Nonfinite Verbs

Non-finite verbs do not have tense and do not follow the subject's number and person. All the verbs in English are either Non-finite or Finite. 


What is a nonfinite verb? 

A nonfinite verb is a verb form that does not indicate tense, person, or number. It is not limited by these grammatical properties and cannot function as the main verb of a sentence. 

Types

There are three types of nonfinite verbs in English. They are: 

  • Infinitives
  • Participles, and
  • Gerunds


1. Infinitives

An infinitive is the base form of verb with a 'to' placed before it. That is-

Infinitive = to + verb.

Infinitives are non-finite verbs which do not follow the subject's number and person and do not show tense. 

  • She wants to live in Canada.
  • I have to go to college.

Types of Infinitives

There are two types of infinitives in English:

  1. Full Infinitive or To Infinitive
  2. Bare Infinitive

(i) Full Infinitive (To + Verb)

This is formed by adding the particle "to" before the base form of the verb.

  • to go
  • to eat
  • to run

(ii) Bare Infinitive

This is the base form of the verb without the particle "to."

  • go
  • eat
  • run

Functions of Infinitives

Infinitives are nonfinite verbs which function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in the sentence. 

(a) Infinitives as Nouns

Infinitives as nouns does the functions of subjects, objects, or complements. Here are some examples.

  • Subject: To read is my gobby.
  • Object: I love to read.
  • Complement: My hobby is to read.

(b) Infinitives as Adjectives

Infinitives as adjectives modify nouns. Look at the following examples.

  • I don’t have time to read.
  • The reason to read is to get pleasure.

(c) Infinitives as Adverbs

Infinitives as adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Look at the following examples.

  • He comes to play with us.
  • We read to learn. 

Use of Infinitives

There are some places in sentence where infinitives are used. Here are they:

Use of Full Infinitives

Full infinitives, which include the particle "to" before the base form of the verb, are used in various contexts in English. Here are some common situations where full infinitives are used:

1. Infinitives can be used after certain verbs like "want," "hope," "plan," and "decide."

I want to go to the park.
She decided to study abroad.
They plan to buy a new car.

2. After adjectives and adverbs: 

Some adjectives and adverbs are followed by full infinitives to indicate purpose, intention, or result. 

She is happy to help.
She was happy to see me. (adjective modifying the infinitive)
He runs fast to win the race. (adverb modifying the infinitive)

3. After nouns: 

Full infinitives can be used after certain nouns to express purpose or intention.

I have a book to read.
He gave me a pen to write with.

4. After question words and phrases: 

Full infinitives can be used after question words like "how," "what," and "where," or question phrases like "to know," "to understand," "to figure out," etc.

I don't know how to swim.
Tell me what to do.
He wants to find out where to buy tickets.

5. Infinitives with "too" and "enough": 

Infinitives can be used with "too" and "enough" to express degree or sufficiency.

She is too weak to walk.
They are rich enough to buy a car.

It's important to note that these rules may vary based on the context and specific grammar structures. It's always a good idea to consult a comprehensive grammar guide or style manual for more detailed information and examples.

Use of Bare Infinitive

Bare infinitives, also known as base infinitives, are used in various situations in English.

Here are some common instances where bare infinitives are used:

1. After certain verbs: 

Certain verbs are followed by bare infinitives without the need for the particle "to." These include: 

(a) Verbs of perception like "see," "hear," "feel," "watch," "observe,"  "notice," etc.

I saw her leave the room.
He heard them sing.

(b) Causative verbs: "make," "let," "have," etc.

She made me apologize.
They had him fix the car.

(c) After modal auxiliary verbs: 

Modal verbs such as "can," "could," "will," "would," "shall," "should," "may," "might," "must," and "ought to" are typically followed by bare infinitives. For example:

She can swim.
He should go home.
They must finish their homework.

2. In imperatives and commands: 

Bare infinitives are used to give instructions, commands, or express requests.

Close the door.
Eat your vegetables.
Please be quiet.

3. The infinitive without to is also used after had better, would rather, sooner than and rather than.

 I would rather be a sparrow than a snail.

 You had better go home.

These are some common instances where bare infinitives are used. However, it's important to note that there may be other contexts and constructions where bare infinitives can be employed in English.


2. Participles

A participle is a type of verb form that functions as an adjective or as part of a verb phrase. It is formed by adding the suffix "-ing" (present participle) or "-ed" (past participle) to the base form of a verb. 

Types of Participles

There are two main types of participles:

  1. Present participles 
  2. Past participles

(i) Present Participle

It is formed by adding "-ing" to the base form of a verb. For example:

The running water. (running modifies water)

A barking dog. (barking modifies dog)

 The crying child. (crying modifies child)

Use of Present Participles

Participles are commonly used to describe or modify nouns and pronouns.

Present participles, formed by adding "-ing" to the base form of a verb, are used in various ways in English. Here are some common uses of the present participle:

1. Progressive Tenses:

Present participles are used to form the progressive (continuous) tenses, indicating ongoing or simultaneous actions. They are used in conjunction with auxiliary verbs such as "be" (am, is, are, was, were) and "been." 

She is studying for her exams.
They were playing soccer in the park.

2. Active Verb Phrases:

Present participles can be part of active verb phrases to indicate additional actions happening simultaneously. These phrases typically use the structure "verb + present participle." 

He came running to catch the bus.
She was watching tv while eating dinner.

3. As Premodifiers:

Present participles can function as premodifiers to describe nouns.  

I like to watch the breaking news.
The barking dog alerted the neighbors.

4. Participial Phrases:

Present participles can form participial phrases, which typically begin with the present participle and can modify the subject or object of a sentence. 

Going to the zoo, she called at my office.
Walking down the street, I saw a tortoise.

It's important to note that the uses of present participles mentioned above are not exhaustive, and there can be other contexts and structures in which they are employed. The precise use of present participles depends on the specific sentence and its intended meaning.

(ii) Past Participle

It is formed by adding "-ed," "-d," "-t," "-en," or other irregular endings to the base form of a verb. For example:

The broken window. (broken modifies window)
 A written letter. (written modifies letter)
The lost key. (lost modifies key)

Use of Past Participles

Participles are commonly used to describe or modify nouns and pronouns.

Past participles, formed by adding "-ed," "-d," "-t," "-en," or other irregular endings to the base form of a verb, are used in various ways in English. Here are some common uses of the past participle:

1. Perfect Tenses:

Past participles are used to form the perfect tenses, which indicate completed actions or states. They are used in conjunction with auxiliary verbs such as "have" (has, have, had) and "been." 

She has finished her work.
They had already eaten dinner.

2. Passive Constructions:

Past participles are used in passive constructions to show that the subject of the sentence receives the action rather than performing it. Passive constructions typically use the structure "be + past participle."

Rome was not made in a day.
The road has been repaired.

3. As Premodifiers:

Past participles can function as premodifiers to describe nouns. They indicate the result or state of an action. 

The broken window needs to be fixed.
He was fascinated by the painted artwork.

4. Reduced Relative Clauses:

Past participles can be used to create reduced relative clauses, providing concise descriptions without using full relative pronoun clauses. They modify nouns and indicate the state or action associated with the noun.

The woman chosen as the winner was ecstatic.
Things done by half are actually not done.

It's important to note that the uses of past participles mentioned above are not exhaustive, and there can be other contexts and structures in which they are employed. The precise use of past participles depends on the specific sentence and its intended meaning.

 Use of Participles

When using participles in English, there are several rules and guidelines to keep in mind. Here are some of the key rules for using participles correctly:

1. Agreement with the 'be verb':

The participle should agree with the 'be verb' if it is part of a finite verb phrase. 

The children are playing in the park. (correct)
The child is playing in the park. (correct)
The child is play in the park. (incorrect)

2. Placement of participles:

Participles should be placed appropriately in the sentence to ensure clarity and logical structure. They are typically used immediately before or after the noun or pronoun they modify. 

The boy running down the street is my brother.
I saw a bird perched on the branch.

3. Dangling participles:

Be cautious of dangling participles, which occur when the participle does not have a clear or logical connection to the intended subject in the sentence. To avoid this, ensure that the subject performing the action of the participle is explicitly mentioned. 

Walking down the street, the car caught my attention. (incorrect)
Walking down the street, I noticed a beautiful car. (correct)

4. Verb tense and form:

Choose the appropriate verb tense and form of the participle based on the context and intended meaning. Use the present participle ("-ing") to indicate ongoing or simultaneous actions, and the past participle ("-ed," "-d," "-t," "-en") to indicate completed actions or passive constructions.

Remember that these rules are general guidelines, and there may be exceptions or variations depending on the specific context or style of writing. It's always essential to consider the overall structure and clarity of your sentences when using participles.


3. Gerund

A gerund is a type of verb form that functions as a noun in a sentence. It is created by adding the suffix "-ing" to the base form of a verb. Gerunds are used as subjects, objects, subject complements, and objects of prepositions. 

Here are a few examples of gerunds used in sentences:

  • Swimming is her favorite activity. (subject)
  • I enjoy reading books. (object)
  • Her hobby is painting. (subject complement)
  • He is interested in cooking. (object of preposition)

In these examples, "swimming," "reading," "painting," and "cooking" are gerunds. They function as nouns.

Functions of Gerund

Like a noun, gerund does the job of a subject, object, and subject complement.

(a) Subjects of Verbs:

  • Learning makes a full man. 
  • Walking is a good exercise. 

(b) Objects of Verbs:

  • I love dancing.
  • I hate telling lies. 

(c) Objects of prepositions:

  • I am fond of dancing. 
  • None can live without eating. 

(d) Subject Complements:

  • Seeing is believing.
  • My hobby is reading. 

(d) Compound Noun:

  • The frying pan is new. 
  • She's in the swimming pool.

Some Special Use of Gerund

(e) Gerund is used after with a view to, addicted to, was used to, prefer to, object to, confess to: 

  • The virtuous look forward to receiving reward in the next world.  
  • I went there with a view to seeing him.

(f) Gerund is used after cannot help, cannot bear, feel, like, worth, prefer: 

  • I cannot help laughing.
  • I cannot bear suffering.
  • The book is worth reading.
  • I prefer sleeping to reading.

(g) Gerund is used after would you mind:

  • Would you mind taking a cup of tea?
  • Would you mind opening the window? 

Verbal Nouns

Verbal nouns are formed from verbs. All the gerunds are verbal nouns. (But all the verbal nouns are not gerunds.) Apart from gerunds, there are two more types of verbal nouns. 

Formation of Verbal Nouns:

1. Verbal nouns are formed by adding -ING to the base form of verbs.

Verbal Noun = Verb + ING=Noun

  • Cats love sleeping. 
  • Singing is a good pastime. 

2. Some verbal nouns are formed by adding 'the' before a gerund and 'of' after it. 

Verbal Noun: The + -ING Verb + of 

  • I love the singing of Bonya. 
  • The setting of the sun marks the end of the day. 

3. Some verbal nouns are formed by adding suffixes to the base form of the verb. 

Verbal Noun: Verb + Suffix 

  • Your avoidance makes him sad. [avoidance + avoid + ance]
  • I like his judgement. [judgement + judge + ment]