Finite Verbs

Definition of finite verb :

    a verb that has a subject, this means that it can be the main verbs in a sentences. It shows tense (past/present, etc) or number (singular/plural), A finite verb makes an assertion or expresses a state of being and can stand by itself as the main verb of a sentence.

Example of finite verb

—  I cook, she reads, Anto went

—  Dina has eaten when Ria come in, By itself, the verb form eaten is called a non-finite verb When the auxiliary has and the non-finite verb eaten are put together, they make up a finite verb form has eaten.

—  Tamara was walking. Walking is non-finite and was is to be. When they are put together, they make up finite form was walking

—  Definition of non-finite verb :

   a verb has no subject, tense, or number. The only finite verb forms are the infinitive (indicated by to), the gerund or the participle (present/past), nonfinite verbs must ordinarily combine with a modal , an auxiliary verb, or the infinitival particle to.

—  Example of nonfinite verb

—  Verbs ending in -ing. These are called present participles, they were cooking in Sinta’s house.

—  This non-finite verb form end in -ed; many also end in en. These are called past participles. I have written my letter ( the past participle written is non-finite and can’t be the main verb).

—  Talking is the children’s favorite pastime. ( talking is a gerund, verb to be noun)

—  I can’t afford to go out tonight
The infinitive can have the following forms:

—  The perfect infinitive
to have + past participle

For example: to have broken, to have seen, to have saved.
This form is most commonly found in Type 3 conditional sentences, using the conditional perfect.

For example:

—  If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake.

—  Someone must have broken the window and climbed in.

—  I would like to have seen the Taj Mahal when I was in India.

—  He pretended to have seen the film.

—  If I'd seen the ball I would have caught it.