All forms of the verb except INFINITIVES and PARTICIPLES (-ing form and -ed form), are called finite verbs. Finite verbs can normally be changed from Present Simple Tense to Past Simple Tense, or from Past Simple Tense to Present Simple Tense.
Ex: Ronaldo kicked the ball. ↔ Ronaldo kicks the ball.
Modal auxiliaries (can, will, should, etc) are always finite.
MAIN CLAUSES contain finite VERB PHRASES. Non-finite verb phrases are generally found only in SUBORDINATE CLAUSES. Let's see example below:
(1) Kicking the ball, he injured his foot.
- Kicking is a non-finite verb.
- injured is a finite verb.
(2) He kicked the ball. He injured his foot.
- kicked is a finite verb.
- injured is also a finite verb.
In a finite verb phrase, the first verb is the only one which is finite. The other words cannot change. For example:
| subject | finite verb phrase | object / complement / adverbial | |
|---|---|---|---|
| finite verb | non-finite verb | ||
| He | may | have kicked | the ball. |
| He | might | have kicked | the ball. |
I hope this article helps. If you have any question, please leave a comment below.
No comments:
Post a Comment