There are four non-finite forms of the verb in English: the infinitive (to take), the gerund (taking), participle I (taking), participle II (taken). The non-finite forms can be used in any function, but the predicate. The main features of the non-finite forms:
- They don’t have the categories of person, number and mood;
- They don’t have tenses, though there is a relative tense distinction: the form of the verbal doesn’t show whether the action it denotes refers to the past, present or future, it shows only whether the action is simultaneous with the action, expressed by the main verb, or prior to it. F.e. I’m glad to meet you(simult.); I’m glad to have met you(priority).
- All verbals are of double nature, that is they have grammatical features, common with the verb and the noun(gerund/infinitive) and common with the verb and the adj. and adv.(Participles).
