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BASIC GRAMMAR

A Verb is a word which tells us something about a person or thing. It tells about a
person or thing in the state of :
(a)

action

The child sleeps.

(b)

being

Madhuri is a great dancer.

(c)

possession

Shahrukh has a beautiful wife.

VERBS

eg.

FINITE VERBS

NONFINITE VERBS

Action + Tense

Only Action No Tense

(Verb shows action and tense)

(Verb shows action but not tense)

eg.

1. I play harmonium regularly.

1. They like to swim.

2. I saw a movie yesterday.

2. My grandfather uses a walking stick.

3. Salman will go for the premiere.

3. Walking is a mode of exercise.

NON FINITE VERBS

Infinitive

Participles
- Present participle verb + ing
- Past Participle ed, en, t, n.

Gerund

To + verb
1. I love to eat.
2. She likes to help the
poor.

Adjectival

Verbal

1. The class is full of smiling faces.

(Adjectival Present Participle)
2. He found the hidden gift.
(Adjectival Past Participle)
3. Seeing the police the thief ran.
(Verbal Present Participle)

verb + ing
Verbal Nouns
(It/What)

Subject

Object

1. Swimming is my hobby.
(Subject)
2. My hobby is swimming.
(Object)
3. I am not afraid of swimming.
(Object of preposition)

Tips : If the ing verb answers the question what, it is a Gerund.

If not it is a present participle.
If the present participle describes a noun, it is adjectival, otherwise it is verbal.
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SCHOOL SECTION

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English Grammar

SOLVED EXERCISE :
Identify the Non-finite verb and state its function.
1. A rolling stone gathers no moss.
Ans. rolling Adjectival Present Participle
2. A burnt child dreads the fire.
Ans. burnt Adjectival Past Participle.
3. Giving is better than receiving.
Ans. Giving Gerund (Subject)
Receiving Gerund (Object)
4. I met a girl carrying a bunch of roses.
Ans. carrying Verbal Present Participle
5. Blinded by the storm, they lost their way.
Ans. Blinded Verbal Past Participle.
EXERCISE :
Identify the Non-finite Verb and state the type.
1. Today the sketch, praying hands has become world famous in art gallery.
2. They are the fingers of a sacrificing friend.
3. To err is human.
4. I want to help you find your missing dog.
5. They kept the candidate waiting.
6. Friendship requires nourishing.
7. So Bhagwat Kadam decided she would buy a welding machine as her husband
knows welding.
8. And hope refills my weakened will.
9. She put the coffee pot for brewing.
10. Continue to study dancing.

SCHOOL SECTION

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