Non-finite Verb Examples
Non-finite verbs are verbs that do not have a specific tense or subject agreement. They do not indicate time or number, and they cannot function as the main verb in a sentence.
Non-finite verbs are commonly used as modifiers or complement in sentences.
Here are some examples of non-finite verbs:
- Infinitive verb: to run, to eat, to sleep
- I like to run in the morning.
- She wants to eat pizza for dinner.
- He needs to sleep for at least 8 hours.
- Gerund verb: running, eating, sleeping
- Running is good exercise.
- Eating vegetables is important for good health.
- Sleeping is essential for mental and physical health.
- Participle verb: running, eaten, slept
- The man running on the treadmill is my neighbor.
- The pizza, eaten quickly, was not very enjoyable.
- The baby, soundly slept, didn’t wake up during the storm.
Note that in these examples, the non-finite verbs are used as subjects, objects, or modifiers in the sentence. They are not the main verbs and do not convey tense or agreement with the subject.
What are Non-finite Verbs?
Non-finite verbs are verbs that do not have a specific tense or subject agreement. They are often used as modifiers or complements in sentences, and they do not indicate time or number. Unlike finite verbs, non-finite verbs cannot function as the main verb in a sentence.
There are three types of non-finite verbs: infinitives, gerunds, and participles.
Infinitives are formed by adding “to” before the base form of the verb (e.g. “to run,” “to eat,” “to sleep”). Infinitives can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a sentence.
For example, in the sentence “I like to run in the morning,” the infinitive “to run” is the direct object of the verb “like.” In the sentence “She is eager to eat pizza for dinner,” the infinitive “to eat” functions as an adjective modifying the noun “pizza.” In the sentence “He wakes up early to sleep more,” the infinitive “to sleep” functions as an adverb modifying the verb “wakes up.”
Gerunds are formed by adding “-ing” to the base form of the verb (e.g. “running,” “eating,” “sleeping”). Gerunds can function as nouns in a sentence.
For example, in the sentence “Running is good exercise,” the gerund “running” is the subject of the sentence. In the sentence “Eating vegetables is important for good health,” the gerund “eating” is the subject of the sentence.
Participles are formed by adding “-ing” or “-ed” to the base form of the verb (e.g. “running,” “eaten,” “slept”). Participles can function as adjectives in a sentence. For example, in the sentence “The man running on the treadmill is my neighbor,” the participle “running” modifies the noun “man.” In the sentence “The pizza, eaten quickly, was not very enjoyable,” the participle “eaten” modifies the noun “pizza.” In the sentence “The baby, soundly slept, didn’t wake up during the storm,” the participle “slept” modifies the noun “baby.”
Non-finite verbs are useful in adding variety and nuance to sentences, and they can be used to convey additional information about the action or the subject of the sentence. However, it is important to use non-finite verbs correctly in order to avoid confusion or ambiguity.
In particular, it is important to avoid “dangling participles,” where the participle modifies a noun that is not present in the sentence, or “split infinitives,” where an adverb is inserted between “to” and the base form of the verb (e.g. “to boldly go”). By using non-finite verbs correctly, writers can make their sentences more expressive and precise.
How Do You Identify a Non-finite Verb in a Sentence?
Identifying a non-finite verb in a sentence can be done by looking at the form of the verb and the role it plays in the sentence. There are three types of non-finite verbs: infinitives, gerunds, and participles.
1. Infinitives
Infinitives are formed by adding “to” before the base form of the verb (e.g. “to run,” “to eat,” “to sleep”). To identify an infinitive in a sentence, look for the word “to” followed by a base verb form. Examples of infinitives include:
- She wants to go to the park.
- I need to finish my homework.
- He likes to watch movies on the weekend.
2. Gerunds
Gerunds are formed by adding “-ing” to the base form of the verb (e.g. “running,” “eating,” “sleeping”). To identify a gerund in a sentence, look for a word ending in “-ing” that is used as a noun. Examples of gerunds include:
- Swimming is good exercise.
- Eating vegetables is important for good health.
- Reading is one of my favorite hobbies.
3. Participles
Participles are formed by adding “-ing” or “-ed” to the base form of the verb (e.g. “running,” “eaten,” “slept”). To identify a participle in a sentence, look for a word that ends in “-ing” or “-ed” that is used as an adjective. Examples of participles include:
- The children playing in the park are having fun.
- The broken vase needs to be fixed.
- The tired athlete slept for twelve hours.
In addition to identifying the form of the verb, it is important to look at the role it plays in the sentence. Non-finite verbs are not the main verb of a sentence and are often used as modifiers or complements. For example, in the sentence “I like to run in the morning,” the infinitive “to run” is the direct object of the verb “like.”
In the sentence “Running is good exercise,” the gerund “running” is the subject of the sentence. In the sentence “The pizza, eaten quickly, was not very enjoyable,” the participle “eaten” is used as an adjective modifying the noun “pizza.”
By identifying the form of the verb and its role in the sentence, it is possible to accurately identify non-finite verbs and understand their function in a sentence.