Basic English Syntax with Exercises

non-finite verb form

6.1 The structure of IP

However, the traditional assumption is challenged by the analysis in (4), where it is claimed that clauses most definitely do have heads. There is much evidence to support this. Firstly consider the relationship between the inflection and the clause. The inflections come in two basic types: finite and non-finite. The finite inflections consist of the modal auxiliaries and tense morphemes. The infinitival marker to is non-finite, but we also get clauses, traditionally called participles, in which the inflection on the highest verbal element is either ing or en (or one of its irregular versions):

8.4 Conclusion

In this chapter we have dealt with a number of phenomena concerning non-finite clauses in English. On the whole, the interesting aspect of these constructions concerns their subjects. We have seen various possibilities for empty subjects in non-finite clauses, as with raising and control structures, and also exceptional accusative subjects in other constructions as with exceptional and small clauses. The gerund offers problems for analysis all of its own. By and large, we have offered analyses for all these structures, but have left many issues undiscussed and have ignored many alternative analyses. We might hope that this book has interested the reader sufficiently for them to follow up what has been left out here in further reading and research.