Definition

Adjective: 1. Not limited by person, number, or tense: Describes a verb form that does not show agreement with a subject (person or number) and is not anchored to a specific time. It cannot function as the main verb in an independent clause. 2. Lacking grammatical finiteness: Refers to a verb form that is not conjugated and does not indicate mood (e.g., indicative, imperative). It often functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb within a sentence.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • In the sentence "I want to leave," "to leave" is a non-finite verb form (an infinitive).
  • "Walking" in "Walking is good exercise" is a non-finite verb (a gerund).
  • The non-finite clause "Having finished his work," he went home" uses a participle.

Advanced Usage

• Non-finite clause: A clause containing a non-finite verb. These clauses are often subordinate and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
  • Example: "To err is human." (The non-finite clause "To err" is the subject of the sentence.)
• Non-finite verb phrase: A phrase headed by a non-finite verb, which may include objects or modifiers.
  • Example: "She enjoys reading mystery novels." (The non-finite verb phrase "reading mystery novels" functions as the direct object.)

Variants and Related Words

• Finite (adj.): The opposite grammatical category. A finite verb shows tense, person, and number and can be the main verb in a clause (e.g., "She ," "They ").
• Infinitive (n.): A type of non-finite verb, often preceded by "to" (e.g., , ).
• Gerund (n.): A non-finite verb form ending in "-ing" that functions as a noun (e.g., is fun).
• Participle (n.): A non-finite verb form (present participle ending in "-ing" or past participle often ending in "-ed," "-en," etc.) that functions as an adjective (e.g., a tap, a window).

Synonyms

• Unconjugated
• Infinite (in grammatical context)

Related Phrases

• Non-finite construction: A grammatical structure built around a non-finite verb form.
  • Example: The phrase "For him to apologize was unexpected" contains a non-finite construction.

Adjective

1. of verbs; having neither person nor number nor mood (as a participle or gerund or infinitive)
   • infinite verb form