Question

Why is the distinction between finite and nonfinite verbs is a very important one in grammar ?

Answer 1

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.