Lecture 10: Non-finite verbs

10.1 non-finite verb Basic Concepts

The Role of Non-Finite Verbs: a non-finite verb can expand a sentence or serve as the core of a non-finite construction;

10.1.1 What is non-finite verb?

Basic Concepts

non-finite verb：
1. Still a verb;
2. But it does not exist as a predicate;
Why are non-finite verbs needed?
A clause is organized around a finite verb phrase. Additional verb forms that are not coordinated finite verbs or heads of new finite clauses normally appear in non-finite constructions;
A non-finite form does not show tense or agreement on its own;

10.1.2 When to Use Non-Finite Verbs

When to use non-finite verb

Once a clause already has its finite verb phrase, an additional verb without its own finite-clause structure normally takes a non-finite form;

Three types of non-finite verb in total

doing
When a verb appears as doing on its own, it is non-finite; in a complete progressive verb phrase, however, it forms part of the finite predicate;
1. When used as a noun: gerund
2. When used as a verb: verb
done
When a verb appears as done on its own, it is non-finite; in a complete perfect or passive verb phrase, however, it forms part of the finite predicate;
to do
In this use, it is non-finite whether or not it appears by itself;

Two Types of Uses of non-finite verb

1. Core ingredients:
Equivalent to a noun, used as a subject, object, or subject complement (core component);
doing/to do: These two can be used as nouns;
2. Expanding ingredients:
Modifies nouns/sentences as attributives/adverbials (extended components);

10.2 Used as a Subject, Object, or Subject Complement

When a non-finite construction functions as a subject, object, or subject complement, it is a core component of the sentence;

10.2.1 Distinguishing These Functions

Method: A subject normally precedes the finite verb, an object follows a transitive verb or preposition, and a subject complement follows a linking verb;

Note: doing and to do constructions can function as subjects, objects, or subject complements; a bare past participle normally cannot function as a noun phrase in these positions;

10.2.2 Doing and To Do as subjects

non-finite verb doing/to do as subject

Change the verb 'do' to doing/to do, which can serve as the subject;
Example:
laughing probably has little influence on physical fitness.
non-finite verb as subject -> expresses something, using singular in this case;
If there are many things, you can use plural numbers;

non-finite verb can be combined with other components

Example:
Doing -> Doing something：Making friends is extremely important to teenagers.
Using 'doing' as the subject: On the other hand, putting your faith in the wrong place often carries a high price.
The whole thing is done (putting) as the subject;
Use To Do as the subject: to anticipate every imaginable driving situation is a difficult programming problem.

The Difference Between Doing and To Do

Doing and To Do as subjects, with little difference in meaning;
Main difference: different non-finite verb position;
non-finite verb can be placed in front;
A long infinitive subject can be extraposed to the end, with dummy subject it in initial position;
Example:
Put it in front: to anticipate every imaginable driving situation is a difficult programming problem.
Placed at the back: It is a difficult programming problem to anticipate every imaginable driving situation .
Place at the front: To do so is important.
Place at the back: It is important to do so.
Common Forms:
Doing: In the graduate entrance exam, add more sentences;
To Do: In graduate exams, it is often placed at the end of sentences and referred to more often as 'IT';
Example sentence template:
Template:It takes sb. Some time to do sth.
Demonstration:So it seems paradoxical to talk about habits in the same context as creativity and innovation.

10.2.3 Doing and To Do as Objects

Position one: verb-object: placed after transitive verbs;

Usage: Both 'Doing' and 'To Do' can serve as verbal objects;
Context: After transitive verbs, non-finite verb doing/to do serves as the object
Example:
Fortunately, the White House is starting to pay attention.
Fortunately, the White House is paying attention;
The decisions made it more difficult for states to collect sales tax on certain online purchases.
Long objects can also be placed backward as formal objects;
However, this can only be done when subject-verb-object complement is used, and 'It' is used in front to refer to the formal object;
Because if the structure is subject-verb-object, the object is already the last part, and there's no room for it to go further;

Position 2: Preposition: Placed after the preposition;

Usage: Only Doing can be used as intermediary;
Example:
The framers of the Constitution envisioned law as having authority apart from politics.
as: Preposition, followed only by the object Doing;
Thinking is essentially a process of making connections in the Brain.
of: preposition, followed by the phrase 'Doing Thing';
Thinking: also a form of Doing (Doing form);

10.2.4 `Doing` and `To Do` as Subject Complements

Which forms function as subject complements: A form following a linking verb functions as the subject complement;

Both doing and to do constructions can function as subject complements;
Example:
The trick is to direct these funds better.
The infinitive phrase functions as the subject complement;
Supplement 1: A gerund-participial construction can also function as a subject complement after a linking verb;
Supplement 2:
1. In a subject–linking verb–subject complement structure, both the subject and complement may be doing or to do constructions;
2. When both positions use non-finite constructions, parallel form is usually clearest;
Example:
Yes -> Seeing is believing.
Not allowed -> Seeing is to believe.

10.3 Used as attributives and adverbials

When a non-finite construction functions as a modifier or adverbial, it is an extended component of the sentence;

10.3.1 Basic Concepts

Attributives and Adverbials

A non-finite verb modifying a noun -> attributive;
A non-finite verb modifying a verb or clause -> adverbials;
All are modifiers, depending on which one they relate to;

non-finite verb

doing: indicates initiative;
done: indicates passivity;
to do: indicates purpose;

10.3.1 non-finite verb as an attributive

non-finite verb Modifying nouns, serving as attributives

Only by knowing the current modifier -> the noun being modified is the semantic subject -> can there be a reference -> know the active and passive parts;
Preposed attributives and postposed attributives
1. Short ones are placed before the noun: preposed attributive;
2. Place the long one after the noun: postposed attributive;
3. In Chinese: any modifier noun is placed forward;
Example:
The human nose is an __ (underrate) tool.
1. There is already the predicate is, all underscores are non-finite verb;
2. The underlined part is between 'an' and 'tools', so it definitely modifies the -> noun of 'tool', preceding the attributive;
3. Is the tool underestimated or underrated? The underrated -> underrated of the tool;
Full sentence: The human nose is an underrated tool.
They include materials __ (sponsor) by energy industry associations.
1. Should sponsor be non-finite? The clause already has the finite predicate include, so sponsor must be non-finite;
2. Sponsor: Who modifies? Modifiers are materials (nearby modifiers);
3. Is the material sponsored or sponsored by others? The back has by: So it is sponsored;
be done and done: have the same meaning. If it is a finite verb, use be done here; if non-finite verb, use done;
4. Sponsored (done), indicates: materials sponsored by the energy industry;
It also raises questions concerning "Values".
Concerning means that questions involve values, so questions are actively involved. So use doing;
A team of researchers working together in the laboratory would submit the results of their research to a journal.
A team of researchers actively working together, so it is working;
Permission to run a nuclear plant is a public trust.

10.3.2 non-finite verb as an adverbial

Non-finite Verbs Modifying Clauses as Adverbials

Example:
In just one generation, millions of mothers have gone to work, __ (transform) basic family economics.
1. Analyze the subject of the entire sentence: millions of mothers
2. Did they change voluntarily, or were they being changed? It was they who changed the basic situation of the family;
3. transform -> transforming；
Supplement: If the purpose is to express an end, you can also use 'to transform': to change the basic household finances;
__ （Enrage）by Entergy's behavior, the Vermont Senate voted 26 to 4 last year against allowing an extension.
The Senate was angered, so it was Enraged;
Supplement: when done appears by itself, it is non-finite;
To test this idea, he turned to the university-admissions process.
People are…. Poor at considering background information when making individual decisions.
Depending on the comments received, the editor would accept the paper for publication or decline it.

10.4 Summary

10.4.1 Method Summary

1. A non-finite form remains verbal but is not itself the finite verb of the clause. After identifying each clause's finite verb phrase, analyze other verb forms as coordinated verbs, heads of additional clauses, or non-finite constructions.
2. There are three types of non-finite verb: doing/done/to do, and 'to do' is always non-finite verb;
3. Usage of non-finite verb:
Equivalent to a noun, used as a subject, object, or subject complement (core component)
doing
Used as the subject
Used as an object
Following a transitive verb
Following the preposition
Used as a subject complement
to do
As subject: a long infinitive is often extraposed to the end, with dummy subject it in initial position;
As an object: follows a transitive verb and cannot be used after a preposition;
Used as a subject complement after a linking verb;
Modifying a noun as an attributive modifier, or modifying a verb/clause as an adverbial (extended components)
doing: indicates initiative;
done: indicates passivity;
to do: indicates purpose;
4. Pay attention to the completeness of non-finite verb phrases;
1. If it is a transitive verb, it should be followed by the object;
2. You can also add explanatory or modifying adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases to form a longer non-finite verb phrase.
5. Conclusion: First, determine whether it is a non-finite verb, then whether it is active or passive;
An -ed form may belong to a finite active verb phrase or function as a non-finite passive participle; determine its role from the sentence structure;

10.4.2 Exam Room Strategy

Tip 1: Completeness of non-finite verb Phrases

Don't focus on just one word; find the entire non-finite phrase;
Example:
The networked computer offers the first chance in 50 years to reverse the flow, to encourage thoughtful downloading and... Meaningful uploading.
1. In The networked computer offers the first chance, the finite predicate already exists, so any additional verb forms must be non-finite;
2. A networked computer refers to a connected computer and is a passive non-finite verb;
3. To reverse: the goal is to reverse this flow;
4. To encourage: The goal is to encourage meaningful downloads and uploads;

Tip 2: Identify What the Non-finite Verb Modifies

Identify the noun or clause modified by the non-finite verb;
Method:
1. Directly modify nouns before and after by noun;
2. There are commas and periods to separate and modify sentences;
Example:
Passing the cafe, I saw a friend.
Passing by this café, I saw a friend;
Archaeologists commonly use computers to map sites and the landscapes around sites.
to map: Archaeologists use computers to create maps, so drawing embellishes the entire sentence;

Strategy 3: Identify Non-Finite Constructions Used as Subjects, Objects, or Subject Complements

First identify the stable clause structure—subject, finite verb, object, and subject complement—then determine which role the non-finite construction fills;
Method:
1. First, find the finite verb (tense, modality, voice, and negation);
2. Use the finite verb as the dividing line: the subject normally precedes it, while an object or subject complement normally follows it;
Example:
In adulthood, looking at someone else in a pleasant way can be a complimentary sign of paying attention.
1. Find finite verbs, remember that a modal verb is followed by the base form, as in “can be”: In adulthood, looking at someone else in a pleasant way can be a complimentary sign of paying attention.
2. Finite verbs are the boundary, and the preceding one is the subject: In adulthood, looking at someone else in a pleasant way can be a complimentary sign of paying attention.
The doing construction functions as the subject;
Two prepositional phrases: at, in;
3. In Paying attention, pay is after 'of' and uses non-finite verb;
The main purpose of this “clawback" rule is to hold bankers accountable for harmful risk-taking and to restore public trust in financial institutions
1. is is the finite predicate;
2. The main purpose of this "clawback" rule;
3. Subject–linking verb–subject complement structure, with the complement consisting of: to hold bankers accountable for harmful risk-taking and to restore public trust in financial institutions;
Two parallel infinitive phrases: to hold and to restore;

Strategy 4: Retaining or Omitting Non-finite Constructions

1. If it serves as the subject, object, or subject complement, it is a core element and should be retained when simplifying the sentence;
2. Used as an attributive or adverbial in a sentence, it is an extension component; when simplifying sentences, it is temporarily omitted.