Definition:
A form of the verb that does not show a distinction in tense. Verbs and verb phrases acting as adjectivals, adverbials, and nominals within the sentence are called nonfinite verbs. Contrast with finite verb. See also: verbal.
Examples and Observations:
- "A non-finite verb differs from a finite verb in that it cannot (normally) be used as the main verb of a clause. Typically, the non-finite verb lacks agreeement for person, number, and gender with its first argument or Subject, is unmarked or reduced with respect to distinctions of Tense, Aspect, and Mood, and has certain properties in common with adjectival or nominal predicates. The main types of non-finite verbs are infinitives, participles, and nominalized verbs [gerunds]."
(Simon C. Dik and Kees Hengeveld, The Theory of Functional Grammar. Walter de Gruyter, 1997) - "There are three types of nonfinite verb-forms in English: viz. (i) uninflected infinitive forms which comprise simply the base or stem of the Verb with no added inflection (such forms are frequently used after the so-called infinitive-particle to; (ii) gerund forms which comprise the base plus the -ing suffix; (iii) and (perfect/passive) participle forms which generally comprise the base plus the -(e)n inflection (though there are numerous irregular participle forms in English). Thus, the bracketed clauses in (4) below are all nonfinite, because they contain only nonfinite verb-forms: for example the italicised verb in (4)(a) is an infinitive, that in (4)(b) is a gerund, and that in (4)(c) is a (passive) participle:
(4) (a) I've never known [John (to) be so rude to anyone]
(4) (b) We don't want [it raining on your birthday]
(4) (c) I had [my car stolen from the car-park]"
(Andrew Radford, Transformational Grammar: A First Course. Cambridge Univ. Press, 1988)
Alternate Spellings: non-finite verb
