The difference between finite and non-finite verb forms
Finite verb forms
Finite verb forms are marked by inflection and indicate person, number and tense. A finite verb can be the single main verb in a sentence.
For example, the finite forms of the verb go are:
- go (present tense in all persons except the third person singular)
- goes (present tense in the third person singular)
- went (past tense)
I go to school in the afternoon.
Mia goes to school by bus every day.
Yesterday, we went to school at 9 am.
Non-finite verb forms
Non-finite verb forms do not indicate person, number or tense.
The non-finite forms of the verb go are:
- go (infinitive)
- going (gerund)
- gone (past participle)
- going (present participle)
I can't go with you.
Unfortunately, she had to go.
Do you really go out with her?
I didn't go to work today.
I want to go home.
I like going to the cinema.
Carol suggested going for a walk.
Going faster would have been really dangerous.
Jack has gone away on holiday.
By the time Sue returned, the others had gone back to their cars.
I wish I had gone to university.
I'm going to a concert tonight.
I heard my dad going up the stairs.
Going across the bridge last night, I saw someone swimming in the river.
The infinitive, the gerund and the participle have other forms, which are discussed in detail in the following chapters.
