Microsoft Word Theoretical Course of English Grammar

Nino Kirvalidze
37
4. Both, finite and non-finite verbs have different grammatical forms for ASPECT
dis-
tinction. 
Aspect requires a choice between the non-perfect and the perfect forms, and between 
the non-progressive and progressive (i.e. non-continuous and continuous) forms. Compare: 
Finite verb forms: 
He writes poems.
(simple: non-perfect, non-progressive). 
He has written poems
. (perfect: auxiliary 
have
+ participle II; non-progressive) 
He is writing poems
. (progressive: auxiliary 
be
+ participle I; non-perfect) 
He has been writing poems
. (perfect, progressive) 
Non-finite verb forms (modal auxiliary 
must
+ bare infinitive): 
He must write poems
. (bare infinitive simple, non-perfect, non-progressive) 
He must have written poems
. (bare infinitive, perfect, non-progressive) 
He must be writing poems
. (bare infinitive, progressive, non-perfect) 
He must have been writing poems
. (bare infinitive, perfect, progressive)
5. Both, finite and non-finite verbs (except the gerund) have different grammatical forms
for VOICE DISTINCTION. Voice involves a contrast between active and passive. The active 
form of the verb shows that the action denoted by it is performed by the subject of the 
sentence, while the passive form indicates that the action is performed upon the subject. Cf. the 
following: 
Active voice Passive voice
He writes poems. Poems must be written by him. 
He has written poems. Poems must have been written by him. 
Having written the letter, he left the room. The letter having been written, he left the room 
6. Finite verbs have different forms to mark the grammatical category of MOOD (which 
requires a choice between the indicative, imperative and subjunctive mood) while non-finite 
verb forms are devoid of this grammatical category. 
Due to the above-mentioned grammatical categories of tense, person, number, aspect, 
voice and mood, finite verbs are capable to perform independently syntactic function of a 
simple predicate in a sentence. The number of these categories being restricted to aspect and 
voice, non-finite verb forms are devoid of this feature.

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Theoretical Course of English Grammar 
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