Finite vs Non Finite clauses

1. Finite vs Non-Finite clause

2. Finite Clauses
Independent or dependent
Contains subject
Contains finite verbs
(person/number/tense)

3. Example :
James owns a car.
(Independent finite clause)
I visited the mall that Sarah built
(two dependent finite clause)

4. Non – Finite Clause
 Dependent/Subordinate clause
 Have different forms :
1. Bare infinitive (walk)
2. To infinitive (to walk)
3. -ing participle (walking)
4. -ed participle (walked)
 Verbs doesn’t carry tense
 May/may not contain subject
 Cannot stand alone (dependent)

5. Example :
1. I asked him to do that
2. Having done that, I went home
3. I went to the house that jack
built

6. Tense / Agreement
Finite clause
1. She eats most of
the time.
2. They fed the dogs
milk
Non – finite clause
1. David loves (to
play the piano).
2. We made (David
play the piano).
3. Written in 1994,( it
soon became a
classic)

7. Subjectless Non-finite clause
1. Driving to work this morning, Carl
saw an accident.
2. Dissapointed with his quality, the
boss decided to fire him.
3. Harry applied to five different
schools in order to get one.