Non-Finite Verb Forms-II : en and ing form (Step-73)

Chapter-V

NON-FINITE VERB FORMS.

A. In class Ix Text you read that every simple sentence must have a finite verb and it must agree with the subject. We also know that the first auxiliary in a verb group takes tense and hence it is a finite verb. All other verbs following it in that verb group are nonfinite verbs. Nonfinite verbs have no agreement with the subject. Let us discuss the following sentences:

She could have been laughing at us.

1. She could have been laughing at us.
2. He may have been writing the book.
3. The book may have been written.

Each of these sentences has four verbs: three auxiliary verbs and one full or main verb. The first modal auxiliary (could, may, may) is finite. All other verbs including the full verb (laughing, writing, written) are nonfinite verbs.

Non-finite verbs are used quite often. Look at the following sentences. Some of them are not acceptable. Why?

• Seema writes letters.
• Seema has written the letter.
• Seema is writing the letter.
• Seema will write the letter.
• *Seema write the letter.
• *Seema to write the letter.
• *Seema written the letter.
• *Seema writing the letter.
• They made Seema write the letter.
• They want Seema to write the letter.
• We found on Seema’s table all the letters written and typed.
• We saw seema writing the letter.

Sentences 8-11 above ungrammatical sentences because they have no finite verbs. We cannot form a sentence with nonifinte verbs only. We must use a finite verbs as in 4-7. However, the nonfinite verbs can work as subordinate parts of other sentences as 12-15 contain nonfinite subordinate parts.

1. (a) Seema wants to write the letter.

(b) Seema wants wanted to write the letter.

The finite verb changes from wants to wanted  as the tense changes. But the nonfinite verb to writedoes not change because it does not carry any tense.

Nonfinite verbs can be one of the four types as given below:

• to  + verb   without any other addition as to write in 13.
• only the  verb  without any addition as write in 12.
• –en form (third form) of the verb as written in 14.
• –ing form  of the verb as writing in 15.

   B. Now read the following sentences:

1.  I like toffees.
2. I like to eat toffees.
3. I like eating.
4. I like eating toffees.

In these sentences like is a finite verb, full verb, predicating verb and also a transitive verb in the present tense. Whatever comes after it (like what?) is its object. So, you can see that nonfinite verbs can work as objects just like nouns (toffees). In 18 and 20 the nonfinite verb is the object of the verb like. But the nonfinite verbs have objects of their own (to eat what? Eating what?)

• The players are running after the ball.
• Running is a good exercise.
• Don’t get off a running bus.

In 21, running is a nonfinite full verb following the finite auxiliary verb ‘are’. But running in 22-23 are not parts of the verb group. Let’s see how they work.

In 22, running is the subject, just like yoga or Gymnastics. In 23, running describes the bus, just like slow or crowded. So let us see how a nonfinite verb behaves when it is not a part of the verb group.

• (a) I want to win this match.
• (a) I want Bhutia to win this match.
• (a) It is easy to win this match.
• (a) Bhutia’s goal helped us win this match.

In these sentences to win or  win is the nonfinite verb. None of them is a part of the verb group. But we can say that  nonfinite verbs are aprts of the clasues reduced to nonfinite forms.

For example:

24. (b) I will win this match. + I want it.

25. (b) Bhutia wil win this match. + I want it.

26. (b) Anyone can win this match. + It is easy.

27. (b)  We won this match. + Bhutia’s goal helped us.

C. To + verb can work in several ways in a sentences and can come in different positions.

Let us see some examples:

• To err is human, to forgive divine.
• I hope to see you again.
• The doctor advised seema to take some rest.
• There is a house to let at the end of the road.
• He let out a part of his house to make some extra money.

In 28, what is human ? The answer is ‘to err’. So, ‘to +verb’ is the subject of the sentence. In 29, I hope what ? So, to +verb is the object of hope. In 30, the doctor  advised whom? –Seema. The doctor advised what? –to take some rest. Hence, both these expressions are objects of the verb advised. In 31, there is something at the end of road. What is it? –a house to let. Obviously, this noun phrase is the logical subject of this sentence beginning with there. House is the head noun. To let a part of his house.

Hence, the to =+verb construction is an adjunct here.

D. Sometimes to + Verb may reduce to f + verb only. Most of the modal auxiliary verbs are followed by f +verb. For example:

• I can swim.
• He might come.
• Please let us go home.
• The teacher made us write the word correctly.
• I helped may mother clean the kitchen.
• I will have the gardener plant these trees.
• I saw him cross the road.
• I heard her sing a patriotic song.
• He watched the kite rise in the sky.
• I did not notice you raise your hand.

Expressions like had better and would rather are followed by f +verb (not to +verb).

• You had better leave this place.
• I would rather look into it.

E. The nonfinite verbs after the following ones are usually to +verb.

Agree, appear, attempt, claim, decide, demand, desire, expect, fail, forget, hesitate, hope, intend, learn, manage, need, after, plan, prepare, pretend, refuse, seem, tend, want, and wish.

• I hope to see you soon.
• He requested me to help him.
• They expected to travel by air.
• They expected me to travel by air.

In 45, to +verb comes after full verb. No other words can come between them.

Other verbs of this type are ‘appear, begin, decide, deserve, fail, forget, manage, plan, prefer, pretend, try, remember, etc’.

In 46, there is a Noun Phrase (Noun or Pronoun) between the verb and to + verb. Other verbs of this type are ‘advise, allow, command, compel, force, instruct, invite, order, permit, remind, tell,’ etc.

Now compare 47 with 48. Verb like expect can be followed immediately by to +ver.

They can also take a noun phrase between the main verb and to +verb. Other verbs of this type are ‘ask, like, want,’ etc.

F. Now look at these sentences.

• He has insulted me.
• I was insulted by those rude boys.
• I felt insulted.
• Insulted by his rude behavior, I left that place.

In 49 and 50 insulted is the –en form of the ver. In 49, it is used after the auxiliary has in present perfect tense. In 50, it is used after the auxiliary was in simple past passive voice. But in 51-52, insulted is not a part of the verb group. Rather it is an adjective like sad. It has also a passive meaning: I was insulted by him.

Verb-en nonfinite verb has usually the subject common with the full verb.

• Assured of his help, I returned home.

The nonfinite part of the sentence means that I was assured of his help. But sometimes the subject of the finite part and of the nonfinite part can be deferent.

• We left the place and went home, the job finished.

The nonfinite part would mean. The job had been finished. The subject of the nonfinite part is the job whereas the subject of the finite part is we.

• The workers are old and tired.
• The work is difficult and tiring.

The nonfinite verb Verb-en  and Verb-ing in 55-56 are just like the adjectives  : old and difficult. But Verb-ing can work in many ways:

• Swimming is a good exercise.
• I enjoy swimming.
• He insisted on swimming in that river.
•  The most enjoyable experience is swimming in the sea.

In all these sentences ‘Verb-ing’ works like nouns. It is subject, object of preposition and complement in 57-60 respectively. Other verbs that take ‘Verb-ing’ as the object are avoid, consider, delay, deny, finish, forget, give up, help, practice, recommend, regret, etc. [Some people do not consider ‘Verb-ing’  nouns as nonfinite verbs. But look at 59-60. Swimming takes adverbs.]

Look at the following sentences:

• He went home, finishing his work in the office.
• I saw him leaving the office.
• I found him carrying a bag.
• I notice a young man riding on his scooter.

In 61, ‘Verb-ing’ starts a nonfinite clause that shows when he went home. In 62-64, the Verb-ing nonfinite clause is preceded by a noun phrases (him or Youngman): between the finite verb and the nonfinite verb. The nonfinite verb works as an adjective of that noun phrase. The other verbs that take noun phrase +Verb-ing are hear, feel, smell, watch, catch, leave etc.

• I don’t mind making a suggestion.
• Do you mind me making a suggestion?

Sometimes student cannot decide whether to use to –Verb or  Verb-ing  after some full verbs. The following verbs are usually followed by Verb-ing.

Admit, appreciate, approve of , avoid, can’t help,, consider, count on, delay, deny, depend on, enjoy , finish, give up, insist on, keep on, look forward to, mind, miss, object to , postpone, practice, prefer, put off, quit, recall, rely on, report, resent, resist, resume, risk, succeed in, suggest, think about, think of

There are some verbs which can be followed by either to +Verb or Verb-ing. Quite often, there is no major difference of meaning between them:

• (a) I like swimming.

(b) I like to swim.

The other verbs of this type are begin, can’t stand, continue, dread, hate, love, regret, start and try. But some verbs have different meanings if they are followed try to +Verb or by verb –ing.  For example:

• (a) He stopped smoking.

(b) He stopped to smoke.

In 68(a) he gave up a bad habit. In 68(b) he stopped on the way in order to smoking a cigarette. Similarly, find the difference in the following pairs of sentences:

• (a) I remembered posting the letter.

(b) I remembered to post the letter

• (a) I forgot doing the homework

(b) I forgot to do the homework.

• (a) I regret telling you that Billa stole it.

(b) I regret to tell you that Billa stole it.

In all these sentences mark the sequence of events suggested by the finite and nonfinite verbs.

When it is possible to use either to +verb or ver –ing, you should use to to +verb to refer to a particular occasion   and verb-ing to refer to a more common activity.

• (a) I prefer travelling by air. ( a general preference)

(b) I prefer to travel by air. (on a particular journey)

                Verb like see, hear, watch, notice, etc. can be followed either by verb-ing or f +ver . When we use verb-ing, we refer to a part of the action which is in progress. But f+verb is used to refer to a whole action. For example:

• (a) I saw him cross the road. (action is complete)

(b) I saw him crossing the road. (action is incomplete)

Execercise-1

Underline the nonfinite verbs in the following sentences:

1. He has been answering questions.
2. They must have finished doing their homework.
3. She may have been helped by her brother.
4. You should have been studying English Grammar more thoroughly.
5. The film must have been screened by now.

Execercise-2

Break the following sentences into two finite sentences each.

1. I want my friend to get the medal.]
2. She helped me do the exercise.
3. I hate telling lies.
4. I expect to write a story by tomorrow.
5. I expect you to write a story by tomorrow.
6. Our teacher made us write the story.

Execercise-3

What are the functions of the nonfinite verbs in the following sentences? [The functions are: subject, object, complement, and adjunct]

1. She plans to buy some presents for her sister.
2. Don’t allow others to get into the room.
3. He killed a snake to save the child.
4. I heard her sing a song.
5. To find fault with others is easy.
6. He is to go abroad next month.

Execercise-4

Complete the following sentences by adding a nonfinite clause using the words given in the brackets.

1. They made …………………. (I/do/it)
2. The gardener won’t let …………………. (they/touch/the flowers)
3. We heard …………………. ()the beggar/curse/the rude boys)
4. The clerk doesn’t allow …………………. (anyone/see/the files)
5. Please remind …………………. (he /write/ the letter)

Execercise-5

Complete the following sentences using the nonfinite verbs give in brackets. Some of these nonfinite verbs may go with noun phrases of your choice.

1. The teacher doesn’t let ___________(make) a noise in the class.
2. I would like __________ (meet) my uncle.
3. Hot weather makes ______________ (feel) uncomfortable.
4. Please remind ______________ (phone) Ashok tomorrow.
5. The film was very sad. It made ______________ (cry).
6. Lata’s parents have always encouraged ______________ (study).
7. He would like ______________ (come) to the party.

Execercise-6

Fill in the blanks with          to +Verb,        f+verb,      or          verb-ing.

1. I enjoy ________(play) on the river bank.
2. Where do you want ________ (go)?
3. I learnt ________ (swim) when I was eight years old.
4. I am trying ________ (study). Please stop ________ (talk).
5. I don’t mind ________ (travel) by bus but I prefer ________ (travel) by train.
6. She would not let me ________ (read) the letter.
7. Good bye. I hope ________ (see) you soon.

Execercise-7

Fill in the blanks with          to +Verb,    or    f+verb,      using the verbs given in the list. Select the appropriate ones.

[climb, do, go , cry, clean, come, walk, laugh, sleep, hear]

1. He is very funny. He makes me ______________
2. Please stay with me. I don’t want you ______________
3. Do you want to go on a bicycle? No, let’s ______________
4. Don’t wake me up tomorrow. Morning. Let me ______________ for some more time.
5. I helped my brother ______________ his room.
6. Talk quietly. I don’t want anybody ______________ us.
7. We persuaded our teacher ______________ with us.
8. I saw him ______________ over the wall.

EXERCISE-8

Read the following sentences and the hints given in the brackets. Write another sentence with a related meaning using the hints given. The first one has been done as an example.

1. Please don’t tell anyone that I have been punished.

Ans. (I / not / want / anyone / know)

1. I was sure that Ashok would help me.

(I / had / asked / him/ help me)

1. “Don’t touch that wire”, the man said to me.

( man / told/ not / touch)

1. My father said that I could use his watch.

( Father / allow / use / his / watch)

1. He told me that it would be good if I told the police about this accident.

( He / advise / report / to the police)

1. There is a football match between Mohan Bagan and East Bengal.

( You / want / East Bengal / win? )

EXERCISE-9

Put the verb given in brackets in the proper form, by using to +Verb,    or    f+verb  or  verb-ing, whichever is appropriate.

1. When you see Mr Dash, remember ___________ him my regards. (give)
2. I hate ___________ what I have heard about your. (repeat)
3. I prefer ___________ alone. (be)
4. I prefer ___________ silent in this case. (remain)
5. I hate ___________ lies. (tell)
6. Don’t forget ___________ the letter. (post)
7. Can you ever forget ___________ that important letter without any postage on it? (post)