What Is a Finite Verb? Meaning, Identification & Easy Examples
| Sentence | Finite Verb | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| She runs fast. | runs | Shows present tense and agrees with "She." |
| They were playing. | were | Shows past tense and matches "They." |
| I can swim. | can | Modal auxiliary, matches "I" and tense. |
| He likes to read. | likes | Shows present tense and subject "He." |
What Are Finite Verbs?
A finite verb is a verb that shows tense and has a subject. Finite verbs show action or state limited by number, person, and tense. Every complete sentence must have at least one finite verb.
Easy Examples of Finite Verbs
These sentences show finite verbs with their tense and subject.
- He plays cricket. ("plays" is present and matches "he")
- I am reading. ("am" shows present, "I" is the subject)
- She danced well. ("danced" is past, "she" is the subject)
- We have finished. ("have" matches "we" and shows present perfect)
Finite Verbs versus Non-Finite Verbs
Finite verbs show tense and agree with the subject. Non-finite verbs do not show tense or change for the subject. Non-finite verbs include gerunds, infinitives, and participles.
| Verb Type | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Finite | John eats lunch. | "eats" - changes with subject and tense |
| Gerund (Non-finite) | Eating is fun. | "eating" - acts as a noun (no tense) |
| Infinitive (Non-finite) | I like to eat. | "to eat" - can't show tense |
| Participle (Non-finite) | Cooked rice is tasty. | "cooked" - used as an adjective |
How to Find the Finite Verb
To find the finite verb, look for the verb that changes with tense (past, present, future) and agrees with the subject. It is the verb that can be the main verb of a sentence or clause.
- Ask: What is the action or state?
- Check: Does it match the subject?
- See if the verb changes for tense or subject.
- Only one word in a verb phrase is finite (others are non-finite).
More Examples of Finite Verbs in Sentences
Here are more sentences showing finite verb use in different tenses and with different subjects:
- She is singing. ("is" is finite; "singing" is non-finite participle)
- We will travel tomorrow. ("will" is finite)
- You have eaten all the cake. ("have" is finite; "eaten" is non-finite participle)
- The birds fly in spring. ("fly" is finite)
- Rohan enjoys swimming. ("enjoys" is finite; "swimming" is non-finite, gerund)
Modal Auxiliary Verbs as Finite Verbs
Modal verbs like "can," "should," "may," and "must" are considered finite. They agree with the subject and indicate tense or mood. For example: "She can dance." Here, "can" is the finite verb, showing ability and matching "she."
- I must go now.
- You should listen carefully.
- They will meet us soon.
Real-World Importance of Finite Verbs
Knowing how finite verbs work helps you write correct sentences in English. You need finite verbs for every statement, question, or command. In school exams and spoken English, identifying and using finite verbs leads to better marks and clearer communication.
Finite Verbs in Exam and Daily Use
In school, questions often ask you to spot the finite verb or change tense (e.g., "She sings" to "She sang"). Understanding finite verbs also helps in writing essays, speaking fluently, and answering grammar questions in competitive exams. At Vedantu, we focus on practical examples, simple explanations, and clear tables to help every learner.
Practice Exercise: Identify the Finite Verb
Try these exercises. Underline the finite verb in each sentence.
- Rina was talking to her friend.
- The boys play football daily.
- He wants to become a doctor.
- I will go to school tomorrow.
- Shyam is drawing a picture.
(Answers: was, play, wants, will, is)
Related English Grammar Topics
- Verbs: The Action Words for Kids
- Linking, Intransitive & Transitive Verbs
- Modal Verbs
- Present Continuous Tense
- Past Perfect Tense
- Auxiliary Verbs and Modal Verbs
- Tenses
- Gerund, Infinitive, and Participle
- Sentence Structure
- Action Verbs
- Subject-Verb Concord
In summary, finite verbs are main verbs that connect the action to the subject and show tense. They are critical for building clear, grammatically correct sentences. With practice, you can easily spot finite verbs and use them correctly for exams and daily English. For more grammar help, visit Vedantu’s English pages for detailed guides and examples.
FAQs on Finite Verbs in English Grammar: Definition and Examples
1. What is a finite verb with example?
A finite verb is a verb that shows tense and agrees with its subject. For example, in the sentence "She sings," "sings" is the finite verb because it indicates present tense and agrees with the subject "She."
2. What is the difference between finite and non-finite verbs?
The key difference lies in tense and subject agreement. Finite verbs show tense (past, present, future) and agree with the subject of the sentence. Non-finite verbs (gerunds, infinitives, participles) do not show tense or agree with a subject. For example, "singing" (gerund), "to sing" (infinitive), and "sung" (participle) are non-finite.
3. What are 10 examples of the infinite verb?
Non-finite verbs do not show tense. Here are 10 examples, categorized by type:
- Gerunds: running, swimming, eating, sleeping, reading
- Infinitives: to run, to swim, to eat, to sleep, to read
- Participles: running (present), run (past), eaten (past participle)
4. What are 20 examples of verbs?
Here are 20 examples, showing both finite and non-finite forms:
- Finite: walks, runs, jumps, sings, dances, eats, sleeps, writes, reads, thinks, talked, ran, jumped, sang, danced, ate, slept, wrote, read, thought
- Non-finite: walking, running, jumping, singing, dancing, eating, sleeping, writing, reading, thinking
5. What are some examples of finite verbs?
Finite verbs show tense and agree with their subject. Examples include:
- He walks quickly.
- She is singing a song.
- They will travel tomorrow.
- We ate pizza last night.
6. What is a finite verb in English?
In English grammar, a finite verb is a verb that shows tense (past, present, or future) and agrees with the subject of the sentence. It is a key component in forming a complete sentence. For instance, in "The dog barks," 'barks' is a finite verb.
7. How to find the finite verb in a sentence?
To identify the finite verb, look for the verb that shows tense and agrees with the subject. Consider these steps:
- Identify the sentence's subject.
- Find the verb that changes to show tense (past, present, future).
- Check if the verb matches the subject in number (singular or plural).
8. What is the finite verb in this sentence?
The answer depends on the sentence! To determine the finite verb, follow these steps:
- Identify the subject of the sentence.
- Locate the verb that expresses tense and agrees with the subject in number (singular/plural).
9. Are modal verbs finite verbs?
Yes, modal verbs (can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must) act as finite verbs. Although they often accompany another verb, they still convey tense and agree with the subject. For example, in "She can sing," "can sing" functions as a finite verb phrase.
10. What are finite verbs and non-finite verbs?
Finite verbs show tense and agree with their subject, while non-finite verbs don't. Non-finite verbs include infinitives (to + verb), gerunds (verb + -ing), and participles (past and present participles). Understanding this difference is crucial for mastering English grammar.
11. Finite verbs examples
Here are more examples of finite verbs in sentences, showing different tenses:
- She is reading a book (present continuous)
- He played football yesterday (simple past)
- They will go to the park tomorrow (future simple)
- We had eaten before they arrived (past perfect)
