Everything You Need to Know About Non-Finite Verbs

Non-finite verbs are one of the most commonly used verb forms in English. However, they can be confusing for learners, because they don’t behave like other verb forms. In this blog post, we will discuss what non-finite verbs are, and give you a clear idea of how to use them correctly! We will also provide non-infinite verb examples and non-infinite verb exercises to help you practice using non-finite verbs effectively. Let’s get started!

What is a verb?

A verb is a doing word; it shows action or occurrence. There are three kinds of verbs: finite, non-finite, and auxiliary. Each one has a different job.

Finite verbs show time: They have a subject and can stand alone as the main verb in every sentence. For example, in the sentence “I am writing a blog post,” the verb “am writing” is finite because it has a subject (“I”), and it is the main verb of the sentence. The word “am” is an auxiliary verb, which we’ll talk about later.

Non-finite verbs do not show time: They don’t have a subject, and they can’t stand individually as the main verb in any statement or sentence. There are three kinds of non-finite verbs. This blog is all about non-infinite verbs.

Auxiliary verbs: These verbs help the main verb to showtime. For example, in the sentence “I am writing a blog post,” the word “am” is an auxiliary verb. It helps the main verb, “writing,” to showtime. Other examples of auxiliary verbs are: “do,” “did,” “has,” “have,” and “will.”

What is a non-infinite verb?

A non-finite verb illustrates a verb that does not indicate tense, person or number. Non-finite verbs are not used alone as the main verb in any statement or sentence. There are three types of non-finite verbs.

Importance of non-infinite verbs

Non-infinite verbs are important in both written and spoken English. They can express a wide range of meanings and are used in all kinds of sentence structures.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-infinite verbs

Advantages:

-They are easy to use and understand

-They can be utilized in a variety of situations

-They don’t require a lot of explanation

Disadvantages:

-They can be confusing for some people

-They might not be appropriate for all situations

-They can be hard to remember

Types of non-infinite verbs

The three kinds of non-finite verbs are:

1. Infinitives (to + verb): “To write a blog post, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to say.” In this sentence, “to write” is a non-finite verb because it does not express a specific action.
2. Participles (verb + -ing): “Writing a blog post can be difficult if you don’t have a clear idea of what you want to say.” In this sentence, “writing” is a non-finite verb because it does not express a specific action.
3. Gerunds (-ing verb): “His hobby is writing blog posts.” In this sentence, “writing” is a non-finite verb because it does not express a specific action.

What are the uses of non-infinite verbs?

Non-finite verbs can be utilized in a variety of ways, and they are often used in combination with other verbs. Non-infinite verb examples can be, you can use a non-finite verb as the subject of a sentence, or as the object of a sentence. You can also use non-finite verbs to express time, manner, or cause.

Here are non-finite verbs examples in use:

The snowfall stopped the game. (subject)

They appointed him head coach. (object)

He always works out before breakfast. (time)

She drives carefully. (manner)

Because it was raining, we decided to stay home. (cause)

As you can see, non-finite verbs can be very versatile! If you’re not sure how to use them, don’t worry – just keep practising, and you’ll get the hang of it in no time.

What is the difference between infinite and non-infinite verbs?

The infinite and non-infinite verbs can be differentiated on the grounds of their functions. The infinite verbs are used as the principal verb in a sentence whereas, the non-infinite verbs are used as subordinate verbs or auxiliary verbs in a sentence. For example,

He likes singing. (Here, the word ‘liking’ is used as the principal verb.)

He is singing a song. (Here, the word ‘singing’ is used as a subordinate verb.)

I have sung a song. (Here, the word ‘sung’ is used as an auxiliary verb.)

Thus, it can be said that non-infinite verbs are always dependent on infinite verbs.

It is important to differentiate between infinite and non-infinite verbs to have a clear understanding of the topic.