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Finite Verb 2023Dec20

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3 views

Finite Verb 2023Dec20

Uploaded by

Juz Nuz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What Is a Finite Verb?

Meaning
and Examples By Jennifer Gunner, M.Ed. Education , Senior Writer

You may already know that a sentence needs a subject and a verb to
be complete. But why does that verb need to be finite, and what’s the
difference between finite and non-finite verbs? Keep reading to find
the meanings and examples of both types of verbs, and why you’ll
never mistake them again.

Finite Verb Definition


A finite verb is the main verb in a sentence. It’s the root word that
drives the rest of the sentence. Almost every verb in the English
language can be used as a finite verb as long as it has these qualities
in a sentence:

 a subject
 agreement with the subject
 a tense (present or past)

Every sentence must have a finite verb – even sentences that are not
in the present or past tenses. Finite verbs can stand alone in a
sentence or as part of a verb phrase. If there is more than one verb in
the sentence, the finite verb is usually the one closest to the subject.
Examples of Finite Verbs

It’s easier to find finite verbs in a sentence than it seems. No matter


how long or short the sentence is, there is always at least one finite
verb.

 Orlando swims three times a week.


 I cooked dinner last Thursday.
 Shawna is a teacher.
 We had a chemistry lesson yesterday.
 Our study group worked really late last night.

The rest of the sentence depends on the finite verb. Finite verbs can
be action verbs or helping verbs. They can appear in both dependent
and independent clauses, as long as they have a subject, agree with
that subject, and are set in either present or past tense.

Finite Verbs vs. Non-Finite Verbs


Non-finite verbs are as easy to understand as finite verbs. If a verb
doesn’t have a subject or a tense, or is part of a verb phrase, it’s a
non-finite verb. Examples of verbs that can function as non-finite verbs
include verbals, such as:

 infinitives (“to” + verb)


 participles (verbs that function as adjectives)
 gerunds (“ing” verbs that function as nouns)

Verbals function as parts of speech other verbs, so they can’t be the


finite verb in a sentence. They also can’t be the only verb in a
sentence; finite verbs must accompany non-finite verbs to establish
both the subject and tense of a sentence.
Examples of Finite Verbs vs. Non-Finite Verbs

Most sentences that include a phrase have both finite and non-finite
verbs. The trick is telling them apart, which you can do by identifying
the subject and tense of the sentence. Combining finite and non-finite
verbs creates the 12 different verb tenses.

Here are some examples of sentences written with only finite verbs,
and then again with both finite and non-finite verbs. The finite verbs
are bolded and the non-finite verbs are underlined.

 Pearl wrote a story. (past tense; finite verb only)


 Pearl was writing a story. (past progressive tense; past-tense
finite verb and present participle)
 Pearl had written a story. (past perfect tense; past-tense finite
verb and past participle)

 My family celebrates birthdays together. (present tense; finite


verb only)
 My family likes to celebrate birthdays together. (present tense;
present-tense finite verb and infinitive)
 My family has always celebrated birthdays together. (present
perfect tense; present-tense finite verb and past participle)

 Charlie wants a puppy. (present tense; finite verb only)


 Charlie is wanting a puppy. (present progressive tense; present-
tense finite verb and present participle)
 Charlie has been wanting a puppy. (present perfect progressive
tense; present-tense finite verb and present participle)

Sentences can (and usually do) include both finite and non-finite
verbs.

 My sister went to college to become a doctor.


 The class was reprimanded for behaving badly at the assembly.
 I was raking the leaves when I saw a caterpillar on the ground.
 We have been working on the school musical for months.
Basically, if a word ends in -ing, comes after “to,” or follows a finite
verb in a verb phrase, it’s a non-finite verb. These verbs are important
when filling out the larger picture of a sentence, but not in establishing
subject or present vs. past tense.
Modal Verbs

Verbs such as will, would, shall, should, might, must, ought to,
could, and can are known as modal auxiliary verbs. Modal verbs do
not change their tense, but when they are in a sentence, they are the
finite verbs. There are no non-finite forms of modals because they are
not parts of verb phrases.

For example:

 You should clean your room.


 My professor might give us an extension on our project.
 Can you tell me the time?
 I will pack Javier’s lunch later this afternoon.

It may seem odd that modal verbs are actually finite verbs. Keep in
mind that the verbs that follow modal verbs are known as bare
infinitives – infinitives without the word “to” but that are still used as an
infinite would be. Modal verbs can be used in several sentence
moods, including indicative, subjunctive, and conditional sentences,
but are always finite verbs whenever they appear.

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