nonfinite
- adjective
- /nɒnˈfaɪnɪt/
- Specialized
:
no finito
- In English grammar, a nonfinite verb such as 'to run' can act as a noun or adjective rather than showing tense.
- nonfinite clauses
- nonfinite options
- finite or nonfinite
Examples
-
When clauses were coded, both finite and nonfinite verbs were included (for further information on clause coding, see Nippold, 2010b).
Academic text (2012) -
The graphology disrupts the syntax: sometimes noun phrases are isolated; sometimes a verbal process is left hanging in nonfinite form.
Academic text (1994) -
He also shows that many speakers avoid both the conservative and the innovative nonfinite options in favor of the neutral finite S2 option.
Academic text (1995) -
The five OSp nonfinite S2 are all cl + cl.
Academic text (1995) -
Research by Chamberlain shows that already by Late Latin, nearly 70% of the nonfinite S2 with causatives lacked subjects, and that figure may in fact be much higher.
Academic text (1995) -
By ModSp, there are virtually no examples of mandar with either finite or nonfinite S2 in the case of an S2 object clitic.
Academic text (1995) -
With fazer, 20/20 of nonfinite clauses were cl + cl in OSp, and 17/17 in MidSp.
Academic text (1995) -
With mandar, the preference for finite over nonfinite S2 with an object clitic is even more pronounced, being 20/25 cases in OSp and 20/20 in MidSp: PREFORMATTED TABLE
Academic text (1995) -
In addition, we will show not only a shift from the nonfinite cl + cl to cl -- cl, but also an increase in the use of finite complements at the expense of the older nonfinite option cl + cl.
Academic text (1995) -
In addition, we will show not only a shift from the nonfinite cl + cl to cl -- cl, but also an increase in the use of finite complements at the expense of the older nonfinite option cl + cl.
Academic text (1995)
Synonyms
A verb form that does not show tense, person, or number, like to eat and eating
Antonyms
How Finite
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Nonfinite comes from non- ('not') and finite ('limited' or 'having an end'). So a nonfinite verb form is 'not limited' by tense, person, or number, for example the infinitive 'to run' or a participle, which do not change for the subject or tense.