Finite vs Non Finite Verbs Learn English EasyTeaching

finite and non-finite verbs finite verbs change form according to the subject and they also show tense non-finite verbs do not change to match the subject and they do not show tense for example brent likes running in marathons take the verb likes it agrees with the subject we know this because if we were to change the subject to they for example we would need to change the verb to reflect this likes becomes like they like running in marathons the verb like also shows us the tense the sentence is in present tense we can change the tense by altering this verb brent liked running in marathons now the sentence is showing past tense because the verb likes shows tense and has changed to match the subject it is finite verb it's the main verb in the sentence the main verb of sentence will always be finite it's not the only verb in the sentence however running is also verb but it's acting in very different way it's not showing tense and it didn't change when we change the subject to they for these reasons running is non-finite verb non-finite verb cannot be the main verb in sentence there are three types of non-finite verbs gerunds participles past and present and infinitives let's take look at some examples of each we'll start with gerunds gerunds are verbs that act as nouns look at these three sentences and see if you can spot the non-finite verbs the gerunds surfing is great fun brian was tired of waiting jasmine liked sitting under the tree here they are surfing waiting and sitting these are all gerunds verbs acting as nouns they do not change to match the subject and they do not show tense as such these verbs are non-finite these verbs are finite is was and likes they indicate tense and they have changed to match the subject second type of non-finite verbs are participles past and present look at these sentences and see if you can spot the non-finite verbs the participles pause here while you look they are wishing warned playing marking decided the participles are acting as adjectives in the first two sentences in the last three sentences they are forming verb tense with the help of auxiliary verbs these verbs are non-finite because they do not change to match the subject and they do not show tense on their own these verbs are finite they indicate tense and they have changed to match the subject third type of non-finite verbs are infinitives infinitives are the base form of verb they are usually preceded by the word to for example to swim to no look at these sentences and see if you can spot the non-finite verbs the infinitives pause while you look here they are to travel to visit to become these are all infinitives they do not change to match the subject and they do not show tense they are non-finite verbs these verbs are finite planned is and wants they indicate tense and they have changed to match the subject now it's your turn to test yourself work out whether the underlying verbs in the following sentences are finite or non-finite remember finite verbs change form according to the subject and they also show tense non-finite verbs do not change to match the subject and they do not show tense pause here while you work let's see how you went these verbs are non-finite running crying to pass writing releasing smoked these verbs are finite is fel helps eight easyteaching.net