4. Finite/Non-finite

Finite verbs

  • can stand on their own as main verb

  • have tense

  • have person

  • can be singular/plural

Non-finite verbs

  • cannot be main verb

  • no tense/person/number

→ Gerunds, Participles and Infinitives

Finite clause contains

  • finite verb

  • subject that agrees with verb

  • can be main or subordinate clause in sentence

Non-finite clause

  • non-finite verb as main verb

  • may (often does not)contain subject

  • only subordinate clause

3 types of subordinate clauses, all 3 can be finite/non-finite

  • adjectival clauses modify noun

  • adverbial clauses modify verbs/other clauses

  • noun clauses act like nouns

Adjectival clauses

  • finite adjectival clauses: relative clauses

  • non-finite constructions: abbreviations, often used by native speakers

Adverbial clauses

Of time

→ after, as, as soon as, before, by the time, every time, now (that). once, since, the moment (that), until, when, whenever, while

Comma only if subordinate clause first

→ Non-finite clause: Participle -ing form (if sequence needs to be clear having + part)

Of reason

→ as, beacuse, inasmuch as, insofar as, in that, (just) in case, seeing that, since

Non-finite clause: Participle -ing form

of result

→ in such a way as to, in such a way that, or else, so (...) as to, so (that), so/such… that

(no comma before in such a way, so as to, comma before or else, sp that, such that)

Non finite clause: so + adjective + as to + verb

of purpose

→ for fear that, in order that, in order to, lest, so as to, so that

Non-finite clause: to-infinitive, in order to, so as to

of concession

→ although, even if, even though, no matter, though, whatever, whenever, wherever, while, adj./adv./verb + as

Non-finite clause: Despite/in spite of + gerund

Being generally avoided in non-finite cluases, but 3 instances when used

  1. meaning because

  2. after preposition

  3. to transform passive progressive

Noun clauses

Types:

Noun clause transformation to non-finite

General rules:

  • no commas

  • infinitives clauses containing will/would/should

  • other finite verbs: gerund adding preposition if necessary

Special cases

  • noun clauses in apposition beginning with it is/was → move noun clause to beginning to replace “it”

  • delete phrase “the fact that”

  • constructions with “to be” two ways

    • appropriate preposition + gerund

    • to-infinitive

  • certain verbs (think, feel, believe, imagine, understand, …) followed by clause containing “be”/”have” → non-finite construction: noun + to be/have

Difference Adjectival Clause/Noun clause

  • adjectival clause describes noun

  • noun clause same thing as noun

  • which instead of that only possible in adjectival clauses