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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Linguistics Studies

Difference between FINITE and NONFINITE verbs

Hi dear teachers, 

I'd like to ask you a few things concerning "Finite" and "Nonfinite" verbs, please. First of all, could you please tell me what is the distinction between these two things ("finite" and "nonfinite" verbs)? I've visited some grammar sites, but it is still unclear to me how I can distinguish "finite" verbs from "nonfinite" verbs. Please help me understand this concept. 

Thank you. 
  

Top answer

One sure sign is that finite verbs show tense. I want to work. wanted I like working.

— Fivejedjon

  • One sure sign is that finite verbs show tense.
  • I want to work.
  • wanted I like working.
  • liked I am working.
  • was I have worked.
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19 Answers
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One sure sign is that finite verbs show tense.

I want to work. wanted
I like working. liked
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Finite verbs have tense. The third person singular form of the verb and the past form are always finite.

The -ing form, the past participle, and to-infinitive are always non-finite.
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You make a main clause with a subject and a finite verb. The verb gives tense information and must agree with its subject in gender and number.

Nonfinite verbs are verb forms that are not used as a main verb in a sentence.
Nonfinite verbs are infinitives, gerunds and participles.

Here is a good resource.

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Anonymous the past participle
In most verbs, the past form and past participle are spelled exactly the same. You have to examine these words in context.
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Thank you, teachers, for your helpful replies. So, a non-finite verb is not the main verb of a sentence (or clause). For example, in the example given below, the underlined part is not a nonfinite verb, but a finite verb since it is used as the main verb of the sentence.
Here is the sentence:

- The child is playing.

The main verb, here, is 'playing', hence, it is a f
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AnonymousThe main verb, here, is 'playing', hence, it is a finite verb, not a nonfinite verb. Am I right, please?
There are two different ways to analyze this.
1. "is playing" is a verb phrase. It is the main verb in the sentence, in present continuous tense. This is the traditional approach to grammar.
2. The main verb is "is." "Play
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AlpheccaStarsThere are two different ways to analyze this.1. "is playing" is a verb phrase. It is the main verb in the sentence, in present continuous tense. This is the traditional approach to grammar. 2. The main verb is "is." "Playing" is a nonfinite verb. (This is the way that the Wikipedia article treats verbs — finite and nonfinite.)
Thank you once again
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AlpheccaStars Anonymous the past participleIn most verbs, the past form and past participle are spelled exactly the same. You have to examine these words in context.
I couldn't agree more.
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AlpheccaStars1. "is playing" is a verb phrase. It is the main verb in the sentence, in present continuous tense. This is the traditional approach to grammar.
But the main verb in the verb phrase itself is "playing".
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AnonymousBut the main verb in the verb phrase itself is "playing".
Semantics. That is not the labeling used in the Wiki article.
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