Finite and non-finite verbs are two classifications of verbs based on their grammatical function in a sentence.

Finite Verbs

Finite verbs are verbs that have a specific subject and are marked for tense. They can stand alone as the main verb in a sentence and convey a complete thought. Finite verbs change form based on the subject and the time they are referring to (tense).

Finite verbs in different tenses

Examples of finite verbs in different tenses:

• Present: I am explaining finite and non finite verbs.

• Past: Ankita was eating pizza voraciously that day.

• Future: They will manage it well.

• Present perfect: We have been discussing it for a long time.

• Past perfect: You had gone.

• Future perfect: We will have been singing.

Examples of Finite Verbs:

1. She walks to school.

   • "Walks" is a finite verb because it agrees with the subject "She" and indicates present tense.

2. They were playing in the park.

   • "Were playing" is a finite verb because it agrees with the subject "They" and indicates past continuous tense.

3. He studies hard.

   • "Studies" is a finite verb because it agrees with the subject "He" and indicates present tense.

Non-Finite Verbs

Non-finite verbs are not limited by subject or tense. They do not convey a complete action on their own and cannot serve as the main verb in a clause. Non-finite verbs are usually found in forms like infinitives, gerunds, and participles.

Types of Non-Finite Verbs:

1. Infinitives (to + base form of the verb)

   • To run, to eat, to play

   • Example: She wants to run faster.

2. Gerunds (verb + -ing used as a noun)

   • Running, eating, playing

   • Example: Running is a good exercise.

3. Participles (present participle: verb + -ing, past participle: verb + -ed/en/irregular form)

   • Present Participle: Running, eating, playing

     • Example: The running water was cold.

   • Past Participle: Eaten, played, written

     • Example: The cake was eaten by the children.

Examples of Non-Finite Verbs:

1. She likes to swim.

   • "To swim" is an infinitive and does not change according to the subject or tense.

2. Swimming is fun.

   • "Swimming" is a gerund acting as a noun in the sentence.

3. He was reading a book.

   • "Reading" is a present participle and is part of the present continuous tense with the auxiliary verb "was."

4. The book written by her is fascinating.

   • "Written" is a past participle describing "the book."

Summary:

• Finite Verbs: Marked for tense, agree with the subject, can function as the main verb.

  • Examples: walks, were playing, studies.

• Non-Finite Verbs: Not marked for tense, do not change form based on the subject, cannot function as the main verb on their own.

  • Examples: to run (infinitive), running (gerund), eaten (past participle).

Finite verbs are central to the structure of sentences, and understanding their rules is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences. Here are the key rules and aspects of finite verbs:

Finite Verb Rules:

1. Agreement with Subject:

   • A finite verb must agree with its subject in both number (singular/plural) and person (first/second/third).

   • Examples:

     • She runs every morning. (singular subject, third person)

     • They run every morning. (plural subject, third person)

2. Tense:

   • Finite verbs change form to express different tenses (past, present, future).

   • Examples:

     • I walk to school. (present tense)

     • I walked to school. (past tense)

     • I will walk to school. (future tense)

3. Mood:

   • Finite verbs can express different moods: indicative (statement of fact), imperative (command), and subjunctive (hypothetical or wish).

   • Examples:

     • She is happy. (indicative mood)

     • Be happy! (imperative mood)

     • If she were here, she would be happy. (subjunctive mood)

4. Aspect:

   • Finite verbs can show aspect (simple, perfect, progressive, perfect progressive) to indicate the nature of the action.

   • Examples:

     • I study every day. (simple present)

     • I have studied. (present perfect)

     • I am studying now. (present progressive)

     • I have been studying for two hours. (present perfect progressive)

5. Voice:

   • Finite verbs can be in active or passive voice.

   • Examples:

     • She writes a letter. (active voice)

     • A letter is written by her. (passive voice)

Examples in Sentences:

1. Subject-Verb Agreement:

   • The cat jumps on the table. (singular subject)

   • The cats jump on the table. (plural subject)

2. Tense:

   • He reads a book every night. (present tense)

   • He read a book last night. (past tense)

   • He will read a book tomorrow. (future tense)

3. Mood:

   • She knows the answer. (indicative)

   • Know the answer! (imperative)

   • If she knew the answer, she would tell you. (subjunctive)

4. Aspect:

   • They eat lunch at noon. (simple present)

   • They have eaten lunch. (present perfect)

   • They are eating lunch now. (present progressive)

   • They have been eating lunch for an hour. (present perfect progressive)

5. Voice:

   • The chef cooked the meal. (active voice)

   • The meal was cooked by the chef. (passive voice)

Understanding and applying these rules will help you use finite verbs correctly in various contexts, ensuring clear and grammatically accurate communication.

Non-finite verbs, which include infinitives, gerunds, and participles, do not change according to the subject or tense and cannot function as the main verb in a clause. Here are the key rules and uses of non-finite verbs:

Non-Finite Verb Rules:

1. Infinitives (to + base form of the verb):

   • Basic Form: Infinitives often appear with "to" before the base form of the verb (e.g., to run, to eat).

   • Function: They can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.

   • Examples:

     • Noun: To read is enjoyable. (subject of the sentence)

     • Adjective: She has a book to read. (modifies "book")

     • Adverb: He went home to rest. (modifies "went")

2. Bare Infinitives (base form of the verb without "to"):

   • Basic Form: Used after certain verbs (e.g., make, let, help) and modal verbs (e.g., can, could, may).

   • Examples:

     • I can swim. (after modal verb "can")

     • She made him apologize. (after "made")

3. Gerunds (verb + -ing used as a noun):

   • Basic Form: Created by adding -ing to the base form of the verb.

   • Function: Always act as nouns.

   • Examples:

     • Subject: Swimming is fun.

     • Object: I enjoy swimming.

     • Object of a Preposition: They are interested in swimming.

4. Present Participles (verb + -ing used as an adjective or in continuous tenses):

   • Basic Form: Created by adding -ing to the base form of the verb.

   • Function: Can be used as adjectives or to form continuous tenses.

   • Examples:

     • Adjective: The running water was cold.

     • Continuous Tense: She is running.

5. Past Participles (usually verb + -ed/-en/irregular forms used as adjectives or in perfect tenses):

   • Basic Form: Formed by adding -ed to regular verbs or using the third form of irregular verbs.

   • Function: Can be used as adjectives or to form perfect tenses and passive voice.

   • Examples:

     • Adjective: The broken vase was expensive.

     • Perfect Tense: She has eaten.

     • Passive Voice: The letter was written by him.

Examples in Sentences:

1. Infinitives:

   • To travel around the world is her dream. (noun, subject of the sentence)

   • He has a lot of homework to finish. (adjective modifying "homework")

   • She came to discuss the project. (adverb modifying "came")

2. Bare Infinitives:

   • They can sing beautifully. (after modal verb "can")

   • The coach let the players rest. (after "let")

3. Gerunds:

   • Running is a great way to stay fit. (subject of the sentence)

   • She loves reading novels. (object of the verb "loves")

   • He is interested in learning new languages. (object of the preposition "in")

4. Present Participles:

   • The boiling water needs to be cooled. (adjective modifying "water")

   • They are dancing at the party. (part of present continuous tense)

5. Past Participles:

   • The burned toast smelled awful. (adjective modifying "toast")

   • She has completed her assignment. (part of present perfect tense)

   • The report was written by the manager. (part of passive voice)

Summary:

• Infinitives (to + verb or bare infinitive) act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.

• Gerunds (verb + -ing) always act as nouns.

• Present Participles (verb + -ing) act as adjectives or form continuous tenses.

• Past Participles (verb + -ed/en/irregular) act as adjectives or form perfect tenses and passive voice.

Understanding these rules helps in correctly identifying and using non-finite verbs in various grammatical contexts.