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Glite Dictionary
non-finite

non-finite

7.4
A verb form that does not show tense, person, or number, like to eat and eating
  • adjective
  • /nɑnˈfaɪnɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : no finito
  • Both gerunds and infinitives are considered non-finite verb forms because they do not change according to tense.

Examples

  • Gerunds and infinitives are both examples of non-finite verb forms in English.

  • Participle clauses often use non-finite verbs to convey additional information.

  • In the sentence 'She wants to leave', 'to leave' is a non-finite verb form.

  • A non-finite verb does not show tense.

  • What are non-finite verbs?

  • In English grammar, the phrase 'to swim' is an example of a non-finite verb form, which does not agree with the subject.

  • Using non-finite verbs in sentences can make them more complex and nuanced, such as in participle constructions.

Synonyms

nonfinite
vsnon-finite
  • Specialized
8.5

A verb form that does not change for tense, subject, or number

is written with a hyphen in more traditional usage

Antonyms

finite
  • Specialized
2 5.8

A verb form that shows tense and agrees with the subject

Surface Forms

non-finite positive

Morphology

non-finite = finite (transparent) = non + finite

A straightforward negation formed by the productive English prefix 'non-' applied to the adjective 'finite', so the meaning is directly derivable.

Etymology

The word non-finite comes from the parts non- meaning 'not' and finite meaning 'having an end' or 'a limit', the same idea you see in the word finish. So a non-finite verb form is 'not limited' by tense, person, or number.