Practice
Finite verbs: rules and examples
In "Mina works on Saturdays," works tells us about the present and matches Mina. That word is finite. In "Mina wants to work on Saturdays," wants is finite, while to work does not show tense by itself.
Identify the finite verb in a clause and distinguish it from an infinitive, a participle, or another non-finite form.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
She hopes to visit next month. /ʃi hoʊps tə ˈvɪzɪt nekst mʌnθ/
The short answer
A finite verb shows tense or agrees with the subject. In She writes clearly, writes is finite. In She wants to write clearly, wants is finite and to write is an infinitive.
The bus leaves at seven.
Why it works: Leaves is finite because it is present tense and matches the singular subject bus.
5 more examples
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Jordan cooks dinner on Fridays.
Cooks is finite because it is present tense and has s for the singular subject Jordan.
Not this:Jordan
likesto cook dinner on Fridays. What changes: Likes is finite. To cook is an infinitive and does not show the tense by itself. -
The students finished their posters yesterday.
Finished is finite because it places the action in the past.
Not this:The students
havefinished their posters. What changes: Have is finite in this present-perfect group. Finished is a past participle. -
Our neighbors are planting herbs.
Are is finite because it agrees with the plural subject neighbors and shows present time.
Not this:Our neighbors
enjoyplanting herbs. What changes: Enjoy is finite. Planting is an ing form that acts as the object of enjoy. -
The manager called after lunch.
Called is finite because it gives the clause past time.
Not this:The manager
maycall after lunch. What changes: May is the finite modal in the group. Call stays in the base form after may. -
My cousin hopes to visit next month.
Hopes is finite because it agrees with the singular subject cousin.
Not this:To visit next month
wouldbe fun. What changes: Would is finite in the main clause. To visit begins the subject phrase and is non-finite.
Read the full guide
Find the clause first, then ask which verb shows when the action happens or who does it. A verb ending in ing or an infinitive with to may be part of the meaning, but another verb often carries the tense. In They are preparing dinner, are is the finite verb and preparing is a participle.
Find the verb that carries the clause
A finite verb helps make a complete clause. It usually tells you when something happens, or it changes to match the subject. In a short sentence, it may be easy to see because there is only one verb.
The package arrived this morning.
Arrived is finite. It shows past time, so the clause can stand as a complete statement.
Which word shows past time: the or arrived?
Arrived shows past time, so it is the finite verb.
Check present-tense agreement
In the present simple, many verbs add s after he, she, it, or one singular noun. This change is one useful sign that the verb is finite. Do not add s after I, you, we, or they.
My brother drives to work.
Drives has s because brother is singular. The form shows agreement with the subject.
Complete the sentence: My friends ___ to work.
Use drive. Friends is plural, so the present-simple verb has no s.
Separate finite verbs from infinitives
An infinitive often begins with to. It can explain a plan, purpose, or choice, but it does not carry tense by itself. Look back to the verb before it. That earlier verb is often finite.
Lena plans to study tonight.
Plans is finite and matches Lena. To study is an infinitive, so it does not become to studies.
In We decided to stay, which verb is finite?
Decided is finite because it shows past time. To stay is an infinitive.
Read verb groups from left to right
A verb group can include an auxiliary plus an ing form or a past participle. The finite verb is the form that changes for tense or agreement. The other form completes the meaning of the group.
The workers were repairing the road.
Were is finite because it agrees with workers and shows past time. Repairing is the ing form.
Which form changes in the past: are repairing or were repairing?
Use were repairing for past time. Were is the finite part of the verb group.
Notice modals and more than one clause
Modal verbs such as can, should, and might are followed by a base verb. The modal carries the clause, while the next verb does not change. A longer sentence may contain two clauses, and each clause can have its own finite verb.
You should bring a coat because the evening gets cool.
Should is finite in the first clause, and gets is finite in the clause after because. Bring stays in the base form after should.
How many finite verbs are in I called when the store opened?
There are two: called in the first clause and opened in the clause after when.
Before you go
Remember this
Look for the verb that gives the clause tense or agrees with its subject. That is the finite verb. In groups with to, ing, or a past participle, the finite verb is often the word before the non-finite form.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Finite verbs: rules and examples"
What is a finite verb?
A finite verb gives a clause grammar information such as present or past time, or agreement with its subject. In Jordan cooks dinner on Fridays, cooks is finite because the present form has s after the singular subject Jordan.
Jordan cooks dinner on Fridays.
How can I find the finite verb in a long verb group?
Read the verb group from left to right and find the word that changes for tense or agreement. In The students have finished their posters, have is finite because it is the present form for a plural subject. Finished completes the present-perfect group.
Jordan likes to cook dinner on Fridays.
Is an infinitive a finite verb?
Usually no. An infinitive such as to cook does not show tense or agreement by itself. In Jordan likes to cook dinner on Fridays, likes is finite because it matches Jordan and is present tense. To cook adds the action that Jordan likes.
The students finished their posters yesterday.
Is an ing form a finite verb?
An ing form is usually non-finite when it appears in a verb group. In Our neighbors are planting herbs, are is finite because it matches the plural subject and shows present time. Planting supplies the action in progress.
The students have finished their posters.
Can a sentence have more than one finite verb?
Yes, when it has more than one clause. In You should bring a coat because the evening gets cool, should is finite in the first clause and gets is finite in the clause after because. Bring remains a base form after should.
Our neighbors are planting herbs.