Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................1
2.0 TYPES OF VERB PHRASES.............................................................................2
2.1 Finite verbs phrases..........................................................................................2
2.2 Non-finite Verbs phrases..................................................................................3
2.3 Gerunds............................................................................................................3
2.4 Infinitives.........................................................................................................4
2.5 Participles.........................................................................................................4
3.0 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FINITE AND NON-FINITE VERBS....................4
3.1Verb...................................................................................................................5
3.2 Function............................................................................................................5
3.3 Number, person and tense................................................................................5
3.4 Use....................................................................................................................5
4.0 CONCLUSSION.................................................................................................5
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Verbs were defined as the words which denoted action. Verb phrases can occur in
one of the two forms finite and non-finite. Finite verb phrases are those in which
the verb phrase has some tense attached to it, either past or present. In non-finite
forms verb phrases are used in their tenseless forms. The clauses containing finite
verbs are called finite clauses, while the clauses with non-finite verbs are called
non-finite clauses.

2.0 TYPES OF VERB PHRASES

There are mainly two types of verbs in English finite and non-finite.

2.1 Finite verbs phrases

Finite verb phrases have three important features tense, aspect and mood. Tense is
a grammatical feature related to expressions of time. Many people believe that
there is a direct equation between time and tense. Finite verbs change their forms
when there is a change in the number or person of the subject. Finite verbs also
have different forms in different tenses.

Examples:

-I am driving down the lane.

-Bandana drives to college.

-They drive very fast

In the above sentences, the verb ‘drive’ is governed by the person and number of
the subjects, ‘I’, ‘Bandana’ and ‘They’ respectively.

More Examples of Finite Verbs

(i) John cooks carrots. (The finite verb is "cooks." The subject is "John." The tense
of the verb is the present tense.)

(ii) Rachel is happy.

In this example, "is" is a finite verb. The subject is "Rachel." The tense of the verb
is the present tense.
(iii) He painted the fence.

In this example, "painted" is a finite verb. The subject is "He." The tense of the
verb is the past tense.

(iv) She was varnishing the painted fence.

In this example, "was" is a finite verb. The subject is "She." The tense of the verb
is the past tense.

2.2 Non-finite Verbs phrases

A non-finite verb is a verb form that does not show tense. In other words, you
cannot tell if a sentence is in the past tense, present tense, or future tense by
looking at a non-finite verb. Therefore, a non-finite verb is never the main verb in a
sentence. finite verbs. Non-finite verbs do not change their form even when the
person and the number of the subject changes.

Examples:

- I want to eat something delicious.

- Bandana has to eat apples every day.

- want to eat eggs for breakfast.

In the above sentences, the verb ‘eat’ does not change even though the person and
number of the subject change.

There are three types of non-finite verbs

(i) Infinitives

(ii) Gerunds

(iii) Participles

2.3 Gerunds

A gerund is a noun formed from a verb. All gerunds end ing. It is also called the
verbal noun. It is formed by adding ‘ing’ to the root verb.

Example: Reading is a pleasure for some people.

 In the above sentence, the word reading is a gerund as they function as nouns in
their respective sentences.

Using of Gerunds
(I) As the Subject of a Verb

- Running is a good way to explore (“Running" is Gerund and "is” a verb)

(ii) As the Object of a Verb

- He likes running (“likes” a verb “running” is Gerund)

(iii) As the Object of a Preposition

-I am thinking of running. (“of” Preposition "running" is Gerund)

2.4 Infinitives
Infinitives An infinitive is a verb that functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb in
order to express an opinion, purpose of an object or action, or answer the questions
who, what, or why.

An infinitive usually begins with the word “to” and is followed by the base form of
a verb Examples of infinitives include to read, to run, to jump, to play, to sing, to
laugh, to cry, to eat, and to go. Remember that although infinitives are verbs, they
do not function as verbs.

Examples:

(i) He bought some flowers to give to his wife.

(iii) He locked the door to keep everyone out.

2.5 Participles

Participles a participle is a verb form that can be used as an adjective.

There are two types of participles:

(i) Present participle

Present participles are formed by adding ‘-ing’ to the base verb.

Example: I have been reading.

(ii) Past participle

Past participles are formed by adding -d, -ed, -en, -t or -n to the base verb.
Example: I have worked.

The Verb the Present Participle Past Participle

-To rise the rising sun -The risen sun

-To boil the boiling water -The boiled water

-To break the breaking news -The broken news

-To cook the cooking ham -The cooked ham

3.0 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FINITE AND NON-FINITE VERBS

PHRASES

3.1Verb
- Finite verb forms act as a verb.

- Nonfinite verb forms do not act as a verb.

3.2 Function
- Finite Verbs act as the main verb of a sentence or a clause.

- Nonfinite Verbs act as nouns, adjectives and adverbs.

3.3 Number, person and tense

- Finite Verbs indicate number, person and tense.

- Nonfinite Verbs do not indicate number, person and tense.

3.4 Use
- Finite Verbs are used in the present tense and past tense.

- Nonfinite Verbs are infinitive, gerunds and participles

4.0 CONCLUSSION
In summary, a finite verb phrase includes a finite verb that has a specific tense,
person, and number, while a non-finite verb phrase does not include a finite verb
and therefore does not have a specific tense, person, or number. Finite verb phrases
are used to make statements about actions that are happening in the present, past,
or future, while non-finite verb phrases are used to describe actions in a more
general or abstract way. Additionally, finite verb phrases can stand alone as
complete sentences, while non-finite verb phrases cannot.

REFERENCE

Cowan, R. 2009. The Teacher’s Grammar of English. Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press.

Leech, G. & J. Svartik. 1994. A Communicative Grammar of English. Harlow,

Essex: Longman.

Leech, G. et al. 1982. English Grammar for Today. Hampshire: Macmillan.

Quirk, R. et al. 1972. A Grammar of Contemporary English. London: Longman

Quirk, R. & S. Greenbaum. 1995. A University Grammar of English.

Harlow,Essex: Longman.

Swan, M. 1996. Practical English Usage. Oxford: Oxford University Press.