ENGLISH LANGUAGE SYLLABUS 2020

SEC 2E UNIT 2

Let’s Use… Non-finite Clauses as

Postmodifiers
Pay attention to the following guidelines when using non-finite clauses as
postmodifiers in your writing.

1. We can group clauses according to whether they tell us when something happened:
• Finite clauses contain verbs that show tense. The verbs can be in the present
tense or the past tense, and show us whether an event is in the present or the
past.

E.g.,
Gwen’s sudden disappearance gives me the jitters.
I panicked because Jane had stolen my wallet.
The robot that Dr. Gibbon invented is destroying our laboratory!

• Non-finite clauses contain verbs that do not show tense, which means that we
are not told when something happens.

E.g.,
Being an assassin, he knew no compassion.
To chase off the aliens, we looked for a new weapon.

2. In Secondary 1, we learnt how to use non-finite clauses in sentences. In this unit, we

will specifically learn how to use non-finite clauses as postmodifiers in noun phrases.

3. We know that noun phrases can include both premodifiers and postmodifiers.
Postmodifiers come after the head noun and provide additional information about it.
We can use non-finite to-infinitive clauses and non-finite participle clauses as
postmodifiers.

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 ENGLISH LANGUAGE SYLLABUS 2020
SEC 2E UNIT 2

E.g.,
Type Without a postmodifier With a postmodifier
Non-finite to- Mr. Khairul’s decision surprised Mr. Khairul’s decision to put up a
infinitive everyone in the Drama Club. production surprised everyone in the
clause Drama Club.
Non-finite That fashionable girl goes by the The fashionable girl walking down the
participle name of Jackie. street goes by the name of Jackie.
clause

4. Take note that we should place most modifiers right next to what they are describing.
If there is too much distance between the modifier and the noun it is meant for in a
sentence, this may result in a misplaced modifier. The meaning of such sentences is
often awkward, illogical or confusing.

E.g.,
Wrong: The man is waving to me standing in the corner.
Correct: The man standing in the corner is waving to me.

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FOR SCHOOLS’ USE ONLY