Page 37 - Grammar Glow - 7

6 6 Verbs

Warm-up

Read the given sentences. Underline the transitive verbs and circle the intransitive verbs.
1. The game has started. 2. The mechanic has repaired the car.

3. Can you write a letter for me? 4. The birds are chirping on the tree.

5. The kids are going to school. 6. He is writing a letter.

Finite and non-finite Verb
We have learnt tenses as well as their active and passive forms in detail. The verbs that we have
learnt so far had a feature. Each of them was limited by some rules. These rules were linked to the
three persons (first, second, third), numbers (singular and plural), tense (time of the action) and
voice, etc.

l I do my homework. l He does his homework.
l Homework is done regularly. l Homework can be done in the class.

These verbs have different forms when used with different persons and in different tenses. So they
are called finite verbs.
A Finite Verb is a verb that is limited by the rules of number, person, tense or voice, etc. But there
are forms of verbs that are not limited by these factors.

l To deceive is a bad habit. l Rinku refused to obey the orders.

l Deceiving is a bad habit. l He was caught stealing.
l Deceived people give curse. l Stolen goods were recovered.

Such verbs are called non-finite verbs.
A non-finite verb is a verb that is not limited by the rules of number, person, tense or voice, etc.

These verbs never change their forms because they are not affected by number, person, tense,
voice, etc.
Forms of Non-finite Verbs

There are three forms of non-finite Verbs.

1. Infinitives 2. Participles 3. Gerunds

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