LoginNon-finite Clauses
Non-finite clauses are based on to-infinitive and participles. They are actually subordinate clauses. Let us learn all about them.
What Are Non-finite Clauses?
Non-finite clauses are clauses that do not have a finite verb, meaning they are not limited by tense and do not contain a subject. They are subordinate clauses that do not express a complete thought and cannot function as a sentence on their own. Non-finite clauses are used to indicate conditions, concession, purposes, reasons, and manners.
Non-finite Clauses: Types
Non-finite clauses come in different types, but they share some common characteristics: they are all made up of verbs, lack a subject, and do not show tense. The different types of non-finite clauses include:
Using To-infinitive in Non-finite Clauses
Using to-infinitives in non-finite clauses is a common way to express purpose, intention, or obligation in English. To-infinitive clauses can function as the subject, object, complement, or modifier in a sentence, depending on their position and the structure of the sentence. Here are a few examples:
I bought a present for you
I have got work
Non-finite Verbs and Catenative Verbs
Using Bare Infinitive in Non-finite Clauses
A bare infinitive can be used in non-finite clauses to indicate that someone caused or helped to do something, or to show the manner in which something was done. Here are some examples:
They helped
I made him
Using Participles in Non-finite Clauses
Participles have two kinds: present participle and past participle. Participles are usually used to express conditions, concession, manner, or reason. They can be used to modify a noun or pronoun, often indicating a past or present action, or as adverbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or the reason why it is performed. Here are some examples:
They passed the hallway
adverbial present participle
adjectival past participle
Non-finite Clauses: Characteristics
Non-finite clauses are often subordinate clauses, also known as embedded or dependent clauses. Their tense can be inferred from the tense of the main clause. They can be used in relative clauses when the subject of the main clause and the subordinate clause are the same.
Why Are Non-finite Clauses Subordinate?
Subordinate clauses are clauses that are always dependent, which means they do not have a complete meaning when used alone. Non-finite clauses are subordinate clauses because they cannot stand alone as complete sentences and are dependent on the main clause for their meaning and grammatical function. Check out the examples:
I wanted
In this example, 'to clean the room' has no logical meaning when used alone.
They forced him
Finding the Subject of a Non-finite Clause
The subject of a non-finite clause is often the same as the subject of the main clause, making it easy to identify. However, if the subjects are different, the subject of the non-finite clause can be inferred from the context in which it is used. Take a look at some examples:
Since the subject of the main clause is the pronoun 'you,' the subject which is omitted from the subordinate clause is also 'you.'
Based on the concept of the context and the meaning of the verb 'help,' 'he and other people' cooperated to take the car out of the parking lot.
Tense
Non-finite clauses do not have an inherent tense or time reference when used alone, but their tense is determined by the tense of the main clause with which they are associated. Here are some examples:
They asked if it would be a problem
In this example, the whole sentence is in the past tense, even though the clause 'to drink' has no tense.
Here, the requirement for the job is to be good at English at the time. So the whole sentence is in present tense.
Non-finite Clauses with Relative Clauses
When the subject of a relative clause is the same as the subject of the main clause, the relative clause can be used as a non-finite clause. Here are the examples:
The girl
non-finite relative clause
The girl
finite relative clause
Non-finite Clauses: Uses
Non-finite clauses can serve five different functions in a sentence as indicated in the following list:
- subject
I want
I want you
The point is
None-finite Clauses as Coordinating Clauses
As already mentioned, non-finite clauses are typically subordinate clauses, but when a non-finite is used as the subject of the clause, it acts as a coordinating clause. For example:
Tip!
You can use non-finite clauses after catenative verbs. Here are some examples:
I enjoy
I love
I heard you
Subordinating Conjunctions and None-finite Clauses
Non-finite clauses can be used after some subordinating conjunctions, such as after, before, although, though, if, etc.. Here are a few examples:
If
After
Restrictive or Non-restrictive Clauses
Depending on the way non-finite clauses function in a sentence, they can be restrictive or non-restrictive. Here are a few examples:
The boy
She rang the bell
Tip!
When a non-finite clause is used as a non-restrictive relative clause, it is typically placed between two commas. Here is an example:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,
To Be + to Do Something
Non-finite clauses can also be used to give orders or to describe future actions. However, in this case, they are only used with to-infinitives. Here is the structure:
- subject + to be + to-infinitive
He is
I am
Non-finite Adjectives
Non-finite verbs can be used as adjectives before or after nouns to modify them. Here are the non-finite verbs that can be used as adjectives:
- past participles
- present participles
- to-infinitives
Here are the examples:
The
That was quite a book
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