3. Unit 8: Clauses III
Finite and Non-finite clauses
Finite clauses
They have tensed verbs.
Worked wrote ate
Verbs agree in number and person
with the subject.
They function as main clauses.
We finished our project
4. Non-finite clauses
Non-finite clauses
Verbs appear in bare, or to-
infinitive form.
work To work
They function as subordinate
clauses.
The subject is usually understood,
not overt
Peter wants you to leave town
5. Finiteness
It is the condition of a clause as tensed
or not tensed.
Finite: tensed verb and auxiliary
I want you to study more
I don’t like potatoes
Non-finite: untensed verb and no
auxiliary.
I want you to study more
6. Types of Non-finite clause
Preposition + -ing verb:
We look forward to seeing you
Infinitive clause as object:
He wanted to marry Dorothy
Infinitive clause in subject position:
To live in a small town in quiet
Free participle clause:
When visiting my town, I met my husband
Reduced adverbial clause:
While walking in the park, I saw a parrot
-ing clause in subject position
Teaching Grammar to young children is difficult
7. Infinitive clause with a subject
Peter wants you to leave town
Gerund clauses
They saw a man opening the front door
Verb + infinitive clause:
Louis can’t afford to pay a higher rent
