Examples of Non-finite Verbs

Non-finite Verbs

A non-finite verb is one that cannot stand alone without the help of other verbs. The main types of non-finite verbs are:

-ing Verbs

-ing verbs are verbs ending with -ing that usually express ongoing actions. They are mostly used with other verbs, such as linking verbs, to be grammatically correct. Some -ing verbs function as nouns and are called gerunds.

Examples:

eating, grinding, playing, singing, dancing, breaking, slicing, writing, hearing, listening, talking, clapping, walking, jumping, running

Auxiliary Verbs

There are only 13 auxiliary verbs divided into two groups: Modal Auxiliary Verbs and Semi-modal Auxiliary Verbs.

a. Modal Auxiliary Verbs

can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must

b. Semi-modal Auxiliary Verbs

dare, need, used to, ought to

Note: Auxiliary verbs are finite verbs, not non-finite verbs, because they show tense and agreement.

Participles

Participles are verb forms derived from both regular and irregular verbs, functioning in different ways.

There are two types:

• Present participle (ending in -ing)
• Past participle (usually ending in -ed, -en, or irregular forms)

Learn more about regular and irregular verbs.

Infinitives

Infinitives are the base form of action verbs preceded by the word “to”. They are often used with other verbs, such as action verbs or auxiliary verbs, to complete the predicate.

Examples:

to cry, to listen, to eat, to drink, to study, to hear, to create, to form, to tell, to watch

In sentences:

“You need to watch the movie.”

need = main (finite) verb
to watch = infinitive (non-finite verb)

“She has to tell him what happened.”

has = auxiliary (finite) verb helping express tense
to tell = infinitive (non-finite verb)