Verbs
Finite Verbs
Finite verbs change according to their subjects, numbers, person, tense.
Set 1. | He liked Dancing. | He likes dancing. | He will like dancing. |
Set 2. | I like to dance. | He likes to dance. | They like to dance. |
In the first set of sentences, the verb like changes tense.
In the second set, the verb changes to match the subject in number and person (I/he/they). This is because it has a subject (I/he/they). Here, the verb like is a finite verb.
- A least one finite verb is compulsary in a sentence.
- Every sentence in English needs a finite verb. It is an essential part of a sentence.
- An infinitive is a non-finite verb that does the work of a noun in a sentence.
- An infinitive may be as the subject or object of a finite verb.
Non-finite Verbs
Now look at the verbs dancing and to dance. They do not change in either tense or number. These are called non-finite verbs.
Infinitive doesn't change according to tense or number or person of the subject.
Gerund also doesn't change according to tense or number or person of the subject.
- Infinitive (to + V1)
Read these sentences :
- Birds love to sing.
- To help others is our duty.
- Gerund (V1 + ing)
Read these sentences :
- Reading is a good hobby.
- I enjoy cooking.
- Participle
Read these sentences :
- The crying baby woke up everyday.
- I need some cheese for my toasted bread.
In these sentences, the verbs crying and toasted are formed by adding -ing and -ed to cry and toast respectively. They function as adjectives in these sentences. They cannot stand on their own as the main verb and are also a type of non-finite verbs.
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