The Evolution of Non-Finite Verb Forms from Old English to Modern English: A Diachronic Comparative Study

This study investigates the historical evolution of non-finite verb forms in the English language, focusing on their morphological and syntactic transformation from Old English to Modern English. By analyzing the development of infinitives, participles, and gerunds across distinct historical periods—Old English, Middle English, and Modern English—the research highlights the shift from a synthetic to a more analytic linguistic system. The paper examines the structural changes in form, usage, and function, drawing comparisons that illustrate how inflectional endings were gradually replaced by word order, prepositions, and auxiliary constructions. Key areas of focus include the grammaticalization of non-finite elements, the decline of inflectional variation, and the emergence of verbal-nominal hybrids such as the gerund. This diachronic comparative analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of how English verbal morphology evolved, providing valuable insights for historical linguistics, grammar instruction, and the study of syntactic change.