The Grammaring Guide to English Grammar with Exercises

The difference between finite and non-finite verb forms

Finite verb forms

Finite verb forms are marked by inflection and indicate person, number and tense. A finite verb can be the single main verb in a sentence.

For example, the finite forms of the verb go are:

go (present tense in all persons except the third person singular) I go to school in the afternoon.

goes (present tense in the third person singular) Mia goes to school by bus every day.

went (past tense) Yesterday, we went to school at 9 am.

Non-finite verb forms

Non-finite verb forms do not indicate person, number or tense.

The non-finite forms of the verb go are:

go (infinitive) I can't go with you.

Unfortunately, she had to go.

Do you really go out with her?

I didn't go to work today.

I want to go home.

going (gerund) I like going to the cinema.

Carol suggested going for a walk.

Going faster would have been really dangerous.

gone (past participle) Jack has gone away on holiday.

By the time Sue returned, the others had gone back to their cars.

I wish I had gone to university.

going (present participle) I'm going to a concert tonight.

I heard my dad going up the stairs.

Going across the bridge last night, I saw someone swimming in the river.

The infinitive, the gerund and the participle have other forms, which are discussed in detail in the following chapters.