Multi-Clause SentencesIn contrast, the non-finite clauses like those in (51b) do not allow for agree-
ment or modals:
(53) a. We want the ghost to appears at midnight.
b. We want the ghost will appear at midnight.
c. Oscar’s must reading of the play...
d. The book must lying on the table...
e. *The bones must gnawed by the dogs...
By the term finite, then, we mean that a clause is marked with a present
or past tense inflection or includes a modal auxiliary. An easy way to spot a
finite clause is to look at its first verb; if it is in the present or past tense or if
it is a modal, then the clause is finite. Otherwise it is non-finite. Addition-
ally, if a subordinate clause is, or can be, introduced by that, then it is finite.
Exercise
For each of the highlighted clauses below, determine whether it is fi-
nite or non-finite.
a. Glen claims that he is the world’s greatest limerick poet.
b. Malcolm intends to return to school in the fall.
c. For us to win, we must first qualify for the tournament.
d. To err is human; to forgive is divine.
e. That the Earth is warming is truly cause for alarm.
Non-finite clauses
Non-finite clauses are always subordinate. They fall into three categories—
gerunds, infinitives, and participles.
Gerunds
Gerunds are almost complete clauses whose first verb is a Ving form and
which always function as NPs, therefore as subjects, objects, or objects of
prepositions:
(54) a. Giving grammar lectures is always a challenge. [Subject]
b. Bill’s leaving town confirmed his guilt. [Subject]
c. We encourage discussing language. [Direct object]
d. We give discussing language our highest priority. [Indirect ob-
ject]