Finite Verbs
Hey, guys! How are you doing? I hope you are doing well.
I have a question regarding finite verbs.
All definitions so far haven't been very clear to me, but I have finally gotten to a conclusion:
Finite verbs are verbs, regardless of being auxiliar or modal, which can be conjugated in a different tenses.
However, in sentences with modal verbs, such as:
I could have done it
I should have done it
I would have run
Some pages say that "would, could and should..." remain as the finite verbs, for they are being conjugated, besides, the proceded verbs have the same form: I could have done it - I could had/has done it. Right?
----------------------
Other pages say that the finite verbs are the main verbs; I don't agree with that. In many cases, the main verbs are the last verb to be conjugated:
'I should have done it'
Therefore, "done" couldn't be the finite verb since it is interchangeable (i.e.: its form doesn't change since it is proceded by "have").
--------------------
In sentences with negative auxiliaries, what is the finite verb?
He doesn't like to do it
He didn't think about it
What are the finite verbs?
Thank you guys!
Top answer
davyddiniz finite verbs ~ verbs that show tense, including modal verbs Verb phrases consist of one or more verb forms in a sequence. Look at the whole verb phrase. If the first verb of the verb phrase is finite, the verb phrase is finite; if the first verb of the verb phrase is not finite, the verb phrase is non-finite.
- davyddiniz finite verbs ~ verbs that show tense, including modal verbs Verb phrases consist of one or more verb forms in a sequence.
- Look at the whole verb phrase.
- If the first verb of the verb phrase is finite, the verb phrase is finite; if the first verb of the verb phrase is not finite, the verb phrase is non-finite.
- Regardless of the type of verb phrase, all verb forms after the first verb are non-finite forms.
- would have run : finite verb phrase have seen : finite verb phrase doesn't know : finite verb phrase are going : finite verb phrase watching : non-finite verb phrase having been taken : non-finite verb phrase to avoid : non-finite verb phrase to have understood : non-finite verb phrase CJ
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
davyddinizfinite verbs
~ verbs that show tense, including modal verbs
Verb phrases consist of one or more verb forms in a sequence. Look at the whole verb phrase. If the first verb of the verb phrase is finite, the verb phrase is finite; if the first verb of the verb phrase is not finite, the verb phrase is non-finite. Regardless of the type of ver
0
Related Questions