nonfinitially

Nonfinitially is a term used in linguistics to describe a word or phrase that is not in a finite form. In English, finite forms are those that can stand alone as a complete sentence, typically by having a subject and a tense marker. Nonfinite forms, on the other hand, cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and often require additional context to be understood.

Examples of nonfinite forms in English include infinitives (e.g., "to eat"), gerunds (e.g., "eating"), and participles (e.g., "eaten"). These forms are often used as complements, modifiers, or subjects in a sentence. For instance, in the sentence "I want to eat," the verb "want" is finite, while "to eat" is nonfinite.

The study of nonfinite forms is important in linguistics as it helps to understand the structure and function of language. It also provides insights into how languages evolve and change over time. Nonfinite forms are found in many languages around the world, and their use varies depending on the language and the context in which they are used.