Ordinary verbs may sometimes be finite (i.e. they take tense, aspect and number) but may sometimes be non-finite. There are 3 non-finite verb forms: - the infinitive (with or without to): (to) produce - base verb + ing: producing - base verb + ed: produced English needs verbs to perform both finite and non-finite functions because it does not allow two potentially finite verbs to be placed together e.g.: Yesterday I go see the doctor. Yesterday I went to see the doctor. The first verb (go) becomes finite and takes the past tense, and the second verb becomes a nonfinite; in this case, a to-infinitive. The to-infinitive is more frequently found than the bare infinitive, which normally follows modal verbs and the verb do: He will produce outstanding assignments. He does produce outstanding assignments. Note that some verbs always take the ing form: avoid, admit, appreciate, can t help, consider, delay, dislike, don t mind, mention, mind, miss, practice, suggest: I always avoid eating too much in the evening. I delayed spending the money until I was happy with the purchase. Non-finite verb forms Page 1
It is worth noting here that students often have problems with the verb suggest. We cannot say: He suggested me to apply at once. The correct form is: He suggested (that) I apply at once. But we can also say: He suggested applying at once. The ing form: (known as the gerund) is a verbal noun. It has many functions: Swimming keeps you fit. (subject) My favourite hobby is swimming. (subject complement) I love swimming. (object) The gerund can form a negative with not: He likes not working. Not smoking is good for health. Gerunds can be found with possessive forms such as his, her, its, your, their, our, the student s etc.: She hates her husband s smoking. I liked their singing. Non-finite verb forms Page 2
Expressions with go + gerund are common: I go shopping every Saturday. Would you ever go water-skiing? I used to go dancing when I was younger. Gerunds are sometimes found after verb + preposition structures: He is thinking about moving house. I m looking forward to seeing you. He confessed to committing the crime. Non-finite verb forms Page 3
Activity 1 Correct the error in each sentence. 1. You should not make important decisions without think carefully first. 2. Rather than go to sleep, you should listen to lectures! 3. I m looking forward to meeting you. 4. You should ask others for help instead of think you can do everything alone. 5. It is worth to consider carefully how to do this. 6. More opportunities are available now for compare the two systems. 7. It is worth to learn how to do this. 8. Parents often try to stop their children from have a good time. 9. Students should avoid to make their children do too much homework. 10. She managed to go to shopping, despite feeling ill. Non-finites can be placed first in sentences, but this should not be overdone: Giving young people some freedom is better than restricting them completely. To be honest, I don t know the answer. Taken early in his life, this photo captures his spirit well. Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive (with or without to) but the meaning will change. Verbs in this category include forget, leave, regret, remember and stop. Sometimes the meaning difference is subtle: I watched my mother cook the meal. (focus on the completed action) I watched my mother cooking the meal. (focus on the continuous process of cooking) But sometimes the meaning difference is more radical: I stopped to smoke. (stop in order to smoke) I stopped smoking. (quit the habit of smoking) Non-finite verb forms Page 4
Activity 2 Tick the correct sentence in each of the pairs below. 1. a. There are many people who are against teenagers fall in love. b. There are many people who are against teenagers falling in love. 2. a. I suggest you to take more exercise. b. I suggest you take more exercise. 3. a. This is the price patients must pay. b. This is the price patients must to pay. 4. a. Give praise usually gets good results. b. Giving praise usually gets good results. 5. a. She is good at learn English. b. She is good at learning English. 6. a. It is worth to know how to do this. b. It is worth knowing how to do this. 7. a. He should visit his parents more often. b. He should to visit his parents more often. 8. a. She managed doing it at the first attempt. b. She managed to do it at the first attempt. 9. a. I can t bear seeing cruelty to animals. b. I can t bear see cruelty to animals. 10. a. I hope I can avoid to make mistakes. b. I hope I can avoid making mistakes. Non-finite verb forms Page 5