FUNCTION OF NON-FINITE VERBS
Non-finite verbs are verb forms that do not show
tense or person. They are not conjugated to
match a specific subject, and they can't function
as the main verb of a sentence. Instead, non-
finite verbs serve various other functions in
sentences. There are three main types of non-
finite verbs: infinitives, gerunds, and participles.
Let's explore the functions of each:
1. Infinitives:
- Infinitives are the base form of a verb,
typically preceded by "to" (e.g., "to walk," "to
eat," "to study").
- Functions of infinitives:
- To express purpose: Infinitives often explain
why an action is performed.
- Example: She went to the store to buy some
groceries.
- After certain verbs: Infinitives are used after
verbs like "want," "need," "hope," and "decide"
to indicate what someone wants or intends to
do.
- Example: He wants to visit the museum.
- As a subject or object: Infinitive phrases can
serve as the subject or object of a sentence.
- Example: To learn a new language requires
dedication. (Infinitive phrase as the subject)
- Example: She asked him to help her with
the project. (Infinitive phrase as the object)
A bare infinitive, also known as a base infinitive,
is the simplest form of a verb. In English, most
infinitives are formed by adding "to" before the
base form of the verb (e.g., "to go," "to eat," "to
study"). However, in certain constructions and
after specific verbs, the base form of the verb is
used without "to," and this is referred to as the
bare infinitive.
Common situations where bare infinitives are
used include:
1. After modal verbs: Modal verbs such as "can,"
"could," "will," "would," "shall," "should,"
"must," and "ought to" are followed by bare
infinitives.
- Examples:
- She can swim.
- You must go to the meeting.
2. After some causative verbs: Verbs like "make,"
"let," "have," and "help" are followed by bare
infinitives when they are used to indicate that
someone causes or allows another person to
perform an action.
- Examples:
- She made him clean his room.
- They let us choose our seats.
3. After certain verbs of perception: Verbs like
"see," "hear," "feel," and "watch" can be
followed by bare infinitives when the subject of
the main verb is the same as the subject of the
infinitive.
- Examples:
- I saw him run.
- She heard the birds sing.
4. After "rather" and "had better": In expressions
like "I'd rather," "I had better," and "I would
sooner," the bare infinitive is used.
- Examples:
- I'd rather stay home tonight.
- You had better call them.
Bare infinitives are used in these cases to
maintain sentence clarity and to follow the
grammatical rules associated with these specific
constructions. In other situations, regular
infinitives with "to" are used.
2. Gerunds:
- Gerunds are verb forms ending in "-ing" that
function as nouns.
- Functions of gerunds:
- As the subject of a sentence: Gerunds can
serve as the subject of a sentence.
- Example: Swimming is her favourite hobby.
- As the object of a verb: Gerunds can be the
direct object of a verb.
- Example: I enjoy reading books.
- After prepositions: Gerunds often follow
prepositions.
- Example: She is good at singing.
- As an object of possession: Gerunds can
show that something belongs to someone.
- Example: I appreciate his **helping** me.
3. Participles:
- Participles are verb forms often ending in "-
ing" (present participle) or "-ed" (past participle)
and can function as adjectives or within verb
tenses.
- Functions of participles:
- As adjectives: Participles can describe
nouns.
- Example: The falling leaves covered the
ground. (Present participle as an adjective)
- Example: The broken window needs to be
fixed. (Past participle as an adjective)
- In verb tenses: Participles are used to form
various verb tenses, such as the present
continuous and past perfect.
- Example: She is reading a book. (Present
participle in the present continuous tense)
- Example: They had eaten before the movie
started. (Past participle in the past perfect tense)
In summary, non-finite verbs (infinitives,
gerunds, and participles) play important roles in
sentences, often as subjects, objects, adjectives,
or to indicate purpose. Understanding how to
use these non-finite verb forms correctly
contributes to clear and effective communication
in English.
Difference between gerund and present
participle-
A gerund and a present participle are both forms
of verbs, but they are used in different ways in a
sentence and serve different functions.
1. Gerund:
- A gerund is a verb form that functions as a
noun in a sentence.
- It is created by adding "-ing" to the base form
of a verb (e.g., "walking," "swimming,"
"reading").
- Gerunds are used to name an action or
activity, often as the subject or object of a
sentence.
- They can also be used as the object of a
preposition (e.g., "She is good at singing.").
Examples:
- Walking is good exercise. (Here, "walking" is
the subject of the sentence, functioning as a
noun.)
- I enjoy reading books. (Here, "reading" is the
direct object of the verb "enjoy," functioning as a
noun.)
2. Present Participle:
- A present participle is a verb form that is also
created by adding "-ing" to the base form of a
verb (e.g., "walking," "swimming," "reading").
- Present participles are used in various ways
within sentences, primarily to create verb tenses
(such as the present continuous) and participial
phrases.
- They can also function as adjectives when
used to describe a noun.
Examples:
- She is walking to the store. (Here, "walking" is
part of the present continuous tense, indicating
an ongoing action.)
- The swimming pool is closed for maintenance.
(Here, "swimming" is an adjective describing the
type of pool.)
- Reading quietly, she enjoyed her book. (Here,
"reading" is part of a participial phrase that
describes what she was doing.)
In summary, the key difference between a
gerund and a present participle is their
grammatical function in a sentence:
- A gerund acts as a noun as well as a verb,
representing an activity or action.
- A present participle is a verb form used in verb
tenses, participial phrases, or as an adjective to
describe a noun.
