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) With 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) … he be playing on computers all the time. (a gerund-participial subjunctive 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 . Use As a dependent clause, a non-finite clause plays some kind of grammatical role within a larger clause that contains it. What this role can be, and what the consequent meaning is, depends on the type of non-finite verb involved, the constructions allowed by the grammar of the language in question, and the meanings of those constructions in that language. Some examples are noted below: To live is to suffer in silence. (infinitival clauses used as subject and object) We went there to collect our computers. (infinitival clause used as an adverbial of purpose) They were sitting quietly. (participial clause used as verb complement to express progressive aspect) The man sitting quietly is the man to watch. (participial clause used as noun modifier) Well beaten, we slumped back to the dressing room. (participial clause used as nominative absolute) I like rescuing wasps. (gerund-participial clause used as a noun phrase) Carthago delenda est ("Carthage must be destroyed"; Latin gerundive used as a predicative expression) Different traditions According to Priscian, delenda is a participle because it agrees in number, case, and gender with a noun, namely Carthago, the subject. In Priscian's