Difference between revisions of "Finite"
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(Beware: non-finite is not the same as [[infinitive]]. The '''infinitive''' is one non-finite form of the verb.) | (Beware: non-finite is not the same as [[infinitive]]. The '''infinitive''' is one non-finite form of the verb.) | ||
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| + | Non-mathematicians should be careful with the word ''infinite''. Don't use it unless you really mean it, and avoid expressions such "nearly infinite". Mathematicians know better, of course. | ||
[[category:Grammar]][[category:Clause structure]][[category:Grammar Course]] [[category:Grammar concepts]] | [[category:Grammar]][[category:Clause structure]][[category:Grammar Course]] [[category:Grammar concepts]] | ||
Revision as of 14:22, 22 May 2007
| This article is part of the grammar course.
You may choose to follow it in a structured way, or read each item separately. |
Verb forms can be divided in many ways. One of great use to students of grammar, but not necessarily to those who only want to use English better, is the division between finite and non-finite.
- Finite verb forms are those whose meanings have certain boundaries. In English, the boundary that matters most is tense. A finite verb is one whose tense can be known. The other boundaries are those of number and person.
It follows that
- non-finite verbs are forms, and uses, of verbs that are not distinguishable by tense, person or number. Non-finite forms include infinitives, participles and verbal nouns.
(Beware: non-finite is not the same as infinitive. The infinitive is one non-finite form of the verb.)
Non-mathematicians should be careful with the word infinite. Don't use it unless you really mean it, and avoid expressions such "nearly infinite". Mathematicians know better, of course.
