A finite verb is a verb that is inflected to show tense, person, number, and mood, and it can function as the main verb in a sentence, expressing a complete thought. Finite verbs are essential in forming complete sentences because they indicate the action or state of being and are tied to the subject. They contrast with non-finite verbs (infinitives, gerunds, and participles), which do not show tense, person, or number and cannot serve as the main verb of a sentence.
Below is a comprehensive explanation of finite verbs, their characteristics, types, and examples.
Characteristics of Finite Verbs
- Show Tense: Finite verbs indicate the time of the action (past, present, future).
- Example: She walks (present), She walked (past), She will walk (future).
- Agree with Subject: They change form to agree with the subject in person (first, second, third) and number (singular, plural).
- Example: I am (first person singular), They are (third person plural).
- Express Mood: Finite verbs reflect the mood of the sentence, such as indicative (facts), imperative (commands), or subjunctive (hypothetical situations).
- Example: He is here (indicative), Be quiet (imperative), If I were rich (subjunctive).
- Complete a Sentence: A finite verb can form a complete sentence with a subject.
- Example: The dog barks. (complete sentence)
- Limited by Subject and Tense: Finite verbs are “finite” because their form is restricted by the subject and tense, unlike non-finite verbs, which are not bound by these constraints.
Types of Finite Verbs
Finite verbs can be categorized based on their function in a sentence:
- Transitive Verbs: These verbs require a direct object to complete their meaning.
- Example: She kicked the ball. (“Kicked” is finite, and “ball” is the object.)
- Intransitive Verbs: These verbs do not require a direct object.
- Example: He sleeps peacefully. (“Sleeps” is finite, with no object.)
- Linking Verbs: These connect the subject to additional information (e.g., be, seem, become).
- Example: They are happy. (“Are” is finite, linking “they” to “happy.”)
- Auxiliary Verbs: These help the main verb express tense, mood, or voice (e.g., have, be, do, will).
- Example: She has finished her homework. (“Has” is a finite auxiliary verb.)
- Modal Verbs: These express possibility, necessity, or ability (e.g., can, must, should).
- Example: You must complete the task. (“Must” is a finite modal verb.)
Finite Verbs vs. Non-Finite Verbs
To understand finite verbs, it’s helpful to compare them with non-finite verbs:
| Feature | Finite Verb | Non-Finite Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Tense | Shows tense (past, present, future) | Does not show tense |
| Subject Agreement | Agrees with subject in person/number | No agreement with subject |
| Examples | Walks, walked, will walk | To walk, walking, walked (participle) |
| Role in Sentence | Can be the main verb | Cannot be the main verb; acts as noun, adjective, or adverb |
| Example Sentence | She sings beautifully. | Singing beautifully, she captivated the audience. |
Examples of Finite Verbs in Sentences
Here are examples showcasing finite verbs in different tenses, persons, numbers, and moods:
- Present Tense:
- Singular: He writes a letter. (“Writes” agrees with “he,” third person singular.)
- Plural: They write letters. (“Write” agrees with “they,” third person plural.)
- Past Tense:
- She ran the marathon yesterday. (“Ran” is finite, indicating past action.)
- We were at the park. (“Were” is finite, linking verb.)
- Future Tense:
- I will sing at the concert. (“Will sing” is finite, showing future action.)
- They shall attend the meeting. (“Shall attend” is finite.)
- Imperative Mood:
- Sit down now. (“Sit” is finite, expressing a command.)
- Listen carefully. (“Listen” is finite.)
- Subjunctive Mood:
- If I were you, I would apologize. (“Were” is finite, subjunctive for hypothetical.)
- She demanded that he leave immediately. (“Leave” is finite, subjunctive.)
- Auxiliary and Modal Verbs:
- They have just arrived. (“Have” is finite, auxiliary.)
- You can join us later. (“Can” is finite, modal.)
Identifying Finite Verbs
To identify a finite verb in a sentence:
- Check if the verb shows tense (past, present, future).
- Verify if it agrees with the subject in person and number.
- Ensure it can stand as the main verb of a complete sentence.
Example Analysis:
- Sentence: Running fast, she caught the bus.
- “Running” is non-finite (participle, no tense or subject agreement).
- “Caught” is finite (past tense, agrees with “she”).
- Sentence: I want to learn coding.
- “Want” is finite (present tense, agrees with “I”).
- “To learn” is non-finite (infinitive, no tense or subject agreement).
Common Mistakes with Finite Verbs
- Using Non-Finite Verbs as Main Verbs:
- Incorrect: She to sing beautifully. (“To sing” is non-finite; cannot be main verb.)
- Correct: She sings beautifully.
- Subject-Verb Agreement Errors:
- Incorrect: He run every day. (“Run” does not agree with “he.”)
- Correct: He runs every day.
- Confusion with Verb Phrases:
- In “She has been singing,” both “has” (finite auxiliary) and “been” (part of the verb phrase) contribute, but only “has” is finite because it shows tense and agrees with the subject.
Practice Exercise
Identify the finite verbs in the following sentences:
- The children are playing in the park.
- To win the game, you must practice daily.
- If I were taller, I would play basketball.
- She has been working on her project for weeks.
Answers:
- Are (finite, present tense, agrees with “children”).
- Must (finite, modal verb, present tense).
- Were, would (finite, subjunctive and modal verbs).
- Has (finite, auxiliary verb).
Key Points to Remember
- Finite verbs are the backbone of a sentence, providing tense, agreement, and mood.
- They differ from non-finite verbs, which function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
- Always ensure subject-verb agreement when using finite verbs.
- Finite verbs can be transitive, intransitive, linking, auxiliary, or modal.
