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Verbs

Finite Verbs and Non-finite Verbs in English

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Published on by Grammargeek
2 min read
B1 EnglishB2 English

This lesson covers finite verbs and non-finite verbs. You will learn what a finite verb is and how it differs from a non-finite verb.

The lesson includes example sentences to help clarify the concepts. This will make it easier for you to understand and identify these types of verbs in English.

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Finite Verbs and Non-finite Verbs – Created by 7ESL

Finite Verbs and Non-finite Verbs | Finite Verbs

A finite verb is controlled by the number of the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb is singular. If the subject is plural, the verb is plural.

Examples:

  • The girl runs slowly. (Subject is singular)
  • The girls run slowly. (Subject is plural)

A finite verb is controlled by the person.

Examples:

  • I visit my grandparents at least once a month. (I – First Person)
  • She visits her grandparents at least once a month. (She – Third Person)

A finite verb is controlled by the tense. It can be in the past, present or future tense.

Examples:

  • Mary studies Spanish. (Present Tense)
  • Mary studied Spanish. (Past Tense)

Finite Verbs and Non-finite Verbs | Non-finite Verbs

A non-finite verb is not controlled by the number, person, and tense of the subject.

Examples:

  • I enjoy shopping for clothes and shoes.
  • You enjoy shopping for clothes and shoes.
  • They enjoy shopping for clothes and shoes.

The verb shopping remains unchanged whatever the person, number, and tense of the subject.

Types of Non-finite Verbs:

  1. Infinitives:
    • She can’t go out. (Zero Infinitive)
    • I want to go to the cinema. (To-Infinitive)
  2. Participles:
  3. Gerunds:
    • I like going to the cinema. (Gerund)
B1 Knowledge Check · 5 questions

Finite And Non Finite Verb Forms Practice Quiz (B1-B2)

1 / 5
Q1

Question 1: The manager ___ every report before sending it to the board.

Question 1 options
'Checks' is correct because it is a finite verb that agrees with the singular third-person subject 'the manager' in the present tense. 'Check' lacks the required -s ending for third-person singular, while 'checking' and 'checked' do not function as finite present tense verbs in this context.
Q2

Question 2: Which situation correctly uses a finite verb form?

Question 2 options
'He walks to work every morning' is correct because the verb 'walks' agrees with the singular subject 'he' and is marked for present tense — both features of a finite verb. The other options use non-finite forms (infinitives or gerunds) as the main verb, which cannot anchor a sentence on their own.
Q3

Question 3: Customer: 'Why did you leave your last job?' Applicant: 'I left because I wanted ___ new challenges in a bigger company.'

Question 3 options
'To face' is correct because after the verb 'wanted', a to-infinitive is required to express purpose or desire. 'Facing' would be a gerund, which is not used after 'want'. 'Faced' is a past participle and 'face' is a bare infinitive, neither of which is grammatically correct after 'wanted'.
Q4

Question 4: After a long day at work, she felt too tired ___.

Question 4 options
'To cook dinner' is correct because the adjective phrase 'too tired' is followed by a to-infinitive to express the action that was too difficult to perform. Gerunds and past participles do not follow 'too + adjective' constructions; 'cooking dinner' and 'cook dinner' are also grammatically incorrect in this slot.
Q5

Question 5: Match each sentence to the correct grammar label.

Question 5 options
She decided to apply for the job.
He enjoys cooking Italian food.
They completed the project on time.
Feeling nervous, he walked into the room.
Gerund (non-finite verb)
To-infinitive (non-finite verb)
Present participle (non-finite verb)
Finite verb (past tense, plural subject)

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

Finite verbs are marked for tense and agree with their subject. Non-finite verbs include to-infinitives, gerunds, and present/past participles, which do not change for person, number, or tense.

Practise this topic with the Verb Conjugator.

Open the Verb Conjugator →

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