Finite and Nonfinite Clause

Finite and Nonfinite Clause

Recognize two clause categories

In Context

To speak in class is difficult for some children but not for Charlie . He raises his hand constantly and loves to participate in class discussions. In fact, speaking in class is what he does best. He does his homework and is very well prepared. Prepared students excel in class. Also, students encouraged by their teachers do well. Charlie is doing well in kindergarten.

In context

Sometimes Charlie talks a little too much. He dislikes sitting quietly. The teacher reminds him to share the discussion time. Other students are quiet and may think that they don't have anything important to say. However, the teacher values the opinions of all the students; she helps quiet students (to) speak out more confidently.

The general term 'finite' is related to its everyday sense of 'limited'.

•  a finite verb is characteristically limited with respect to person and number [marked for person and tense]. (Huddleston and Pullum 88-89)

  complement — a word, phrase or clause that is expected or required to complete the meaning of some other element in the clause.

• That is, the clause or phrase would not sound complete without the word, phrase or clause.

A nonfinite clause rarely includes a subject.

• a coordinator (e.g., and, but, or, nor) joins like elements. The two finite clauses are "coordinates" of and.  And carries little meaning. It serves as a marker of coordination (addition). It is not part of either clause.

• the subordinator that marks content (the clause that follows) as placed within the main (matrix) clause. That has no meaning; it merely serves as a marker for the subordinate clause and it is not part of the clause.

FINITE CLAUSE

• A finite clause has a primary verb that can be marked for tense, person, and in some cases, number (raise, raises, raised; is, was, were).       

• Charlie raised his hand.

• The teacher likes that [he raises his hand]. (that subordinates the finite clause within the main clause)

A nonfinite infinitival

•  clause has a plain form (base) verb that usually occurs with to, which is analyzed as a subordinator, not part of the nonfinite clause. Similarly, for is analyzed as a subordinator of the subject of the infinitive clause.

• Charlie wants to [raise his hand].  Verb + Infinitive

• Charlie stands up to [speak in class].  "In order" + Infinitive

• Charlie helped us [answer the question].  Bare Infinitives  (without to)

• It is hard for Charlie to [sit quietly].   Infinitive Cls w/Subj

A nonfinite clause rarely includes a subject.

•  a connective preposition  (e.g., because, if, though) adds additional information to the main (matrix) clause. The connective preposition is the head of the prepositional phrase (because of its primary position in the phrase and the fact that it carries meaning). The connective preposition may accept a noun phrase, prepositional phrase, gerund or finite clause as its complement. That is to say, the prepositional phrase structure can include a finite clause within it.

• a relative pronoun (e.g., that, which, who, why, when, where, how) adds modifying information to a noun.

Comparative Clauses:

rather than + Non-Finite Clause

We use rather than to emphasize an element when we compare preferences.

After rather than, there should be a non-finite clause. What that means is that the verb is either a gerund (-ing verb) or a bare infinitive (the base form of a verb without to).

Examples

• I prefer swimming rather than jogging.

• It’s cheaper to use public transportation rather than rent a car.

Mixing an -ing form with an infinitive is not acceptable: 

• It’s cheaper to make your own lunch rather than buying it. ✘

• It’s cheaper to make your own lunch rather than buy it. ✔

Multiple Choice

explaining in a boring way. / showing images / rather than / The teacher preferred

• the teacher preferred showing images rather than explaining in a boring way

• The teacher preferred showing images rather than explain in a boring way.

• The teacher preferred showing images rather than explaining in a boring way.