Understanding Nonfinite Verbs
Nonfinite verbs are verb forms that do not indicate tense, person, or number. They cannot stand alone as the main verb of a sentence. Instead, they function as other parts of speech, such as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
Key Concepts
- Participles: Verb forms ending in -ing (present participle) or -ed/-en (past participle) that function as adjectives or parts of verb phrases.
- Gerunds: Verb forms ending in -ing that function as nouns.
- Infinitives: The base form of a verb, often preceded by ‘to’, functioning as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
Deep Dive: Forms and Functions
Participles are crucial for creating complex sentences. Present participles (-ing) describe ongoing actions (e.g., ‘the running water’). Past participles (-ed, -en) often denote a completed action or state (e.g., ‘a broken window’).
Gerunds replace nouns. ‘Swimming is fun.’ Here, ‘swimming’ is the subject of the sentence.
Infinitives (e.g., ‘to swim’, ‘to eat’) can act as subjects, objects, or complements. ‘She wants to learn.’ ‘To err is human.’
Applications in Sentence Structure
Nonfinite verbs add variety and conciseness. They are used in participial phrases, infinitive phrases, and gerund phrases to modify nouns, verbs, or entire clauses, enriching sentence structure and meaning.
Challenges and Misconceptions
A common confusion is between gerunds and present participles, as both end in -ing. The key is their function: gerunds are nouns, while participles are adjectives or part of verb tenses. Another is mistaking a nonfinite verb phrase for a complete sentence.
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between a finite and a nonfinite verb?
A: Finite verbs change form to show tense, person, and number, acting as the main verb. Nonfinite verbs do not change and function as other parts of speech.
Q: Can a nonfinite verb be the main verb of a sentence?
A: No, nonfinite verbs cannot be the main verb of an independent clause.
Q: Give an example of each type.
A: Participle: ‘The smiling child.’ Gerund: ‘Reading is my hobby.’ Infinitive: ‘He decided to go.’