Page 58 - English Grammar - 6

Let’s Learn Infinitives

The root or base form of a verb is called the infinitive. It is generally accompanied by to.
For example:

They sat to eat.
l
He began to run.
l
I love to travel.
l
It is time to think.
l

Practice Time 4

Fill in the blanks with suitable infinitives.

1. Elephants love ___________ bananas.

2. I want ___________ a kite.

3. The monkey likes ___________ up the tree.
4. My pet dog jumps ___________ the ball.

5. They have ___________ across the river.

6. He had ___________ because of the noise in the room.

7. “Would you like ___________ a glass of water?”

8. All my friends would like ___________ the film.

Let’s Learn Finite and Non-finite Verbs

A finite verb is the main verb in a sentence, and it changes according to the number of a
noun (singular or plural), and also the tense.

Read the following sentences.
They study at home.
l
He studies at home.
l
He studied all night.
l
Here, the verb study changes with the subjects they and he. The verb also changes with the
tense in the third sentence.

Non-finite verbs do not tell us about the action done by the subject in a sentence. They may
be used as a noun, an adverb or an adjective, and they do not change with the subject.
Verbs Read the following sentences.

She loves swimming in the lake.
l

Here, the non-finite verb swimming is a noun.
The action done by the subject she is loves.

She loves what? Ans: swimming
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