Non-finite verbs are a fundamental yet often misunderstood aspect of English grammar. Unlike finite verbs, they do not change according to the subject or tense. Understanding non-finite verbs is crucial for mastering English grammar, whether you are a student, a professional, or someone learning English as a second language.
This article will guide you through the intricacies of non-finite verbs, breaking them down into digestible parts with real-life examples, common pitfalls, and helpful tips for mastering them. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of infinitives, gerunds, and participles, and you’ll be able to use them confidently in writing and speaking.
What are Non-finite Verbs?
In the simplest terms, non-finite verbs are verbs that do not show tense, number, or person. They are not limited by subject-verb agreement and don’t change form depending on the subject of the sentence. These verbs typically function in different ways within a sentence, but they are not the main verb that dictates the tense of the action.
- Finite verbs, by contrast, indicate tense and person. For example, in the sentence She runs every day, “runs” is a finite verb because it agrees with the subject “she” and expresses the present tense.
- Non-finite verbs don’t follow these rules. For instance, in the phrase She likes to run, the verb “to run” is a non-finite verb because it doesn’t reflect tense or agreement.
Non-finite verbs are important because they allow us to express actions, states, or conditions without worrying about time or subject. This gives us greater flexibility in sentence structure, allowing us to combine verbs and create more complex and varied sentences.
Key Characteristics of Non-finite Verbs
Non-finite verbs have several key characteristics that set them apart from finite verbs:
- No tense: Non-finite verbs do not change form to indicate past, present, or future tense. This is different from finite verbs, which are always tied to time.
- No subject-verb agreement: Non-finite verbs do not need to match their subject in number or person. For example, in the sentence He wants to go, the verb “to go” remains the same, regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural.
- Function in different roles: Non-finite verbs can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs, depending on their form and function in the sentence.
The Three Types of Non-finite Verbs
Understanding the three main types of non-finite verbs is crucial for mastering their usage. These are infinitives, gerunds, and participles. Each one has distinct features and functions within a sentence.
Infinitives: The Verb Form with ‘To’
The infinitive form of a verb is created by adding “to” before the base verb. For example, to eat, to go, to sing. Infinitives can serve as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a sentence.
- As a noun: To travel is my dream.
- As an adjective: I have a plan to succeed.
- As an adverb: She trained hard to win.
Infinitives are versatile, and they often express purpose or intention. For example, in the sentence He studied to pass the exam, the infinitive phrase “to pass the exam” explains the purpose of the action “studied.”
Common Mistakes with Infinitives:
- Splitting infinitives: Some traditional grammar rules warn against splitting infinitives (e.g., to boldly go), but this is often acceptable in modern English for emphasis or clarity. The rule has become more flexible over time.
- Omitting ‘to’: In some cases, especially after certain verbs like help or can, the “to” is omitted: She can swim vs. She can to swim.
Gerunds: The Verb Form Used as Nouns
A gerund is the “-ing” form of a verb that functions as a noun. It’s used to describe actions or activities.
- Examples: Running, reading, swimming
Gerunds often appear as subjects or objects in sentences:
- As the subject: Reading is essential for learning.
- As the object: I enjoy swimming.
Gerunds can also be used in compound nouns: a swimming pool, a cooking class.
Common Mistakes with Gerunds:
- Confusing gerunds with present participles: The gerund acts as a noun, while the present participle functions as an adjective or part of a verb phrase. For example, swimming pool (noun) vs. swimming dog (adjective).
Participles: Verbs Acting as Adjectives
A participle is a verb form used as an adjective. There are two main types: present participles and past participles.
- Present participles: Formed by adding -ing to the base verb (e.g., running, singing, talking).
- Past participles: Typically formed by adding -ed (for regular verbs) or using an irregular form (e.g., eaten, written, broken).
- Present participles as adjectives:
The running water was cold.
Here, running describes the water. - Past participles as adjectives:
The broken glass is dangerous.
Broken describes the glass.
Participles can also be used in participle phrases, which provide additional information about a noun in a sentence.
How Non-finite Verbs Function in Sentences
Non-finite verbs are incredibly versatile and can serve multiple roles within a sentence. Here’s a deeper look into their functions:
Non-finite Verbs as Subjects
Non-finite verbs can act as the subject of a sentence. This is especially common with gerunds and infinitives.
- Example with a gerund: Swimming is fun.
- Example with an infinitive: To travel is my dream.
In both cases, the non-finite verb (either swimming or to travel) is the subject performing the action.
Non-finite Verbs as Objects
Non-finite verbs often function as objects of verbs. This can be seen with both gerunds and infinitives.
- Example with a gerund: I enjoy reading books.
Here, reading is the object of the verb enjoy. - Example with an infinitive: She wants to go to the park.
Here, to go is the object of the verb wants.
Non-finite Verbs as Modifiers
Non-finite verbs can also function as modifiers, giving more details about the noun.
- Example with a present participle: The man sitting in the corner is my uncle.
Here, sitting modifies the noun man. - Example with a past participle: The broken chair needs to be repaired.
Here, broken modifies chair.
Non-finite Verbs in Reduced Relative Clauses
One of the most useful applications of non-finite verbs is in reduced relative clauses. These are shortened versions of relative clauses that use non-finite verbs.
- Full relative clause: The woman who is speaking on the phone is my sister.
- Reduced form: The woman speaking on the phone is my sister.
Here, the present participle speaking replaces the full relative clause who is speaking.
Real-life Usage and Common Constructions
Now that you understand the different types and functions of non-finite verbs, let’s dive into some common constructions where non-finite verbs play an essential role.
Verbs Followed by Infinitives vs. Gerunds
Certain verbs are followed by either an infinitive or a gerund, and the meaning can change depending on which one is used. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand when to use each.
- Verbs that take infinitives:
want, hope, decide, plan, agree
Example: I want to eat pizza. - Verbs that take gerunds:
enjoy, mind, avoid, suggest, consider
Example: I enjoy reading books. - Verbs that can take both:
remember, stop, try (but with a change in meaning)
Example: I stopped smoking (I quit smoking) vs. I stopped to smoke (I paused what I was doing in order to smoke).
Quick Reference Chart:
| Verb | Infinitive Example | Gerund Example |
| Want | She wants to learn Spanish | |
| Enjoy | He enjoys swimming | |
| Stop | I stopped to eat | I stopped eating |
Grammar Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Even with a solid understanding of non-finite verbs, there are some common mistakes learners make. Here are a few to watch out for and tips on how to avoid them:
- Dangling participles: This occurs when the participle doesn’t clearly modify the noun. For example, Running down the street, the car was missed. This is incorrect because it sounds like the car was running down the street. Correct version: Running down the street, he missed the car.
- Misusing gerunds and present participles: Remember that gerunds are nouns, while present participles are adjectives or parts of verb phrases. Make sure you use the correct form in each context.
requently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a non-finite verb in simple terms?
A non-finite verb is a verb form that doesn’t show tense, number, or person. Unlike regular verbs (finite verbs), it doesn’t change based on the subject or time. Examples include infinitives (to eat), gerunds (eating), and participles (eaten, eating).
2. How are non-finite verbs different from finite verbs?
Finite verbs change based on the subject and tense. For example:
- She runs every day (present tense, singular subject).
- They ran yesterday (past tense, plural subject).
Non-finite verbs don’t change that way. For instance:
- She loves to run – “to run” stays the same no matter who’s doing it or when.
3. What are the 3 types of non-finite verbs?
The three main types are:
- Infinitives (e.g., to write, to dance)
- Gerunds (e.g., writing, dancing)
- Participles (e.g., written, dancing)
Each one has a specific role. Infinitives often express purpose, gerunds function like nouns, and participles act as adjectives or help build verb tenses.
4. Can a sentence have both finite and non-finite verbs?
Yes, and it often does.
Example: She wants to learn French.
- Wants is the finite verb (shows tense and subject).
- To learn is the non-finite verb (it’s an infinitive and doesn’t show tense).
5. Is “going” a gerund or a participle?
It depends on how it’s used:
- As a gerund (noun): Going to the gym keeps me healthy.
- As a participle (adjective): The going train was fast.
Same word, different function!
Conclusion: Mastering Non-finite Verbs for Clarity and Precision
Mastering non-finite verbs will help you create more concise, dynamic, and varied sentences. With infinitives, gerunds, and participles at your disposal, you can express ideas more clearly and fluently, whether you’re writing, speaking, or even composing complex academic papers.
By practicing these structures and applying them in real-life situations, you’ll become more confident in your grammatical abilities and improve your overall command of English.
