:mrgreen:Hello,
I feel like an idiot for asking this, but simply have no other option. 
I am a grade 6 learner who normal gets high 80-90% for English but I can't seem to grasp this one topic. This topic is Finite and Infinite verbs. I don't understand what the difference and need to know what they are used for. I will also be required to under line the finite ir infinite verb in a sentence in my finals. Eg: Jhon likes to hike. I cannot do this right now and require they help of a teacher or someone who could help me out. I need this by tommorow afternoon at the latest as the final is on Monday. I know what a verb is and so don't need that explained. Please help me out! :-D
-Paranormality xoxo
sorry I am a :n00b:!
***** NOT A TEACHER ***** ONLY MY OPINION
Paranormality,
You are very intelligent because you came here for help from the
excellent teachers. Two of them gave you links. If you study
those links, I am sure that you will get a good grade on your test.
For example, if you study what the second link teaches, you will
have 100% confidence in doing a sentence such as:
John likes to hike.
John = subject
likes = finite verb (
because the verb "like" changes its form -- adds an "s" to agree with the subject "John." As you know, "John like" is bad English. It needs an "s."
to hike = nonfinite verb
(because "to hike" never changes its form: John likes to hike; John and Mary like to hike
).
By the way, one of my books says that "infinite" is an old-fashioned
word for "nonfinite."
*****
Please identify the verb with CAPITAL letters as finite or nonfinite:
(1) A book WRITTEN by an angel. (from
Descriptive English Grammar, House and Harman)
(2) OPEN the door. (from Longman English Grammar)
(3) I had WALKED. (from
The Columbia Guide to Standard American English)
(4) It IS an ill wind that BLOWS nobody any good. (from
Grammar by James R. Hurford)
(5) Edgar, STRIKING Stanley, HURT his hand. (from
Understanding Grammar by Paul Roberts)
(6) Mac ORDERED me TO COME at ten o'clock. (from
A Grammar of
Present-Day English, Pence and Emery)
***** Answers
(1) nonfinite. "Written" is a past participle. It does not change its form.
One book/ one thousand books written.
(2)finite. This is an order. The subject is "You." The verb "open" has to agree with "You." That is: You open (NOT: opens).
(3)nonfinite. "Walked" is a past participle. It does not change. Had/has/have walked. (P.S. But HAD WALKED is finite, because I have to change the verb "have" to the past for good English if I want to refer to the past.)
(4)Both are finite. "Is" agrees with "It," and "blows" has an "s" to match "that."
(5)The first is nonfinite because "striking" is an -ing word that never changes. The second is finite because "hurt" has to agree with the subject. "Edgar" is "he" and it's past, so we must say "hurt," not "hurts."
(6)The first is finite. It's past, so "order" was changed to "orderED." The second one is nonfinite because the infinitive never changes: ME to come, THEM to come, THE SOLDIERS to come.
Good luck. Please let us all know all you did on your test.
***** NOT A TEACHER ***** ONLY MY OPINION
P.S. While I was typing, another person posted helpful information for you. Everyone here wants you to do well on the test!!!
