Non-Finite

Clause
Reported by: Alexander Endrina
Rose Anne Duran
Turn your can't into a can, and your dream into
plan! –

NON-FINITE CLAUSE
The English prefix non-,means “not,”

A non-finite clause is similar, except that the verb

must be in a non-finite form (such as an infinitive,
participle, gerund or gerundive), and it is consequently
much more likely that there will be no subject
expressed, i.e. that the clause will consist of a (non-
finite) verb phrase on its own.
a non-finite clause is a dependent or
embedded clause that represents a
state or event in the same way no
matter whether it takes place before,
during, or after text production.
The difference between finite and non-finite
clause is: Finite clause has a conjugated
verb. Conjugated means -- the sentence is
formed by the union of two compounds; a
system of two double bonds. Example, “I paid
my tuition fees,” “ I pay my tuition fees.” “ She
pays her tuition fees.”
These three examples are sentences because
they stand on their own. But if you put it on a
larger sentences, for example, “I forgot (that) I
paid my tuition fees.” So, we have the subject,
“I,” a predicator, “forgot” and “I paid my tuition
fees,” is the direct object. So we have noun
phrase, a verb phrase and a Finite Clause.
Whilst, Non-Final Clause, for example, in the
statement: “I forgot to pay my tuition fee,” the
phrase, “to pay my tuition fee” is the non-finite
clause. Still, we have the same structure: a
noun phrase, a verb phrase and a direct
object. But now we have the Non-Finite
Clause toward the end of the sentence.
Non-Finite
Clause part 2
Reported by: Alexander Endrina
Rose Anne Duran
 Do they have present tense or past tense?

Finite Clauses Non-Finite Clauses

I know that she feels sick.

She doesn’t want to feel sick.

While I was watching a TV, I

Watching TV, I dozed off.
dozed off.

tensed tenseless
 Non-Finite Clause

❏ It contains a verb that does not show tense, which means it

does not show the time at which something happened.
❏ A non-finite clause cannot function as a main clause and
cannot stand on its own.
❏ It may serve as a subject, or a complement to a verb, a
preposition or a noun (modifier).
 Functions

Subject Object Modifier

To speak in class is He dislikes sitting quietly. Prepared students excel

difficult for some children. in class.

Charlie smiled after

answering the question.
Types of Non-finite Clauses

Type Example Verb Form

Present Participle writing a novel ing participle

Past Participle written novel past participle

To infinitive to write a novel plain form

Bare Infinitive write a novel plain form

 Present Participle

In this clause, the verb ending in – ing is used.

Present Participle: verb / + ing

Examples:

We met a girl carrying a basket of flowers.

I heard my dad going up the stairs.

 Past Participle

In this clause, the past participle form of the verb is used.

Past participle uses third form of the verb and usually ends in -ed,
-e, -t, -en or -n.

Examples:
He gave a written complaint.

The candidate selected for this post is my brother.

 To Infinitive

In this clause, the verb comes after the word to.

Examples:

It only took us about twenty minutes to get here.

He gave up his job to travel the world.

Bare Infinitive
Not preceded by “to”
Follow modal verbs ( can, could, may, might, must, shall,
should, will and would)
Also follows other verbs ( feel, hear, help, let, make, see and
watch)
Examples:
You must take a break.

I watched them bake the bread.

Activity

Sometimes Charlie talks a little too much. He dislikes

sitting quietly. The teacher reminds him to share the
discussion time. Other students are quiet and may think
that they don't have anything important to say. However,
the teacher values the opinions of all the students; she
helps quiet students (to) speak out more confidently.
Activity

Sometimes Charlie talks a little too much. He dislikes

sitting quietly. The teacher reminds him to share the
discussion time. Other students are quiet and may think
that they don't have anything important to say. However,
the teacher values the opinions of all the students; she
helps quiet students (to) speak out more confidently.
Resources

● http://www.englicious.org/lesson/clauses/clauses-finite-an
d-nonfinite-clauses
● https://www.slideshare.net/NadraNasuha/non-finite-
clause-sic?fbclid=IwAR3Px92y89qmIPO6lnCtUFFE4-
A_cy9sAQ0ViDThTQroJnQdrndY0C_cIxU
Exercise
1. Students encouraged by their teachers do well.

Modifier ( noun complement )

2. Charlie is interested in hearing the answers.

Object (Prepositional Complement)

3. They were playing happily.

Object (Verb Complement)