A finite verb changes its form where there is a change in the number or person of the subject.

Study the examples given below.

• Shyam works hard. (Here the verb work becomes works because the subject is the singular noun Shyam.)
• I work hard.
• They work hard. (The verb does not take -s when the subject is a plural noun or pronoun.)
• He works hard. (Here the subject is the singular pronoun he and hence the verb takes the marker -s)
• Doctors work hard.
• I worked hard last week. (In the past tense, the verb work becomes worked)

Such verbs which change their form when there is a change in the tense or in the number or person of the subject are called finite verbs.

Non-finites do not change their form.

• She wants to find work.
• I want to find work.
• The unemployed want to find work.

As you can see, in all of the sentences given above, the infinitive to find does not undergo any change. Hence, it is a non-finite verb.

There are four types of non-finite verbs: infinitives, gerunds, present participles and past participles.

Examples are given below.

• She wants to sing. (finite verb – wants; non-finite – to sing)
• She went to the store to buy some eggs. (finite verb – went; non-finite – to buy)
• Holding a paper in her hand, she ran out of the room. (finite verb – ran; non-finite – holding)
• Playing computer games for long hours is not good for you. (finite verb – is; non-finite: playing)
• Driven by rain, we took shelter under a tree. (finite verb – took; non-finite – driven)
• I enjoy playing with my cats. (finite verb – enjoy; non-finite – playing)