Do you know what a finite verb is? This finite verb will provide you with all of the information you need on finite verbs, including its definition, usage, example sentences, and more!
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According to Your Dictionary, a finite verb has a subject and shows tense. Non-finite verbs include gerunds or a gerund phrase, infinitives, and participles. Gerunds end in ing and are are nouns formed from verbs. Infinitives start with to and are the base form of a verb. Participles can be either present participles that end in ing form or past participles that end in ed form, d, t, en, or n. Every sentence has at least one finite verb, and a finite verb is always one word. A modal auxiliary verb is a finite verb such as am, can, could, may, might, must, ought to, shall, should, will, would, is, are, was, were, has, have, had, does, do, or did. Finite verbs can be in the present tense form, past tense form, or future tense form. Non-finite verbs can be used in the past participle form or perfect forms along with a finite verb. You may find that regular verbs and irregular verbs are conjugated differently.
Finite verbs and non-finite verb forms also exist in the grammatical categories of the romance languages, which are largely European languages. You might see these in the Latin ecce, Portuguese eis, French voici and voilà, and Italian ecco. Sentence fragments may not have a finite verb. Even minor sentences have finite verb phrases. A standard verb in simple present is often finite. Such auxiliary verbs are also finite independent of the verb’s tense. Groups of words that make up verb phrases can also be finite. Verbals like gerunds are not finite.
Finite verbs can be used in many different contexts in the English language. Trying to use a word or grammatical technique in a sentence is one of the best ways to memorize what it is, but you can also try making flashcards or quizzes that test your knowledge. Try using this term of the day in a sentence today! Below are a couple of examples of finite verbs from Your Dictionary, Grammar Monster and Thought Co that can help get you started incorporating this tool into your everyday use. Take a look at these finite verb examples in the following sentences and see how many you can identify the finite verb in!
She was varnishing the painted fence.
“We want the finest wines available to humanity. And we want them here, and we want them now!” — Withnail in “Withnail and I,” 1986
My family celebrates birthdays together.
Bianca cooked dinner last Thursday.
Pearl wrote a story in New York.
The astronaut walks on the moon.
I won a prize for my deer painting.
The spirits were rising from their graves to feast upon the living souls.
My professor might give us an extension on our project.
Charlie has been wanting a puppy.
“You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve? You just put your lips together and…blow.” — Marie “Slim” Browning in “To Have and Have Not,” 1944
You promised to save me a baked potato.
Pearl had written a story.
I was raking the leaves when I saw a caterpillar on the ground.
John loves dancing.
You should clean your room.
My family has always celebrated birthdays together.
John fixed the broken fence.
We had a chemistry lesson yesterday.
“Get busy living, or get busy dying.” — Andy Dufresne in “The Shawshank Redemption,” 1994
My sister went to college to become a doctor.
Our study group worked really late last night.
You will pay for that.
Alfie should have said no.
My family likes to celebrate birthdays together.
“I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.” — Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs,” 1991
Rachel is happy.
Shawna is a teacher.
Can you tell me the time?
I will pack Javier’s lunch later this afternoon.
Charlie wants a puppy.
Charlie is wanting a puppy.
The class was reprimanded for behaving badly at the assembly.
I can think whatever I like.
John hates to sing.
We have been working on the school musical for months.
John cooks carrots.
John was fixing it.
Everyone wanted to go to the amusement park, but we only had four tickets.
“A boy’s best friend is his mother.” — Norman Bates in “Psycho,” 1960
Johnny likes cleaning and was trying to tidy the fallen leaves.
He painted the fence.
Pearl was writing a story.
I am thinking about visiting the amusement park.
“We rob banks.” — Clyde Barrow in “Bonnie and Clyde,” 1967
Orlando swims three times a week.
What are other grammatical terms?
There are many different literary and grammatical techniques and devices that you might see when you are reading prose or poetry. It is important to recognize these terms because they are always used for some purpose. Knowing these devices can help readers understand the author’s deeper meaning and why they are using such a device. Take a look at the below list of grammatical devices from OED and see how many you know! Then try researching ones that are unfamiliar to you.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.
Kevin
December 18, 2021
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