What Are Non-Finite Verbs? Definition, Types & Examples
| Type | Telltale Sign | Example in a Sentence (Function) |
|---|---|---|
| Gerund | “-ing” ending | Jogging is fun. (noun; subject) |
| Infinitive | “to” + verb | I like to read. (noun; object) |
| Participle | “-ing” or “-ed”/past form | The barking dog is loud. (adjective) |
What Are Non-finite Verbs?
Non-finite verbs are verb forms that do not show tense or agree with the subject. They include gerunds, infinitives, and participles. Unlike finite verbs, non-finite verbs do not act as the main verb in a sentence.
| Finite Verb | Non-finite Verb |
|---|---|
| He plays football. (shows tense & subject) | Playing football is fun. (no subject or tense) |
| She danced yesterday. | She wants to dance. |
Introduction to the Three Types of Non-finite Verb
- Gerunds: "-ing" forms used as nouns (e.g., swimming)
- Infinitives: "to" + base verb (e.g., to swim)
- Participles: "-ing", "-ed", or irregular forms used as adjectives or verbals (e.g., swimming, swum)
Knowing the types of non-finite verbs helps you identify their roles in sentences. This is crucial for grammar questions in exams and for improving your English fluency.
Easy Examples of Non-finite Verbs
| Type | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Gerund | Subject | Reading improves your mind. |
| Infinitive | Object | She loves to dance. |
| Participle (Present) | Adjective | The running water is cold. |
| Participle (Past) | Adjective | Baked bread is delicious. |
The Three Types of Non-finite Verb in Detail
1. Gerunds
A gerund is a verb form ending in “-ing” that acts as a noun. Gerunds can be subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence. Example: Singing relaxes me. “Singing” is the subject.
2. Infinitives
Infinitives are the “to” + base verb form (to study, to eat). Infinitives can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. Example: I want to succeed. “To succeed” is the object.
3. Participles
Participles function as adjectives or as parts of verb phrases.
- Present Participles: end in “-ing” (e.g., The crying child)
- Past Participles: usually end in “-ed” or are irregular (e.g., boiled eggs, broken vase)
Why Non-finite Verbs Are Important
Non-finite verbs let you be concise and creative. They reduce word count, combine ideas smoothly, and add variety. In exams, you need to spot or use non-finite verb forms to get full marks in grammar sections.
Common Uses and Examples in Daily Life
Gerunds: “Swimming” in “Swimming is healthy.” Used as a noun.
Infinitives: “to win” in “He wants to win.” Used as an object.
Participles: “lost” in “The lost dog was found.” Used as an adjective.
You use non-finite verbs every day, sometimes without even noticing. They make sentences shorter and your meaning clearer.
Non-finite Verbs vs. Finite Verbs
A finite verb shows tense and matches a subject (e.g., She eats). A non-finite verb does not change for tense or subject (e.g., eaten, eating, to eat). This difference helps when analyzing or constructing sentences for school and competitive exams.
How to Identify Non-finite Verbs
- Look for verbs not changing with the subject or tense.
- Check if the verb acts as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
- Gerunds and present participles both end in “-ing”, but gerunds act as nouns, while participles act as adjectives.
Recognizing these forms improves editing, writing, and exam performance. For more practice, see our Finite and Non-finite Verbs Exercises.
Exercises: Test Your Non-finite Verb Knowledge
Identify the non-finite verb: “Eating fruits is beneficial.”
Choose the non-finite verb: “She had to leave early.”
Rewrite using a non-finite verb: “Because she was tired, she left early.” (Tip: Try “Being tired, she left early.”)
Answers: 1. Eating (Gerund), 2. to leave (Infinitive), 3. Example answer: Being tired, she left early.
At Vedantu, we simplify English grammar concepts for all learners. Understanding non-finite verbs helps you score better in school, write well, and speak accurately. Remember: gerunds, infinitives, and participles are the main types, and you use them in English every day. Keep practicing and apply your knowledge in writing and speech.
Summary: Non-finite verbs—gerunds, infinitives, and participles—do not show tense or subject. They act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. Knowing non-finite verbs makes your grammar stronger, writing clearer, and helps you score higher in English exams. Practice with Vedantu’s exercises for mastery.
FAQs on Non-Finite Verbs: Types, Examples, and Uses in English
1. What is a non-finite verb with examples?
Non-finite verbs are verb forms that don't show tense or subject agreement. They describe actions without specifying time or subject. Examples include: gerunds (singing), infinitives (to sing), and participles (singing, sung).
2. How can you identify non-finite verbs in a sentence?
Look for verb forms that lack tense markers (like -ed or -ing for past and present tenses). Non-finite verbs often function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs, not as the main verb of a clause. Keywords to look for include 'to' (infinitive), '-ing' (gerund/participle), or '-ed' (participle).
3. What are the three types of non-finite verbs?
The three main types of non-finite verbs are: gerunds (verb+ing acting as a noun), infinitives (to+verb), and participles (verb forms acting as adjectives or adverbs).
4. What is the difference between finite and non-finite verbs?
Finite verbs show tense and agree with the subject (e.g., he sings, she sang). Non-finite verbs do not show tense or subject agreement (e.g., singing, to sing, sung). Finite verbs are the main verbs in a sentence, while non-finite verbs act as other parts of speech.
5. Is 'to run' a non-finite verb?
Yes, 'to run' is a non-finite verb; specifically, it's an infinitive. Infinitives always begin with 'to' and are followed by the base form of the verb.
6. What are 10 examples of finite verbs?
Finite verbs show tense and number. Here are 10 examples: ran, walks, ate, sleeps, plays, sang, wrote, is, are, was.
7. What is the difference between infinitive and non-finite verb?
An infinitive is a type of non-finite verb. All infinitives are non-finite, but not all non-finite verbs are infinitives. Infinitives always start with 'to' (e.g., to swim), while other non-finite verbs include gerunds and participles.
8. Is dancing a non-finite verb?
Yes, 'dancing' is a non-finite verb; specifically, a gerund because it's a verb ending in '-ing' that functions as a noun.
9. How do you identify non-finite verbs?
Identify non-finite verbs by looking for verb forms lacking tense and subject agreement. They often end in '-ing' (gerunds and present participles), '-ed' (past participles), or begin with 'to' (infinitives). Consider their function in the sentence; they typically act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
10. Can a sentence contain more than one non-finite verb?
Yes, sentences can contain multiple non-finite verbs. For example: "To succeed in life requires working hard and making smart decisions." This sentence uses three: "to succeed" (infinitive), "working" (gerund), and "making" (gerund).
11. Do non-finite verbs ever function as the main verb in any sentence?
No, non-finite verbs cannot function as the main verb of a clause. Only finite verbs can be the main verb. Non-finite verbs serve other grammatical roles, like nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
12. How do non-finite verbs make writing more concise?
Non-finite verbs help make writing more concise by reducing the number of words needed to express an idea. They often replace longer phrases with shorter, more impactful expressions. For example, instead of "because he wanted to help," we can write "to help." This eliminates the need for a subordinate clause, resulting in a more concise sentence.
