00:02Finite and non-finite verbs
00:06Finite verbs change form according to the subject, and they also show tense.
00:12Non-finite verbs do not change to match the subject, and they do not show tense.
00:18For example, Brent likes running in marathons.
00:22Take the verb likes. It agrees with the subject.
00:28We know this because if we were to change the subject to they, for example, we would need to change
00:34the verb to reflect this.
00:37Likes becomes like. They like running in marathons.
00:42The verb like also shows us the tense. The sentence is in present tense.
00:49We can change the tense by altering this verb.
00:53Brent liked running in marathons.
00:55Now the sentence is showing past tense.
00:59Because the verb likes shows tense and has changed to match the subject, it is a finite verb.
01:06It's the main verb in the sentence.
01:09The main verb of a sentence will always be finite.
01:13It's not the only verb in the sentence, however.
01:17Running is also a verb, but it's acting in a very different way.
01:22It's not showing tense, and it didn't change when we changed the subject to they.
01:27For these reasons, running is a non-finite verb.
01:32A non-finite verb cannot be the main verb in a sentence.
01:37There are three types of non-finite verbs.
01:41Gerunds, participles, past and present, and infinitives.
01:47Let's take a look at some examples of each.
01:51We'll start with gerunds.
01:55Gerunds are verbs that act as nouns.
01:59Look at these three sentences, and see if you can spot the non-finite verbs, the gerunds.
02:06Surfing is great fun.
02:08Brian was tired of waiting.
02:11Jasmine likes sitting under the tree.
02:16Here they are.
02:18Surfing, waiting, and sitting.
02:22These are all gerunds.
02:24Verbs acting as nouns.
02:27They do not change to match the subject, and they do not show tense.
02:31As such, these verbs are non-finite.
02:36These verbs are finite.
02:38Is, was, and likes.
02:41They indicate tense, and they have changed to match the subject.
02:47A second type of non-finite verbs are participles, past and present.
02:54Look at these sentences, and see if you can spot the non-finite verbs, the participles.
03:01Pause here while you look.
03:04Here they are.
03:06Wishing.
03:07Warmed.
03:08Flaying.
03:09Marking.
03:10Decided.
03:12The participles are acting as adjectives in the first two sentences.
03:17In the last three sentences, they are forming verb tense with the help of auxiliary verbs.
03:23These verbs are non-finite, because they do not change to match the subject, and they do not show tense
03:30on their own.
03:34These verbs are finite.
03:37They indicate tense, and they have changed to match the subject.
03:44The third type of non-finite verbs are infinitives.
03:48Infinitives are the base form of a verb.
03:51They are usually preceded by the word to.
03:54For example, to swim.
03:56To know.
03:59Look at these sentences, and see if you can spot the non-finite verbs.
04:04The infinitives.
04:06Pause while you look.
04:09Here they are.
04:11To travel.
04:12To visit.
04:13To become.
04:14These are all infinitives.
04:17They do not change to match the subject, and they do not show tense.
04:20They are non-finite verbs.
04:25These verbs are finite.
04:28Planned.
04:29Is.
04:30And wants.
04:31They indicate tense, and they have changed to match the subject.
04:38Now it's your turn to test yourself.
04:41Work out whether the underlined verbs in the following sentences are finite or non-finite.
04:47Remember, finite verbs change form according to the subject, and they also show tense.
04:53Non-finite verbs do not change to match the subject, and they do not show tense.
04:59Pause here while you work.
05:01Let's see how you went.
05:03These verbs are non-finite.
05:06Running.
05:07Crying.
05:08To pass.
05:09Writing.
05:10Releasing.
05:11Smoked.
05:14These verbs are finite.
05:17Is.
05:18Fell.
05:19Helps.
05:20Ate.
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