Introduction
Non-finite verbs don't show tense, number, or person — they don't function as the main verb of a clause.
There are three types: Infinitive (to + V1), Gerund (V-ing acting as a
noun), and Participle (V-ing or V3 acting as an adjective).
Infinitive (To + Base Verb)
| Use | Example |
|---|
| As subject | To err is human. |
| As object | She wants to learn painting. |
| Expressing purpose | He went to the market to buy vegetables. |
Gerund (V-ing as a Noun)
| Use | Example |
|---|
| As subject | Swimming is a good exercise. |
| As object | She enjoys reading novels. |
| After a preposition | He is good at singing. |
Gerund vs Infinitive — Verbs That Take Only One Form
💡 Key Rule: Certain verbs are always followed by a gerund, others always by an infinitive — this must be memorised as fixed verb-pattern pairs.
| Verbs followed ONLY by Gerund | Verbs followed ONLY by Infinitive |
|---|
| enjoy, avoid, finish, suggest, mind, deny, admit, consider | want, decide, hope, plan, agree, promise, refuse, manage |
Q. Choose the correct sentence: (A) She enjoys to dance. (B) She enjoys dancing.
"Enjoy" is always followed by a gerund, never an infinitive
Correct: (B) She enjoys dancing.
Q. Choose the correct sentence: (A) He decided going abroad. (B) He decided to go abroad.
"Decide" is always followed by an infinitive, never a gerund
Correct: (B) He decided to go abroad.
Participles — Present (V-ing) vs Past (V3)
| Type | Function | Example |
|---|
| Present Participle (V-ing) | Adjective showing an ongoing/active quality | The barking dog scared the child. |
| Past Participle (V3) | Adjective showing a completed/passive quality | The broken vase lay on the floor. |
⚠️ Common Trap — "Boring" vs "Bored": Use the "-ing" form for the thing/person causing the feeling; use the "-ed" form for the person experiencing the feeling.
Q. Choose the correct sentence: (A) I am boring with this movie. (B) I am bored with this movie.
"I" (the person) experiences the feeling → use the "-ed" form
Correct: (B) I am bored with this movie. (the movie itself would be described as "boring")
Dangling Participle — Common Error
⚠️ Common Trap: A participle phrase at the start of a sentence must logically modify the very next noun/subject — otherwise, it creates a confusing "dangling" participle.
Q. Choose the correct sentence: (A) Walking down the street, a tree fell on the car. (B) Walking down the street, I saw a tree fall on the car.
In (A), the tree cannot logically be "walking" — the participle dangles
Correct: (B) Walking down the street, I saw a tree fall on the car. ("I" is the one walking)
✅ Practice Focus: Infinitive vs gerund functions · Fixed verb-gerund and verb-infinitive pairs (memorise the lists) · Present participle (-ing, active) vs past participle (-ed/V3, passive) · Avoiding dangling participles.