Finite verbA part of speech that expresses an action or a state. E.g.: John seldom plays tennis. forms

The finite forms of a verb are those that are marked by inflectionA change in or addition to the form of a word that shows a change in the way it is used in sentences. E.g.: He likes what you cooked. ("-s", "-ed"), that is, they indicate the timeA concept which is related to our perception of reality; that part of existence which is measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, etc. and/or the subjectThe person or thing that performs the action of a verb or that is described by a verb. E.g.: Andy has never been to Brunei. ("Andy") of the actionA general term expressing that somebody or something does something. Therefore the finite forms of, for example, the verb go are:

• go (the one used in affirmativeA declarative sentence indicating "yes"; also called a positive sentence. E.g.: John likes squash a lot. sentences in present simple)

I go to school every second week.

• goes (used in third person singular in affirmative sentences present simple)

Julie goes to school by bus every day.

• went (in affirmative sentences in past simple)

Yesterday she went to school on foot.

Non-finite verb forms

The non-finite forms are those that do not provide any information as to the time or the subject of the action. So the non-finite forms of the verb go are:

• go (the one used after modals, after to, in questions and negativeA declarative sentence indicating "no". E.g.: Tim has no friends. sentences; this is called the infinitive)

I can’t go with you.
Unfortunately, she had to go.
Do you really go out with her?
I don’t go out much these days.

• gone (past participle)

She’s gone biking.

• going (present participle)

I’m going crazy.

• going (gerund)

I like going to the cinema.

• having gone (perfectThe aspect expressing completion. E.g.: He’s finished university. participle)

Having gone to highschool in the USA, she spoke fluent English.

Non-finite forms are the same in past, present and future time and in each person:

You had to go home.
Does she go home every night?
I will never go home.

By the time I got home, they had gone.
Jim is not at home; he’s gone bowling.

My brothers are going home this weekend.
Julie bumped into Geoffrey as he was going home.
Who’s that girl going over there?
He suggested going for a walk.

Guiding questions: non-finite verb forms
Non-finite verb forms The aspect of non-finite forms