Finite and Non-finite Verbs

Finite and Non-finite Verbs

Every verb is considered either finite or non-finite, just like they can be regular or irregular, or transitive or intransitive.

Finite Verbs

A finite verb is one that has a direct connection to the subject of a sentence or clause. It can stand on its own in a sentence and does not need another verb to make the sentence complete.

Examples:

I finish two books weekly.
The Rowan family attends church every Sunday.
Diana dances very well.

These verbs — finish, attends, and dances — relate directly to their subjects. They show action clearly, without needing extra helping verbs like is, are, or have.

More examples:

She draws very well.
The doctor talked too fast.
Randy sang beautifully.
The candidate answered concisely and powerfully.

All these sentences have just one verb and express a complete idea — a key feature of finite verbs.

Non-finite Verbs

Non-finite verbs are different. They do not show tense and do not match the subject. They cannot stand alone and always need a finite verb to help express a full idea.

Types of non-finite verbs include:

• Infinitives: to go, to eat
• Present participles: reading, walking
• Past participles: finished, gone

Here is an example to see how they work:

Take the word reading. If you say:

I reading a book.

It sounds awkward and is incorrect. We need a helping verb to make it right:

I am reading a book.

In this sentence, am is the finite verb that carries tense and subject agreement. reading is the non-finite verb (present participle) that needs am to complete the meaning.

Is there a finite verb in “I am reading a book.”?

Yes! There are two verbs here:

• am — finite verb (auxiliary/helping verb)
• reading — non-finite verb (present participle)

Why is am the finite verb? Because it can stand alone in an answer and shows tense:

"Are you reading a book?"
"Yes, I am."

Here, am makes sense on its own, but reading cannot stand alone without help.

More examples:

I could drink two liters of beer.
Verbs: 1) could (finite), 2) drink (non-finite)

Josh and Mary will marry soon.
Verbs: 1) will (finite), 2) marry (non-finite)

Tyler needs to go.
Verbs: 1) needs (finite), 2) to go (non-finite infinitive)

You have to drink milk.
Verbs: 1) have (finite), 2) to drink (non-finite infinitive)

In all these examples, the finite verb shows tense and connects to the subject. The non-finite verb depends on the finite verb to complete the meaning. Without either, the sentence would not be complete.