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Clauses Finite and Non-Finite

The document discusses finite and non-finite clauses. Finite clauses contain verbs that show tense and can be main or subordinate clauses. Non-finite clauses contain verbs without tense and are usually used in subordinate clauses, with the time understood from the main clause context. Non-finite clauses are often used when the subject is the same as the main clause subject. They also commonly follow subordinating conjunctions like after, although, though, and if or verbs taking -ing or to-infinitive complements.

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571 views

Clauses Finite and Non-Finite

The document discusses finite and non-finite clauses. Finite clauses contain verbs that show tense and can be main or subordinate clauses. Non-finite clauses contain verbs without tense and are usually used in subordinate clauses, with the time understood from the main clause context. Non-finite clauses are often used when the subject is the same as the main clause subject. They also commonly follow subordinating conjunctions like after, although, though, and if or verbs taking -ing or to-infinitive complements.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Yasin Gill
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Clauses: finite and non-finite

from English Grammar Today

Finite clauses

Finite clauses must contain a verb which shows tense. They can be main clauses or
subordinate clauses:

Is it raining? (main: present)

I spoke to Joanne last night. (main: past)

We didnt get any food because we didnt have enough time. (main: past; subordinate:
past)

Non-finite clauses

Non-finite clauses contain a verb which does not show tense. We usually use non-finite
verbs only in subordinate clauses. We usually understand the time referred to from the
context of the main clause. We often use a non-finite clause when the subject is the same
as the subject in the main clause:

I had something to eat before leaving. (I had something to eat before I left.)

After having spent six hours at the hospital, they eventually came home.

Helped by local volunteers, staff at the museum have spent many years sorting and
cataloguing more than 100,000 photographs.

He left the party and went home, not having anyone to talk to.

The person to ask about going to New Zealand is Beck.

You have to look at the picture really carefully in order to see all the detail.

After, although, though, and if

We often use non-finite clauses after some subordinating conjunctions like after, although,
though and if:

By the end of the day, although exhausted, Mark did not feel quite as tired as he had in the
past. (although he was exhausted)
The proposal, if accepted by Parliament, will mean fundamental changes to the education
system.

See also:
Ellipsis
After verbs + -ing or infinitive with to

We use non-finite clauses as the complements to verbs which take -ing or to-infinitive after
them:

I dont enjoy playing tennis in the rain.

Id hate to travel to London every day.

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