English Grammer-finite & Non finite

In CBSE Classes 9 & 10 There is a topic in English Grammar- finite  & 

Non-finiteLet us see what is finite & non-finite?

There are two kinds of verbs – Finite & Non-finite. Verb is used in different ways in a sentence and the difference between finite and non-finite verb is depends on the use of verb.

-What is Finite verb?

When a verb is used according to subject, number of subject and according to helping verb, the verb  is called finite verb.

Look at the following examples:

·         He writes stories.

·         We cook food

·         They are working hard

In the above examples you can see the underlined verbs are used according to the subject & helping verbs used in the subject, i.e. in first sentence he is third person singular number andwrites is according to subject, in second sentence we is first person plural number and cook is used accordingly, and same with the third sentence They is third person plural number with helping verb are and verb agreed to they & are, hence called finite verbs.

-What is non-finite verb?

This is what we say just opposite to finite verbs. A verb comes independently in the sentence, in other words- When a verb is not used according to subject, number of subject and according to helping verb, the verb is called non-finite verb.

Look at the following examples:

·         He is ready to write stories.

·         Cooking is his favourite pastime.

·         After completing her work she goes to her grandparents’ home.

In the above examples you can see the underlined verbs are used irrespective to the subject & helping verbs used in the subject, hence called non-finite verbs.

There are three types of non-finite:

·         Gerund

·         Infinitive

·         Participle ( Past & Present)

-What is Gerund?

When a verb (verb + ing) is used in the place of a subject in a sentence, the verb is called Gerund.

Look at the following examples:

·         Smoking is injurious to health.

·         Cooking is his favourite pastime.

·         Swimming is good exercise.

-What is Infinitive?

                When to + verb is used in the sentence, the verb is calledinfinitive.

Look at the following examples:

·         He is working hard to pass the examination.

·         To err is human, to forgive is divine.

·         I wanted to go back.

-What is participle?

A participle is verb which is used other then the main verb in the sentence or act as a main verb in the sentence.

There are two types of participle-

      Present and Past.

   Present Participle-

A Present Participle is a verb + ing form that is used to describe the noun in the sentence, i.e. works as an adejctive. Sometimes it does the work of both verb and adjective.

Look at the following examples:

·         He likes reading.

·         I heard someone knocking the door.

·         She bought a dancing doll.

   Past Participle-

A Past Participle is a verb + d / ed / t  form that is used to describe the noun in the sentence, i.e. works as an adejctive or main verb Sometimes it does the work of both verb and adjective.

Look at the following examples:

·         They have not eaten rotten apples.

·         I saw the broken glass.

·         A motivated speech can change one’s life.

Thanks. Thats all I can do to make it easy for you.

(Your apreciation & thoughts are heartly invited)