Hello guys welcome to my second post. I appreciate all your coments and I hope this post likes it too.
Today we will briefly talk about the difference between the finite and the non-finite clauses.
First we will describe what they are about.
Finite clauses
Finite clauses are the ones that must contain a verb which shows tense. They can be main clauses or subordinate clauses:
- Are you sleeping now? (main: present continuous)
- I went out with my boyfriend last night. (main: past)
- We didn’t get any food because we didn’t have enough time. (main: past; subordinate: past)
Non-finite clauses
Non-finite clauses are the ones that contain a verb which DOES NOT shows tense.
We usually use non-finite verbs only in subordinate clauses.
We often use a non-finite clause when the subject of the sentence and the main clause is the same. Ex:
- I took a shower before coming here. (I took a shower before I came here.)
- After eating a lot, we went to walk for an hour.
- Assaulted by a thief, the lady was crying in the bus station.
- The person to ask about buying the car is my cousin.
Non-finite After, although, though, and if
We often use non-finite clauses after some subordinating conjunctions like after, although, though and if:
By the end of the day, although having money, Mario prefered not eating rather than buying food. (although he had money)
After verbs + -ing or infinitive with to
We use non-finite clauses as the complements to verbs which take -ing or to-infinitive after them:
- I enjoy swimming in the pool.
- She would hate to play tennis against her best friend.
So after this explanation, What is the main difference between both?
Finite clauses ALWAYS HAVE A VERB THAT EXPRESS A TENSE (present, past, future) and the non finite clauses can have verbs but THEY DO NOT EXPRESS ANY TENSE (gerunds, infinitives, bare infinitives, verbless).
This information helped me to understand better the finite and the non finite clauses and to see what is the difference between both. I hope my blog can help you to understand it.
As a final help, I will give you the link for a video that explains better the finite and the nonfinite clauses.
Hello Marisa <3
ResponderBorrarExcellent information, you clarified all of my doubts about that themes and know I hope recognize very clear each one!
I don't have any question!
Thank you so much :D
Hi Marisa, I like your information, in my case helped me to claryfy what´s the difference between finite clause and non-finite clause, I learned that finite clause shows the tense and non-finite contain a verb which does not show tense, sometimes seem very easy but now I think is neccesary every time reinforce our knowlegde.
ResponderBorrarthanks for all Marisa.
Hi Marisa, good topic on how to differentiate a Finite Clauses and a Non-Finite Clauses. It is clear that a Finite Clauses are those that contain a verb which shows tense, whereas a Non-Finite Clauses are ones that contain a verb which does not show tense.
ResponderBorrarTnks for your help...
Hello there, nice job Marisa you helped me to finally understand the difference between this two clauses, you explained it in such an easy way and the video was another excellent resource.
ResponderBorrarThanks