Adjective

Although a finite I ( = INFL = INFLECTION) constituent is (overtly or covertly) inflected for TENSE or AGREEMENT properties, it should be obvious that a nonfinite' I in English lacks these properties. Hence, the infinitival particle ''to'' which occurs in a '''nonfinite''' I is by its very nature ''tenseless'' and ''agreementless'' (i.e. it carries no Tense or Agreement properties, and is thus an entirely uninflected form). The difference between a ''finite'' and a ''nonfinite'' Clause can thus be seen to lie in the nature of I: a finite Clause is one which contains a finite I (carrying Tense and Agreement properties); a '''nonfinite''' Clause is one which contains a ' nonfinite I which is tenseless and agreementless.