In Grade 6, understanding the difference between finite and non-finite verbs is key to building strong sentences. Here's a breakdown:
What are Finite Verbs?
A finite verb is a verb that:
- Has a subject: It is connected to a specific person or thing performing the action.
- Acts as the main verb: It is the core verb in the sentence, not a helper or modifier.
- Shows tense: It indicates when the action takes place (past, present, or future).
- Agrees with the subject: It changes form to match whether the subject is singular or plural, and whether it is first, second, or third person (I, you, he/she/it, we, they).
For example:
| Sentence | Finite Verb | Subject | Tense | Subject Agreement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I walk to school. | walk | I | Present | Agrees with "I" |
| She walked home. | walked | She | Past | Agrees with "She" |
| They are walking. | are walking | They | Present | Agrees with "They" |
Key Point: Finite verbs make a statement that can stand on its own.
What are Non-Finite Verbs?
A non-finite verb is a verb that:
- Does not have a specific subject: It's not directly tied to a person or thing doing the action.
- Does not show tense: It doesn't indicate past, present, or future.
- Does not change with the subject: It keeps the same form regardless of the subject.
- Usually appears as an infinitive (to + verb), a gerund (verb + -ing), or a participle (verb + -ing/-ed/-en).
For example:
- Infinitives: I like to swim. (Here, "to swim" doesn't indicate who is doing the swimming, or when)
- Gerunds: Swimming is good exercise. ("Swimming" doesn't have a subject and doesn't show tense)
- Participles: The broken toy was on the floor. ("Broken" doesn't have a subject and doesn't show tense)
Key Point: Non-finite verbs cannot make a sentence on their own and often act like nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
Summary Table
| Feature | Finite Verb | Non-Finite Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | Has a subject | Does not have a direct subject |
| Tense | Shows tense (past, present, future) | Does not show tense |
| Subject Agreement | Agrees with subject in number/person | Does not change with the subject |
| Examples | walk, walked, is walking | to swim, swimming, broken |
| Function | Main verb in a sentence | Acts as a noun, adjective, or adverb; cannot stand alone |
Understanding the difference between finite and non-finite verbs is important for constructing grammatically correct and complex sentences. The table and explanations provided above will help you identify these verbs in your own writing and reading.
