Non-Finite Forms of the Verb

1. The infinitive and its properties. The categories of the infinitive.
2. The gerund and its properties. The categories of gerund. The notion of half-gerund.
3. The present participle, the past participle, and their properties.

 

Verb forms make up two distinct classes: finites and non-finites, also called verbals, verbids. Finites serve to express a primary predication, i.e. they ‘tie’ the situation described by a proposition to the context. Non-finites serve to express a secondary predication.

The non-finite forms of the verb combine the characteristics of the verb with the characteristics of other parts of speech. Their mixed features are revealed in their semantics, morphemic structural marking, combinability, and syntactic functions.