Finite and Infinitive Verbs GRADE 8 FINITE VERBS = • A finite verb is at the heart of every sentence, and that finite verb will need to align with the subject and show the right tense. • A finite verb is a verb that has a subject and shows tense. • E.g. Jaco sanitizes his hands. • In this sentence, “Jaco” is the subject, “sanitizes” is the finite verb and the tense is the Present Indefinite Tense. • Every sentence needs a verb. The main verb in every sentence will be a finite verb. • The best way to find a finite verb is to identify its subject and determine its tense. If you can do that, you're looking at a finite verb… This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA INFINITIVES • Infinitives: Most infinitives usually have "to" before. An infinitive is the basic form of a verb. • E.g. Shaun continues to talk. • If we look at the above example, to talk is the infinitive and continues is the finite verb (continues indicates tense and has a subject; to talk has a to…) • Remember: The infinitive form of a verb is the verb in its basic form. It is the version of the verb which will appear in the dictionary. INFINITIVES CONTINUED… • Please Note: The infinitive form is not always preceded by to. • An infinitive is a non-finite verb. In other words, it cannot be the main verb in a sentence. • Most infinitives are preceded by to, but after certain verbs, the to is dropped. The most obvious example is when an infinitive follows: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, or would. • E.g. We must wear masks everyday. • The boy can jog at six o’clock..