Fun with Finite and Non-finite Verb

Finite and Non-finite Verb

Keep watching !!

Exercises on Finite and Non-Finite Clause

Hi everyone !!

 

In each of the following sentences, decide whether the bracketed clauses are finite or nonfinite.

 

1. [Everybody left just after the ceremony]	a) Finite b) Nonfinite
2. [Inviting your sister] was not a great decision	a) Finite b) Nonfinite
3. I’ll be home around ten [if my train is on time]	a) Finite b) Nonfinite
4. [They expect Susan to do all the work]	a) Finite b) Nonfinite
5. [Deprived of oxygen], plants will quickly die	a) Finite b) Nonfinite

Check your answers ! a,b,a,a,b

Review

In 1, the bracketed clause is a matrix clause, so it must be finite. The verb left is a past tense form.

In 2, the bracketed clause is non-finite, since the verb inviting is an -ing form.

In 3, the bracketed clause is a finite subordinate clause. The verb is is a present tense form.

In 4, The bracketed clause is a matrix clause, so like 1, it must be finite. It has a finite verb expect (present tense), though it does have a non-finite subordinate clause within it (Susan to do all the work).

Finally, the bracketed clause in 5 is non-finite, since the verb deprived is an -ed form.

 

 

Finite Clause

Finite Clause

 

What is Finite Clause?

 

A clause that contains a finite verb is called a finite clause. Finite verbs are verb that are marked to show relation between subject and tense.

 

Finite verb phrases carry tense, and the clauses containing them are FINITE CLAUSES:

[1] She writes home every day (finite clause — present tense verb)
[2] She wrote home yesterday (finite clause — past tense verb)

Finite Clause can stands on its own independent. It can also be dependent on another clause.

 

Present and past forms		The following clauses have main verbs in the present tense: John walks. John and Mary walk. The following clauses have main verbs in the past tense: John walked John and Mary walked.
Number Agreement		Both present and past tense verb forms vary according to the number of the subject. In the present tense, regular verbs do. In the past tense only the irregular verb be does: singular subject: John walked plural subject: John and Mary walked. singular subject: John was a clown. plural subject: John and Mary were clowns.
Finite Verbs		We call the present and past tenses of verbs and modals finite forms. All finite verbs agree with their subjects for number. All finite verbs assign nominative case to their subjects.
Finite Clauses		We call any clause wose main verb is a finite verb a finite clause.