person was there
– It is a part of broken jar
Participle
 Perfect Participle: “Having + Verb-III”. When
verb works as adjective as well as indicate that
work is done/ completed.

Example:
– Having done my duty, I went home.
– Having finished my class, I got spare time for
playing.
Any Queries/ Doubts??

THANK YOU !!