Every sentence must contain at least one finite verb. A finite verb changes form to show tense (past/present), person (first/second/third), and number (singular/plural). A non-finite verb does not change for these categories.
Finite Verbs
A finite verb is the main verb of a clause. It has a subject and agrees with it.
| Subject | Finite Verb | Tense | | ------- | -------------- | ------------------ | | She | walks | present | | They | walk | present | | He | walked | past | | I | am walking | present continuous |
She walks to school every day.
Key test: If the verb changes when you change the subject or tense, it is finite.
Non-Finite Verbs
Non-finite verbs never change for tense, person, or number. There are three types:
1. Infinitive (to + verb)
She wants to walk to school.
2. Gerund (verb + -ing, used as a noun)
Walking is healthy.
3. Participle (present -ing or past -ed/-en/-t, used as adjective or in perfect tenses)
The broken window needs replacing.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Finite Verb | Non-Finite Verb | | -------------------- | ------------------------- | ------------------------ | | Shows tense | Yes | No | | Shows person | Yes | No | | Changes with subject | Yes | No | | Can be main verb | Yes | No | | Examples | walks, walked, is walking | to walk, walking, broken |
Identifying Finite vs Non-Finite in Sentences
She loves to read.
- loves → finite (changes to loved in past, love with plural subject)
- to read → non-finite (infinitive, never changes)
Running helps him stay fit.
- Running → non-finite (gerund; never changes, acts as noun)
- helps → finite (changes to helped in past)
The stolen painting was found.
- stolen → non-finite (past participle, no tense change)
- was → finite (changes to were with plural subject)
Common Mistakes
- A sentence cannot have only non-finite verbs — every sentence needs a finite verb. ~~To be happy.~~ → She wants to be happy.
- Confusing a gerund (walking as a noun) with a present participle (walking as part of a continuous tense).