Differentiate between finite and infinite verbs?

Answer 1

A finite verb 'defines' the time (past or present) and the subject. It tells you who is doing the action and when it is being done. Examples:

1. She kicked the ball. "She" is the subject and "kicked" is the finite verb that tells you she did it in the past. "She" already has "kicked" the ball.

2. The leaves are yellow. "Leaves" is the subject and "are" is the finite verb that tells you something is happening to the leaves in the present. The "leaves" "are" yellow at this very moment.

A non-finite verb (aka infinite verb) has no subject and no tense. Examples:

1. She was going to kick the ball. "She" is the subject of this sentence. "Was" is the finite verb. So far, you know the subject is "she" and that the action happened in the past (was). "Going" is a non-finite gerund because it has no subject and no time/tense associated with it. "To kick" is a non-finite infinitive verb because it also has no subject and no time/tense associated with it. The subject and tense of this sentence is set by the verb "was".

For instance, you can also say "She is going to kick the ball". The subject is still "she", but now the finite verb "is" tells you the action is happening in the present, that "she" is doing something at this very moment. "Going to kick" doesn't tell you who is doing the action, nor when the action is taking place. It tells you what the action is, but doesn't tell you who did it nor when it was done (past or present).

2. The leaves are turning yellow. "Leaves" is the subject. "Are" is the finite verb which tells you the leaves are in the process of doing something at this very moment, in the present tense. "Turning" is the non-finite gerund. It has no subject and no tense. The time/tense of this sentence is determined by the word "are", which tells you that something is going on with the leaves at this very moment.

Answer 2

A Finite verb is a finished action. Eg. The boy kicked the ball.
An Infinte verb is unfinished eg Anne was doing her homework when the phone rang (rang is finite.) Hope this helps