Study Notes on Verbs: Finite and Non-Finite

Definition of Verbs

• Verb: A word or a group of words that show what someone or something does.

Kinds of Verbs

• Verbs can be categorized into two main types: Finite Verbs and Non-Finite Verbs.

Finite Verbs

• Definition: A finite verb is a verb that completes the statement of a sentence and is determined by the subject's (nominative) number and person.
• Characteristics:
  • Completes the sentence's statement.
  • Its form is determined by the subject's number and person.
• Example:
  • Sentence: "Shapna sings a song."
  • Subject: Shapna
  • Finite Verb: sings
  • Analysis:
    • The verb "sings" is a finite verb that completes the meaning of the sentence.
    • The subject "Shapna" determines the verb form.

Non-Finite Verbs

• Definition: A non-finite verb is a verb that does not complete the statement of a sentence and is not determined by any subject's number or person.
• Characteristics:
  • Does not complete the sentence's statement and does not convey a complete thought.
  • Its form is not influenced by the subject's number and person.
• Example:
  • Sentence: "Shapna likes to sing a song."
  • Subject: Shapna
  • Finite Verb: likes
  • Non-Finite Verb: to sing
  • Analysis:
    • The verb "likes" indicates the action varying by the subject's attributes.
    • The phrase "to sing" functions as a non-finite verb that does not complete the sentence's meaning on its own.

Summary of Verb Types

• Finite Verbs serve to complete the sentence's meaning and depend on the subject for their forms.
• Non-Finite Verbs do not complete the sentence, conveying an incomplete thought and independent of the subject's attributes.