<aside> 💡 When identifying a verb phrase, consider the finite verb that pairs with a subject within the same clause or sentence.
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A verb phrase is either a one-word verb (also called the lexical verb or main verb) or a group of words that includes not only the main verb but any Modal verbs or Auxiliary (helping) verbs. It's important to distinguish between finite and non-finite verbs.
Finite and non-finite verbs are two primary categories of verbs in English, and they differ in their functions and forms.
Finite verbs are verbs that have a specific tense, person, and number. They can stand alone as the main verb of a clause and provide the clause with tense and subject-verb agreement.
Features:
Examples:
Finite verbs couple with subjects to form clauses (i.e., Subordinating clauses, Relative clauses, and Nominal (noun) clauses). Finite verbs also state declarative ideas and are based on person (first, second, and third); gender (i.e., he/she); number (i.e., singular or plural); tense (i.e., past, present, and future), aspect (i.e., simple, perfect, progressive, and perfect progressive); and mood (i.e., indicative, imperative, subjunctive) (see Finite verb).
Non-finite verbs, on the other hand, don't show tense, person, or number. They can't act as the main verb of a clause by themselves, but they have other functions in a sentence. There are three primary types of non-finite verbs: infinitives, gerunds, and participles.