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Non-Finite Clauses in English

The document explains gerunds, participle clauses, and infinitive clauses in English grammar, detailing their functions and usage in sentences. Gerunds are verb forms ending in -ing that act as nouns, while participle clauses use present or past participles to create concise sentences. Infinitive clauses express purpose or intention and can function as subjects, objects, or adverbial phrases.

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26 views6 pages

Non-Finite Clauses in English

The document explains gerunds, participle clauses, and infinitive clauses in English grammar, detailing their functions and usage in sentences. Gerunds are verb forms ending in -ing that act as nouns, while participle clauses use present or past participles to create concise sentences. Infinitive clauses express purpose or intention and can function as subjects, objects, or adverbial phrases.

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Gerund = ing-form = Verb als Nomen

Ein Gerund ist eine Verbform, die auf -ing endet und in einem Satz als Substantiv
fungiert. Da es wie ein Substantiv verwendet wird, kann es an Stellen erscheinen, an
denen normalerweise ein Substantiv steht (z.B. als Subjekt oder Objekt).

1.als Subjekt: Skiing is Bob’s favorite hobby.

2. als Objekt: Bob likes skiing.

a. nach Verben wie: to like, to love, to hate, to start, to stop


b. nach einigen weiteren Verben und Wendungen:
I couldn’t help smiling.
Would you mind opening the window?
She suggested going for a walk.
to admit to finish to practise I can’t help
to avoid to give up to prevent I don’t mind
to dislike to go on to resist I can’t stand
to deny to imagine to risk
to enjoy to miss to suggest

3. nach einigen festen Wendungen


She is busy writing letters.
How about going for a walk?
it’s no use what/how about...?
it’s useless it’s worth (while)
it’s no good what’s the use of...?
to be busy it’s a pleasure

4. nach Verben, Adjektiven und Nomen mit Präpositionen

a. Verben + Präposition

to agree with to look forward to to talk of/about


to apologize for to object to to think of/about
to complain of/about to rely on to worry about
to cope with to refrain from
to depend on to speak of/about
to dream of to succeed in
to insist on to take part in
to keep (on) to thank for
b. Adjektive + Präposition
to be afraid of to be interested in
to be/get accustomed to to be impressed with
to be angry about/at to be keen on
to be annoyed at/about to be proud of
to be capable of to be tired of
to be fond of to be sick of
to be good/bad at to be/get used to
to be happy about

c. Nomen + Präposition
advantage of intention of
chance of opportunity of
there is/ to be in danger of (to have a) reason for
to have difficulty in (there is no) way of
(in the) hope of possibility of
(to take an) interest in

5. als adverbiale Bestimmung

anstelle eines Nebensatzes oder einer dt. Infinitivkonstruktion nach den folgenden
Präpositionen:

after in (während)
apart from in spite of
before instead of
by on (als/sobald)
for (dafür, weil) without
Participle Clauses
Participle clauses are shortened dependent clauses that use a present or past participle
instead of a full verb phrase. They help make sentences more concise and are often used
in written English for a more formal tone.

Present participle clauses

a) for simultaneous action:


Used when two actions happen at the same time. The subject of the participle clause and
the main clause must be the same.

While I was walking down the street, I saw an old friend.


Walking down the street, I saw an old friend.

b) for cause and reason:


These replace clauses starting with because, since, as.

Because he knew she loved flowers, he bought her a bouquet.


Knowing she loved flowers, he bought her a bouquet.

c) for manner:
These describe how an action is done.

She left the room while crying.


She left the room crying.

Past participle clauses

a) for passive voice:


These describe completed or passive actions.

The house, which was built in the 18th century, is now a museum.
Built in the 18th century, the house is now a museum.*

b) Past participle clauses for condition:


These replace if-clauses in conditional sentences.

If he had been given more time, he would have finished the exam.
Given more time, he would have finished the exam.

c) for cause and reason:


These replace because or since clauses.

Because she was worried about her exam, she studied all night.
Worried about her exam, she studied all night.
Perfect participle (having + past participle) clauses

Used when one action happens before another.

After he had finished his work, he went home.


Having finished his work, he went home.*
Infinitive clauses
Infinitive clauses use the to-infinitive to express purpose, intention, or result. These
clauses function as subjects, objects, or adverbial phrases in a sentence.

Types of infinitive clauses

a) as the subject
In formal English, a to-infinitive can be the subject of a sentence. However, this structure
is often replaced with "it" as a dummy subject in everyday English.

It is important that students study regularly.


→ It is important to study regularly.

b) as the object
Some verbs take an infinitive clause as an object instead of a full subordinate clause.

She made the decision that she would stay at home.


→ She decided to stay at home.

Common verbs followed by an infinitive clause:


want, need, try, plan, decide, hope

c) expressing purpose
Infinitive clauses can replace subordinate clauses that express purpose.

She studies hard so that she can pass the exam.


→ She studies hard to pass the exam.

For more emphasis, in order to or so as to can be used.

He left early because he wanted to catch the train.


→ He left early in order to catch the train.

d) expressing result
Infinitive clauses can also indicate an unexpected result or consequence.

This box is so heavy that I cannot lift it.


→ This box is too heavy to lift.

e) after certain adjectives


Some adjectives require a to-infinitive clause rather than a full subordinate clause.

She was happy when she saw her friend.


→ She was happy to see her friend.
Common adjectives followed by an infinitive clause:
happy, glad, sad, easy, difficult, ready, prepared, possible, impossible

f) after certain nouns:


Infinitive clauses can follow some nouns to explain purpose or result.

They made an effort, and they helped us.


→ They made an effort to help us.

Common nouns followed by an infinitive clause:


decision, ability, chance, opportunity, need, reason

g) after certain passive constructions


Infinitive clauses frequently follow passive voice structures.

People expect that he will win.


→ He is expected to win.

Common passive structures:


be expected to, be told to, be asked to, be allowed to, be supposed to

h) with "for + object"


When the subject of the infinitive is different from the subject of the main clause, for +
object + to-infinitive is used.

It is important that students learn grammar.


→ It is important for students to learn grammar.

Common phrases:
It is important for..., It is necessary for..., It was difficult for..., She waited for..., They
arranged for...

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