Finite and non-finite verbs

In a sentence, there is normally at least one verb that has both a subject and a tense. When a verb has a subject and a tense, it can be referred to as a finite verb.

We want Charlie to act as club secretary.

I like taking photographs of insects.

Coming home last night, I saw a deer run across the road.

Some forms of a verb are referred to as non-finite. The present and past participles and the to infinitive are the most common of these. The base form is often used in a non-finite way. Every verb can be used in a clause in either a finite or non-finite way.

A verb is finite if it is found in a clause in combination with a subject and a tense.

I walked home.

We saw a deer.

They appreciate a little praise now and then.

It is non-finite if it is used:

without the verb having a tense.

To open, tear off the tab.

Looking around, he noticed a letter on the floor.

Worn out by the heat, they stopped for a drink.

with no agreement between the subject (if there is one) and the verb.

That plan failing, he gave up.

Our guests departed, we felt a little depressed.

A compound verb is actually made up of one finite part, which is always the first auxiliary verb, while the remaining non-finite parts are the base form or the participles.

In the following examples the finite part of the verb phrase is in italic:

I may have been joking when I said that.

Helen was running around screaming.

I had been living in a dream for months.

Olivia is coming round at 6 o’clock this evening.

The present simple and past simple forms of a verb are always finite.

I sing.

We tell stories at night.

Maya laughed.

The shelter collapsed.

A non-finite verb is sometimes used immediately after a finite verb.

I like to get up early at the weekend.

Harriet really dislikes cleaning the cooker.

I certainly wouldn’t want to see him again.

We persuaded them to join us.

Often a noun or pronoun can come between the finite verb and the non-finite one. See The to infinitive and The to infinitive for more on this.

We want Charlie to act as club secretary.

She wanted him to wash his hands in the bathroom.

I don’t like you cleaning your boots over the sink.

When the second verb is an -ing form coming after a noun or pronoun, there can be a difference in grammar between two similar sentences. Both sentences below are acceptable, although the first example might seem ambiguous to some people. In the second sentence, the -ing form is used as a verbal noun. See also The to infinitive and the -ing form.

She didn’t like him cleaning his boots over the sink.

She didn’t like his cleaning his boots over the sink.