THE VERB PHRASE FINITE VERBS AND NON-FINITE VERBS

Verb phrases are either finite or non-finite. The form of these verbs is determined by the function which the verb has in the sentence.

Finite Verbs
Definition: Verb phrases that carry tense are called finite. A finite verb is a lexical verb with or without auxiliaries that acts as the full verb in the predicate. The main verb phrase of the sentence is always finite. They are used only in present and past tense. They can be indicative of passive or active voice and also of number (singular or plural). A finite verb is a form of a verb that has a subject (expressed or implied) and can function as the root of an independent clause. Example: We drink coffee together S V dO A

Drink (present): finite verb S NP PRO Vgp (trans) AUX TENSE We (pres) drink coffee together
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VP NP Adv.P

Adv

The child drinks coca-cola alone S V dO A S NP DET N Vgp (trans) AUX TENSE The child (pres) drinks coca-cola alone V N Adv VP NP Adv.P Drinks (present): finite verb

The baby drank milk twice S V dO A S NP DET N Vgp (trans) AUX TENSE The baby (past) drank milk twice V N Adv VP NP Adv.P Drank (past): finite verb

In a finite verb phrase the first or only verb is finite, and the other verbs (if any) are nonfinite. In a non-finite verb phrase all the verbs are non finite, whereas the number of non-finite

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verbs can reach up to five or six, or even more. For example, He was believed to have been told to have himself examined. In English, finite verbs lacking subjects are normal in imperative sentences, and also occur in some fragmentary utterances. Come over here! Don't look at him!

Non-Finite Verbs
Definition: Verb phrases that do not carry tense are called non-finite. Non-finite verbs also called verbal are incomplete verb forms that functions as other parts of speech than verbs. They do not indicate any tense, person or number. They are used as nouns, adverbs and adjectives. Infinitives, gerund, present participles, and past participles are all non-finite constructions and they can occur without tensed verbs in subordinate clauses. The verb in a sentence fragment is non-finite verb. Non-finite verbs consist of: Infinitive forms

The infinitive of a verb is considered the "base" form. The infinitive is a verbal (expresses action or a state of being), and functioning as a noun, adjective, or adverb. o Verbs followed immediately by an infinitive: Afford, agree, appear, arrange, ask, cant bear, beg, begin, care, claim, consent, continue, decide, demand, deserve, expect, fail, forget, hate, hesitate, hope, learn, like, love, manage, mean, need, offer, plan, prefer, prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, regret, remember, seem, cant stand, start, struggle, swear, threaten, try, volunteer, wait, want, wish. o Verbs followed by a (pro)noun + an infinitive: Advise, allow, ask, beg, cause, challenge, convince, dare, encourage, expect, forbid, force, hire, instruct, invite, need, order, permit, persuade, remind, require, teach, tell, urge, want, warn. To Infinitive (to + verb form)

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A main verb followed by the particle to. Infinitives introduced by to can function as noun phrases, or even as modifiers of nouns. She tries to love her cat Tries (present): finite verb, to love (to infinitive): non-finite verb S NP PRO Vgp (trans) AUX TENSE She (pres) tries to V P NP N love her cat DET N VP PP NP

Isyya failed to mail a message Failed: finite verb, to mail (to infinitive): non-finite verb S NP N Vgp (trans) AUX TENSE Isyya (past) failed to V P NP N mail a message
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VP PP NP

DET

Bare Infinitive

Bare infinitive, which is infinitive without to. As used with modal auxiliary verbs. My father will drink tea tomorrow S V dO A drink (bare infinitive): non-finite verb S NP DET N Vgp (trans) AUX MOD My father Gerund forms will drink tea tomorrow V N Adv VP NP Adv.P

Will (present): finite verb,

A gerund is a verbal form that ends in ing and functions as a noun. A gerund has the same form as a progressive active participle, ending in -ing. Gerunds typically appear as subject or object noun phrases, direct object, subject complement, or even as the object of a preposition. Verbs followed by a gerund: Admit, advise, anticipate, appreciate, avoid, cant bear, begin, complete, consider, continue, delay, deny, discuss, dislike, enjoy, finish, forget, help, cant help, keep, like, love, mention, mind, miss, postpone, practice, prefer, quit, recall, recollect, recommend, regret, remember, resent, resist, risk, cant stand, start, stop, suggest, tolerate, try, understand. Example: Linda loves camping in the woods Loves (present): finite verb, camping (gerund as object): non-finite verb
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S NP N Vgp (trans) AUX TENSE Linda (pres) loves camping in V N P DET the NP N woods VP NP PP

The children appreciated my singing S V dO singing (gerund as direct object): non-finite verb

Appreciated (past): finite verb, S NP DET N

VP Vgp (trans) AUX TENSE V DET N NP

The -

children The Participle forms

(past)

appreciated

my

singing

Participle that typically expresses completed action. Participle always acts as adjectives. Present Participle

Present participle (-ing form) can be used as an adjective. It used in active voice.
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This book is an interesting book S V sC interesting (present participle): non-finite verb S NP DET N Vgp (intens) AUX TENSE This book Past Participle (pres) is an V DET Adj.P Adj interesting book N VP NP

Is (present): finite verb,

Past participle (-ed form) can be used as an adjective. It is not passive voice because it expresses a stative meaning. The door is broken S V sC is (pres): finite verb,
S NP DET N Vgp (intens) AUX TENSE The door (pres) was broken 7|syntax V Adj VP Adj.P

broken (past participle): non-finite verb

He had a broken arm S V dO broken (past participle - an adjective): non-finite verb S NP PRO Vgp (trans) AUX TENSE He (past) had a V DET Adj.P Adj broken arm N VP NP

Had (past): finite verb,

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REFERENCES Greenbaum, Sydney and Nelson, Gerald. 2002. An Introduction to English Grammar. London: Longman. Berk, Lynn M. 1999. English Syntax: from word to discourse. New York: Oxford University Press. Frank, Marcella. 1972. Modern English A Practical Reference Guide. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Azhar, Betty Schrampfer. 2009. Understanding and Using English Grammar. USA: Pearson Longman. http://www.english.wisc.edu/rfyoung/324/VGP.pdf Accessed on, Thursday, April 11, 2013 http://www.grammaring.com/the-difference-between-finite-and-non-finite-verb-forms Accessed on, Thursday, April 11, 2013

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