What are the “non-personal forms” in english?

ByVocaVerb

What Are the Non-personal forms? Non-personal forms are verb forms that do not change for the subject (I, you, he, she, we, they). They often do not show tense directly. They are used to build phrases like “to eat,” “eating,” or “eaten.” Simple Example To learn English is useful. She enjoys learning English. The lesson…

What Are the Non-personal forms?

Non-personal forms are verb forms that do not change for the subject (I, you, he, she, we, they). They often do not show tense directly. They are used to build phrases like “to eat,” “eating,” or “eaten.”

Simple Example

  • To learn English is useful.
  • She enjoys learning English.
  • The lesson was learned quickly.

The Elements of Non-personal forms

In English, the main non-personal verb forms are:

Form Common name Basic pattern Example
Infinitive to-infinitive / bare infinitive to + verb / verb to go / go
-ing form gerund / present participle verb + -ing going
Past participle past participle often verb + -ed (or irregular) worked / gone

These forms are “non-personal” because they do not change like: I work / he works. They stay the same: to work, working, worked.

1) The Infinitive (to + verb, or bare verb)

The infinitive is very common. We use it to talk about goals, plans, and reasons.

Common uses

  • After many verbs: I want to study.
  • To give a reason: I went to the store to buy bread.
  • After adjectives: It is easy to understand.
Pattern Example
want / need / decide + to + verb They decided to leave.
It is + adjective + to + verb It is important to practice.

Bare infinitive (without “to”) is used after some verbs, especially:

  • Modal verbs: She can swim. / You must go.
  • Let / make: Let me help. / He made me wait.

2) The -ing Form (Gerund and Present Participle)

The -ing form has two main jobs. It can work like a noun (gerund) or like part of a verb/adjective (present participle).

A) -ing as a noun (Gerund)

  • As a subject: Reading helps your vocabulary.
  • After some verbs: She enjoys cooking.
  • After prepositions: Thank you for coming.
Common verbs + -ing Example
enjoy I enjoy learning.
finish We finished working.
avoid He avoids driving at night.

B) -ing as a participle (part of a verb or adjective)

  • Continuous tenses: She is studying now.
  • To describe a noun: The smiling child is my son.

3) The Past Participle

The past participle is often used in perfect tenses and passive voice. It is also used like an adjective.

Common uses

  • Perfect tenses (have + past participle): I have finished.
  • Passive voice (be + past participle): The window was broken.
  • As an adjective: I feel tired. / It is a broken chair.
Regular past participle Irregular past participle Examples
work → worked go → gone I have worked. / She has gone.
play → played eat → eaten It was played. / The cake is eaten.

Why Non-personal forms Are Important

  • They help you make longer sentences: I want to learn English to get a better job.
  • They are essential for key grammar: continuous tenses, perfect tenses, and passive voice.
  • They make your English more natural: Using “to + verb” and “-ing” is very common in everyday speech.

Comparison with Other Languages

Many languages have similar ideas, but the forms and uses can be different.

French vs English: Infinitive

French English Note
Je veux apprendre. I want to learn. French uses one infinitive form; English often uses “to + verb”.
Je peux venir. I can come. After a modal, English uses the bare infinitive (no “to”).

French vs English: -ing form

French English Note
Lire est important. Reading is important. English uses -ing as a noun very often.
Merci d’être venu. Thank you for coming. After a preposition, English usually uses -ing.

French vs English: Past participle

French English Note
La fenêtre a été cassée. The window was broken. Both languages use a participle in passive structures.

Complete Example

Here is a short text with different non-personal forms. The forms are highlighted in bold.

I decided to study English because I want to travel.
Right now, I am learning new words every day.
Practicing with a friend helps me a lot.
I have written a short email, and it was checked by my teacher.

Form Example from the text Function
Infinitive to study, to travel purpose / after “decided, want”
-ing form learning, practicing continuous tense / noun (subject)
Past participle written, checked perfect tense / passive voice

Conclusion

Non-personal forms are verb forms that do not change for the subject. In English, they include the infinitive, the -ing form, and the past participle. Learning them helps you speak and write more clearly and more naturally.

Sources

  • Huddleston, Rodney & Pullum, Geoffrey K. (2002). The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge University Press.
  • Swan, Michael (2016). Practical English Usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • Quirk, Randolph; Greenbaum, Sidney; Leech, Geoffrey; Svartvik, Jan (1985). A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. Longman.

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