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In linguistics, a non-finite clause is a dependent clause whose verb is non-finite; for example, many languages can form non-finite clauses from infinitives, participles and gerunds. Like any dependent (subordinate) clause, a non-finite clause serves a grammatical role – commonly that of a noun, adjective, or adverb – in a greater clause that contains it. ==Structure== A typical finite clause consists of a finite form of the verb together with its objects and other dependents (i.e. a verb phrase or predicate), along with its subject (although in certain cases the subject is not expressed). A non-finite clause is similar, except that the verb must be in a non-finite form (such as an infinitive, participle, gerund or gerundive), and it is consequently much more likely that there will be no subject expressed, i.e. that the clause will consist of a (non-finite) verb phrase on its own. Some examples are given below. ;Finite clauses *''Kids play on computers.'' (an independent clause) *I know ''that kids play on computers.'' (a dependent (subordinate) clause, but still finite) *''Play on your computer!'' (an imperative sentence, an example of an independent finite clause lacking a subject) ;Non-finite clauses *Kids like to play on computers. (an infinitival clause using the English ''to''-infinitive) *It's easy for kids to play on computers. (an infinitival clause containing periphrastic expression of the subject) *Playing on computers, they whiled the day away. (a participial clause, using a present participle) *The kids playing on their computers, we were able to enjoy some time alone. (a participial clause with a subject) *Having played on computers all day, they were pale and hungry. (a participial clause using a past participle) *Playing on computers is fun. (a gerund-participial clause) Some types of non-finite clause have zero in one of the object or complement positions; the gap is usually understood to be filled by a noun from the larger clause in which the non-zero clause appears (as is the subject "gap" in most non-finite clauses). These clauses are also called hollow non-finite clauses. Some examples: *He is the man to beat. (infinitival clause with zero object; ''the man'' is understood as the object) *That car wants looking at straight away. (gerund-participial clause with zero preposition complement after ''at'') *The building was given a new lease of life. (past-participial clause with zero indirect object) For more examples of such constructions in English, see English passive voice and . 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Non-finite clause」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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