Non-finite Verbs - Gerund | Uses and Examples of Gerund

Verb is an inevitable part of a sentence. There are many types of verb like- Action verb, be-verb, have-verb, modal auxiliary verb and so on.

 Now we'll be discussing finite verbs and Non-finite verbs. This topic is very useful to make a sentence with accuracy.

Finite and Non-finite verbs

Look at the sentences below –

1) I love to read.
2) We want to swim.
3) He loves singing.
4) She loves dancing.
5) She saw a moving car.
6) I see a running train.

In the sentences above, the verbs love, want, loves, loves, saw, see are finite verbs. And to read, to swim, singing, dancing, moving, running are non-finite verbs. — but why?
Let's see...

What is a finite verb?

When a verb is used according to its subject and tense then it is a finite verb.
In other words, if a verb changes its form according to its subject and tense then it is a finite verb.


In those sentences, the verbs love, want, loves, loves, saw, see change their forms with subject and tense; therefore, we can say, these verbs are used here as finite verbs.

What is a non-finite verb?

When a verb in a sentence does not change its form according to subject or tense, it is a non-finite verb.
In those sentences, the verbs to read, to swim, singing, dancing, moving, running do not change their forms.


Examples of non-finite verb:

I love to sing.	I love singing.	I see a moving car.
He loves to sing.	He loves singing.	He sees a moving car.
They loved to sing.	They loved singing.	They saw a moving car.

To sing in the first column, singing in the second column, moving in the third column are non-finite verbs.


Non-finite verbs are of three types –

• Infinitive [to + verb (base form)],
• Participle [verb + ing],
• Gerund [verb + ing].

Gerund

Gerund, like Participle, is also an -ing form of a verb. Gerund has qualities of a noun as well as a verb.

Now look at these sentences –
•       He likes dancing. [সে নাচ করা পছন্দ করে]
•       Reading is my hobby. [পড়া আমার সখ ।]
•       I don't like playing cards. [আমি তাস খেলা পছন্দ করি না ।]
In the sentences above dancing, reading, playing (verb+ing) are used as nouns.

Use of Gerund:

Rule 1: As a subject –

• Swimming is a good exercise.
• Serving people is a great work.
• Gardening is my hobby.
• Watching cartoon is the most delightful thing.

Rule 2: As an object –

• She loves singing folk songs.
• Everyone likes reading story books.
• I like playing flute.
• Rahat isn’t fond of riding bike.

Rule 3: Used after a possessive –

• People love Jackson’s dancing.
• My mother has a great influence on my brother’s being a painter.
• There was a restriction on his going out.
• His father doesn’t like his drinking alcohol.

Rule 4:  As complement of a verb –

• Seeing is believing.
• What ruined his life is gambling.
• Serving people is serving the almighty.
• My hobby is gardening.

Rule 5: As an apposition of a noun or a pronoun –

• Your intention, helping the poor, is appropriated.
• The act, befooling the parents, is foolish itself.

Rule 6: Used after definite article ‘the’ –

• The groaning of the lady fears frightened everyone.
• The portraying of the artist is admirable.
• The publishing of the book started from 1849.
• The playing of chess loses its popularity.

Rule 7:  Used after some prepositions –

Gerund can be used after some prepositions like — After, at, before, besides, by, for, from, in, to, without.

E.g.-
• He helped the man by giving him money.
• Without working hard, one can not become a successful person.
• She saved me from being an alcoholic.

Rule 8: Used after the verbs - allow, advise, forbid and permit –

• They do not allow spreading rumours.
• The teacher advised respecting the elders.
• Mother forbade eating fast-food.
• The government permits exporting the weapons.



■ If you see there is an object after these verbs, a ‘to-infinitive’ is used rather than gerund.

E.g.-
They did not allow the people to spread rumours.
The teacher advised the students to respect their elders.
Mother forbade me to eat fast-food.
The government permits the company to export the weapons.

Thank you...