Functions and Significance of the Non-Finite Forms

As for the morphological form there is a subdivision. They are said to be Simple Non-Finite forms and Analytical Non-Finite Forms.

Two morphological forms of the Non-Finite Forms of the Verb:

*Simple:

to speak (simple or present infinitive active),

speaking (-ing form, whether simple gerund or present participle),

spoken (past participle);

*Analytical:

to be spoken (simple or present infinitive passive),

to be speaking (continuous infinitive),

to have spoken (perfect infinitive active),

to have been spoken (perfect infinitive passive),

to have been speaking (perfect continuous infinitive),

being spoken (-ing form, whether perfect simple gerund or perfect participle passive),

having spoken (-ing form, whether perfect gerund active or perfect participle active).

 

Non-Finite Forms can

express different meanings and shades of meanings of the Verb:

 

*Preceding (forgoing) non-finite activity: Past Participle, Present Participle Passive

For example:

Arrived in the town, he bought his usual weekly local paper (Past Participle).

Being completed, the book was issued (Present Participle Passive).

 

*Simultaneity: Present Participle (Active, Passive), Simple Gerund (Active, Passive), Simple or Present Infinitive (Active, Passive)

For example:

Reading a book, she was chewing a cheeseburger (Present Participle Active).

Being introduced to the people at the party, she felt no confuse (Present Participle Passive).

Reading means thinking (Simple Gerund Active).

Being heard and understood means successful communication (Simple Gerund Passive).

To understand the message of a book means to be able to get not only the context but also its implication (Present Infinitive Active).

To be listened does not mean to be heard (Present Infinitive Passive).

 

*Duration: Perfect Continuous Infinitive

For example:

Having been working under the project for a half of the year, he still could not complete it (Perfect Continuous Infinitive).

 

*Completeness: Perfect Gerund (Active, Passive), Perfect Participle (Active, Passive)

For example:

Having done any work completely makes me satisfied (Perfect Gerund Active).

Having been already asked makes me released (Perfect Gerund Passive).

Having prepared the work, he could enjoy himself (Perfect Participle Active).

Having been asked, he had to give an honest answer (Perfect Participle Passive).

*Activity Look at the preceding examples of Verbals

*Passivity differentially in Active and Passive forms

For example:

Having done any work completely makes me satisfied (Active form).

Having been already asked makes me released (Passive form).