Finite verbs: A finite verb changes when the tense changes:
He loves swimming. (Simple present tense)
He loved swimming. (Simple past tense)
He is 3rd person singular pronouns (She, it and someone’s name is also 3rd
person)
I, we, they are all 1st person singular pronouns.
A sentence won’t make sense without a finite verb.
A finite verb gives meaning to a sentence.
Non finite verbs do not change when the tense changes.
Richie hates working. (Simple present tense)
Richie hated working. (Simple past tense)
It is not bound by the pronoun (number) and verb agreement.
Sometimes if we leave the non- finite verb out then the sentence will still
make sense. Here is an example:
We must go shopping now.
We must go now.
3 types of non-finites: Infinitives, Participles and Gerunds.
Infinitives:
Infinitives consists with the following: To + verb ( names an action)
Johan is going to wait for his mother.
I will ask him to come. (It complements the verb)
A participle (Is a verbal adjective)
Look at the burning tyres. (Burning acts as both a verb and an adjective)
Present participle consists of the verb + ING
Tired, he dropped to the floor.
Past participle consists of verb + d/ed
Having eaten her lunch, Sheila went to sleep.
Perfect participle consists of Having + d/ed/en
Gerund
A gerund works as both a noun and a verb.
Painting is my hobby.