Finite and Verb

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Finite verb: Any verb that change, or that may change, in form to match its subject or to indicate present, past or future is a finite verb. It is said to agree with its subject. This is known as agreement or concord. e.g. She teaches English. We teach English. In verb phrases, it is the auxiliary verb that is the finite verb. e.g. He is going to school. They are going to school. Although modal auxiliary verbs are finite verbs and change to indicate reference to the past, the present or the future, they don't, unlike other finite verbs, change in form to agree with their subject. e.g. He can go tomorrow. They can go tomorrow. They could not go last week. Verbs that express wishes or commands are also considered finite verb, even though, they don't change in form to agree with their subject, and infect usually don't have a subject expressed in the sentence at all. e.g. Don't touch him. Non-finite verb: They don't change in form to agree with a subject, or to indicate past, present and future: He is working hard. I am working hard. He was working hard. An infinitive need not always follow an auxiliary verbs, it may also follow a lexical verb. But note that while an auxiliary verb is followed by a bare infinitive (V1), a lexical verb is usually followed by a to + V1. But lexical verb 'let' always followed by bare infinitive (V1). He will come with us. He wants to come with us. Let them come in. Adjective and nouns are sometimes followed by to + V1. e.g.: I am very glad to see you. It is time to take tea. Kinds of non-finite Verb: Infinitive: Infinitives are often used after other verbs. A modal verb is followed by a bare infinitive and a lexical verb is followed by to infinitive: * We can go. We want to go. They like to sing. Gerund (Verbal Noun): Verbal nouns or gerunds have the same form as present participles, but behave as nouns
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