finite

finite — adjective

1. existing within a fixed boundary in size, number, or time, so that it cannot con

1.形容詞B2
釋義

existing within a fixed boundary in size, number, or time, so that it cannot continue or increase without ending

例句

The world's supply of fresh water is finite, so we must use it wisely.

collocation: finite supply

Esteban knew his time in the city was finite, so he enjoyed every day.

同義詞
  • limited

    the most common everyday alternative; 'finite' is slightly more formal and often used in technical or academic contexts

  • bounded

    used especially in mathematics and physics; less common in general speech

  • restricted

    emphasises an artificial or imposed limit, whereas 'finite' describes a natural limit

反義詞
  • infinite

    the direct and most common opposite; describes something without any limit or end

文法句型

finite + noun (supply / time / number / budget)

be + finite

用法筆記

Frequently modifies nouns that refer to quantities, resources, or durations (supply, time, number, budget, amount). The direct opposite is infinite.

常見錯誤

❌There is finite water on Earth.
✅There is a finite amount of water on Earth.
💡finite is usually paired with a noun like supply, amount, or number rather than used alone before an uncountable noun.
❌The resources are finite limited.
✅The resources are finite.' OR 'The resources are limited.
💡finite and limited are close in meaning; using both together is redundant.

2. describes a verb form that changes its ending to show the tense (past, present,

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describes a verb form that changes its ending to show the tense (past, present, future) and the person or thing carrying out the action — for example, 'she walks' (present, third person) versus 'to walk' (infinitive)

例句

In English, every sentence needs a finite verb, such as 'she runs' or 'they ran'.

contrast with non-finite forms

Naoko compared finite verbs like 'she eats' with non-finite forms such as 'eating' or 'to eat'.

反義詞
  • non-finite

    describes verb forms such as infinitives, gerunds, and participles that do not show tense or person

文法句型

finite verb

finite clause

用法筆記

This sense is limited to grammar teaching and linguistic analysis. Only verbs — not nouns or adjectives — can be described as finite. A finite clause contains a finite verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence.

常見錯誤

❌Walking is good for you' contains a finite verb.
✅Walking is good for you' contains a non-finite verb (a gerund).
💡'Walking' does not show tense or person; only the auxiliary 'is' is the finite verb here.
❌She to go to the store.
✅She goes to the store.' OR 'She went to the store.
💡'to go' is a non-finite infinitive and cannot serve as the main verb of a sentence.