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ZBH Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Is dies a finite verb here?

...and by ensuring that endangered animals' genetic information will not be lost when the last of the species dies.
I only have "will not be lost" as the finite verb. Is that correct? Many thanks x
  

Top answer

and by ensuring that endangered animals' genetic information will not be lost when the last of the species dies .

— AlpheccaStars

  • and by ensuring that endangered animals' genetic information will not be lost when the last of the species dies .
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9 Answers
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..and by ensuring that endangered animals' genetic information will not be lost when the last of the species dies.
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ZBH ...and by ensuring that endangered animals' genetic information will not be lost when the last of the species dies. I only have "will not be lost" as the finite verb. Is that correct? Many thanks x
The subordinate clause when the last of the species dies has the finite verb "dies". The third person singular "dies" is always finite. The present and p
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ZBHensuring that endangered animals' genetic information will not be lost when the last of the species dies.
All modals are finite. (can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must)
All third person singular present tense forms — the verb forms with the "s" on the end — are finite. (dies, says, does, wants, ha
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CalifJimThat makes both 'will (not) be lost' and 'dies' finite verb phrases.
CJ;
I would consider "lost" a subject complement (an adjective), but it's probably an arguable point.
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AlpheccaStarsCJ;I would consider "lost" a subject complement (an adjective), but it's probably an arguable point.
I hear you. Still, loster and lostest and very lost are a bit of a stretch for me, so I went with "verb" on this one.

CJ
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CalifJimAll third person singular present tense forms — the verb forms with the "s" on the end — are finite. (dies, says, does, wants, has, is, needs, sees, takes, goes, ...)
And if there is a present participle (v-ing), without being preceded by a finite form for "be" (is, am, are, was, were, has been, have been, had been), it's likely not a finite verb.
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CalifJimThat makes both 'will (not) be lost' and 'dies' finite verb phrases.
I agree. "will be lost" is a finite verb phrase and "lost" is the main verb of the phrase.
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CalifJimStill, loster and lostest and very lost are a bit of a stretch for me, so I went with "verb" on this one.
Quite lost?
I was more lost than she was.
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AlpheccaStarsAnd if there is a present participle (v-ing), without being preceded by a finite form for "be" (is, am, are, was, were, has been, have been, had been), it's likely not a finite verb.
I'd make it stronger than "likely not". If a non-finite form, e.g., -ing form, is the first form in the verb phrase, it can't be a finite verb phrase.
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