What does nonfinite mean?
Nonfinite describes forms or quantities that are not finite. In grammar, the term is used especially for verb forms such as infinitives, participles, and gerunds, which do not change to express distinctions of tense, person, or number. A sentence can therefore contain a nonfinite form without making the rest of the clause nonfinite. In mathematics, nonfinite refers to values or limits that are not finite, including quantities that grow without a finite bound. The word is most useful when a discussion needs to distinguish grammatical forms from finite verbs, which carry inflectional endings and can stand as the predicate of a clause. For most readers, the familiar examples of an infinitive or a participle make the concept easier to grasp than the terminology alone.
adjectiveIn grammar, not finite: lacking the inflectional forms that express tense, number, and person. In mathematics, it means not having a finite value or boundary.
- In grammar, lacking finite inflection, especially belonging to a verb form that does not mark tense, person, or number.
- In mathematics, not equal to a finite number or not bounded by a finite limit.
"The infinitive and participial forms are nonfinite because they do not change for tense or subject."
"Infinitives and participles are nonfinite verb forms."
"The equation may have a nonfinite solution if the variable grows without bound."
Nonfinite forms let one sentence stretch across actions and states without changing for tense, number, or person.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nonfinite come from?
The word combines the prefix non-, meaning not, with finite, from Latin finītus, the perfect participle of fīnīre, to finish or determine. In grammar, the adjective developed from the mathematical sense of finite and was applied to verb forms that do not show grammatical finiteness. The related terms finite, infinite, definite, and indefinite share this Latin root.
Related word forms
How nonfinite is actually used
The term is chiefly used in grammar and mathematics. In ordinary prose, infinitive and participle are more accessible alternatives when discussing verb forms. Hyphenation varies in informal and technical writing, with both nonfinite and non-finite encountered.
Easily confused with nonfinite
Nonfinite is a general grammatical or mathematical term for something that is not finite, whereas infinite specifically means unlimited or without a bound.