Finite and Non-finite Verb

Verb is an inevitable part of a sentence. There are many types of verb like- Action verb, be-verb, have-verb, modal auxiliary verb and so on.

Now we'll be discussing finite verbs and Non-finite verbs. 

Finite and Non-finite verbs

Look at the sentences below –

1) I love to read.
2) We want to swim.
3) He loves singing.
4) She loves dancing.
5) She saw a moving car.
6) I see a running train.

In the sentences above, the verbs love, want, loves, loves, saw, see are finite verbs. 

And to read, to swim, singing, dancing, moving, running are non-finite verbs. 

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What is a finite verb?

When a verb is used according to its subject and tense then it is a finite verb.
In other words, if a verb changes its form according to its subject and tense then it is a finite verb.


In those sentences, the verbs love, want, loves, loves, saw, see change their forms with subject and tense; therefore, we can say, these verbs are used here as finite verbs.

How does a finite verb change its form with tense and subject?

Go is the first form of the verb go.

I go to school.	Present indefinite tense.
He goes to school.	Go becomes goes as the subject changes.
I went to school.	Go becomes went as the tense is a past indefinite.
I have gone to school.	Go becomes gone as the tense is present perfect.

Eat is the first form of the verb Eat.

I eat rice.	Present indefinite tense.
He eats rice.	Eat becomes eats as the subject changes.
I ate rice.	Eat becomes ate as the tense is a past indefinite.
I have eaten rice.	Eat becomes eaten as the tense changes to perfect.

What is a non-finite verb?

When a verb in a sentence does not change its form according to subject or tense, it is a non-finite verb.
In those sentences, the verbs to read, to swim, singing, dancing, moving, running do not change their forms.


Examples of non-finite verb:

I love to sing.	I love singing.	I see a moving car.
He loves to sing.	He loves singing.	He sees a moving car.
They loved to sing.	They loved singing.	They saw a moving car.

To sing in the first column, singing in the second column, moving in the third column are non-finite verbs.


Non-finite verbs are of three types –

• Infinitive [to + V1],
• Participle [V1 + -ing or V1+ -ed/en],
• Gerund  [verb + -ing].