For Students
American English Grammar
Finite verb
Learning objectives
In this lesson you will learn the definition of a finite verb and study examples of finite verbs.
Definition of a finite verb
  • A finite verb is:
  • also called a main verb
  • a verb that has a subject
  • a verb that shows tense, person, and number
  • can be the main verb in a sentence
  • Only verbs that are in certain moods are finite
  • indicative mood (expressing a state of affairs)
  • The coffee is hot.
  • imperative mood (giving a command)
  • Make the coffee hot.
  • subjunctive mood (expressing something that might or might not be the state of affairs, depending on some other part of the sentence)
  • If the coffee was hot, I would drink it.
  • The following are NOT finite verbs
  • infinitive verbs
  • past participle
  • present participle
  • gerund
Examples of finite verbs
  • I go to the store.
  • She goes to the store.
  • They went to the store.
  • You play football.
  • I read a book.
  • She walks home.
  • He drinks beer.
  • They watch the game.
  • I ride a bike.
  • She brushes her hair.
Take the test
Study the examples of finite verbs listed above. For each test question, you will be given two phrases. You need to decide which phrase contains a finite verb.
Fun Easy English Tests
Finite verb
 
  1.  Which of the following contains a finite verb?
A. go to the store
B. going to the store

  2.  Which of the following contains a finite verb?
A. goes to the store
B. going to the store

  3.  Which of the following contains a finite verb?
A. to go to the store
B. went to the store

  4.  Which of the following contains a finite verb?
A. playing football
B. play football

  5.  Which of the following contains a finite verb?
A. read a book
B. reading a book

  6.  Which of the following contains a finite verb?
A. walks home
B. walking home

  7.  Which of the following contains a finite verb?
A. drinks beer
B. drinking beer

  8.  Which of the following contains a finite verb?
A. watch the game
B. watching the game

  9.  Which of the following contains a finite verb?
A. riding a bike
B. ride a bike

  10.  Which of the following contains a finite verb?
A. brushed hair
B. brushes her hair

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