Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class English Book Solutions English Grammar Use of Non-finites (Infinitives, Gerunds and Participles) Exercise Questions and Answers, Notes.
PSEB 12th Class English Grammar Use of Non-finites (Infinitives, Gerunds and Participles)
We divide verbs into two types. One of the types of verb is the finite verb. A verb that changes its form according to person, tense, mood is called a Finite Verb.
Read the examples given below:
Neeru runs fast.
They run fast.
She is running fast.
We have run fast.
The verbs used in the above example are finite verbs because they change according to person, number and tense.
Now have a look at the sentences given below:
- She wants to be prosperous.
- They wanted to be famous. .
- You wanted to be rich and famous.
- She made me realise my mistake.
The verbs be and realise in the above sentences do not change according to tense, number and person. Such verbs are called non-finite verbs.
Now read the following sentences:
Rashmi eats to live.
Reshma eats to live.
Rajan eats to live.
A girl eats to live.
These girls eat to live.
You eat to live.
They eat to live.
The verbs used in the above sentences/examples are finite verbs because they change according to person, number and tense.
In the above examples containing eat and to live, eat is governed by person, number and tense. So it is finite verb.
In all other sentences to live is not governed by person and tense. That is an infinite verb.
Three kinds of verbs are there in the infinite verb.
The Infinitive
1. In simple language infinitive means the use of to before the verb.
Examples : I want to go. I want to hit you.
I shall watch Rekha dance.
He made me leave the room.
There are some verbs before which we do not use to. These verbs are make, observe, bid, notice, make, feel, need, dare, see, hear.
2. I need to warn you.
Do you need to leave this place just now ?
He dares me to kill the mongoose ?
If need and dare are used as main verb, to has to be used after these verbs.
3. We do not use to before did, may, do, shall, might, can, could.
He could ride a car.
We shall laugh,
I might leave for Jalandhar.
4. There are some verbs which take an infinitive with the verb.
Promise, refuse, wish, want, dare, fail, decide, agree, hope, desire, expect, ready, glad, happy.
Sentences : I promise to help you. He refused to obey me. I wish to see you tonight.
We use infinitive after some adjectives:
Ready, glad, happy, eager, easy, anxious, hard, able etc.
I am ready to leave for Gurdaspur.
I am glad to see my friend.
I am happy to meet you.
I am eager to know the result on my examination.
It is easy to solve this problem.
I am anxious to see my father.
It is hard to solve this riddle.
He was able to get the job.
Forms of Infinitive
The Infinitive has two forms:
(i) Bare Infinitive
Or
Infinitive without to.
run, fight
(ii) to + Infinitive
to repair
to go
Use of To + Infinitive
We use to + infinitive in the following ways:
1. As a verb
(a) To walk is a good exercise
To smoke is very harmful.
(b) I want to learn French. (Object of the transitive verb want)
I know how to cook pasta. (Object)
(c) The best thing is to help yourself. (Complement to the linking verb is)
Her target was to become an actress. (Complement to the linking verb was)
It is easier to say than to do. (After the dummy subject ‘it’)
2. As an adverb to modify a verb or an adjective:
He went to see the Chairman. (modifies the verb went)
They stood up to protest. (modifies the verb stood)
She is anxious to resign. (modifies the adjective anxious)
He is hard to please. (modifies the adjective hard)
3. As an adjective to qualify a noun:
It is time to depart (qualifies the noun time)
We have nothing to offer. (qualifies nothing)
4. As an object complement or an object to a preposition.
He is about to retire.
We saw him run.
This shop is about to shut.
I felt something fall on my shoulder.
5. As an adjunct :
The captain was the last to abandon the ship.
Kindly give me some water to drink.
6. As part of too + adjective/adverb + infinitive.
He is too weak to walk.
He doesn’t have money enough to buy a flat.
7. As an absolute to modify the whole sentence.
To be candid with you, you are unfit for the job.
To be brief, you have cheated all of us.
Use the Bare Infinitive
8. We do not use to (bare infinitive) before some verbs like watch, bid, see, let, make, help, hear, feel, behold etc.
I shall watch you write an apology.
I heard her sing.
Mummy helped her daughter do her homework.
The Chairman made me wait.
I like you to be with me.
Let me know the truth.
9. With had better, had rather.
You had better stay where you are.
You had rather patch up with your friend.
10. With some prepositions like except, but, than etc.
He does nothing but play.
I would rather give up.
He does nothing except crib.
I would rather die than beg.
11. Passive form of the infinitive (to + be + past participle)
Women like to be flattered by men.
It is an insult to be maltreated like that.
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks using the verbs within brackets (with or without to):
1. He made me ………… (to laugh)
2. He is too weak ………… (to walk)
3- Raju let me ………… his car. (to drive)
4. He must ………… them from going, (to prevent)
5. You had better ………… (to go)
6. The mango is ………… (eat)
7. You are too young ………… (to understand)
8. There is nothing ………… (to say)
9. We watched them ………… (to work)
10. Let him ………… this work (to do)
Answer:
1. laugh
2. to walk
3. drive
4. prevent
5. go
6. to eat
7. to understand
8. to be said
9. work
10. do.
Exercise 2
Fill up the blanks with infinitive:
1. There is no one ………… this claim, (challenge)
2. He did not let me ………… my work in peace, (do)
3. He was sure ………… a scholarship, (get)
4. The teacher asked the students ………… silence, (maintain)
5. The doctor advised me ………… regular exercise, (to take)
6. They did nothing but ………… (to think)
7. You had rather ………… there, (to go)
8. Everyone wants ………… peacefully, (to live)
9. My father allowed me ………… (to go)
10. She expects ………… (to succeed)
Answer:
1. to challenge
2. do
3. to get
4. to maintain
5. to take
6. think
7. go
8. to live
9. to go
10. to succeed.
The Gerund
A gerund is that form of the verb which ends in V-ing and has the force of a noun. That is why a gerund is called a verbal noun.
Use of Gerund
1. As a Subject
Running is good for health.
Swimming is useful for reducing weight.
Seeing is believing
Reading makes a man complete.
Writing makes a man perfect.
2. As an object
She likes painting.
Rekha loves dancing.
3. As a complement to a Linking Verb
My first love is singing.
My favourite sport is swimming.
4. As an object of preposition
I am tired of sitting all day long.
I am fond of fishing.
He is addicted to gambling.
5. As part of a Noun Phrase
Watching snowfall is soothing to the eyes.
It is foolish catching fire.
Note : Addicted to, look forward to are followed by gerund -ing.
He is addicted to drinking.
He is looking forward to meeting his friend.
The Participle
A participle is that form of verb which partakes of the nature both of a verb and of an adjective.
Kinds of Participle
Participle is of two kinds:
| Present Participle | Past Participle |
| V1 + ing | |
| go + ing | V3 gone |
| eat + ing | V3 eaten (eat, ate, eaten) V3 |
| V1 is the first form of the verb. | V3 is the third form of the verb. |
Use of Participle:
1. As an adjective :
I will buy a talking clock.
This house has no running water.
2. As an object complement:
I found the conditions soothing.
She found the baby weeping.
3. As an adverb :
She went away smiling.
The player left the ground abusing.
The girl stood whistling.
4. As part of an Adjective Phrase:
The lady doctor living on the ground floor is very charming.
The man managing the event is my uncle.
5. As a Participle Phrase :
Placing his hand on the Gita, he swore that he would speak the truth.
Taking her bag, the lady walked out of the Mall.
Difference between a Gerund and a Participle:
Throwing a grenade at the C.R.P.F. picket, the terrorist ran away. (Present Participle)
Throwing stones at other people’s houses is an anti-social act. (Gerund)
Swimming in the fast flowing water, Atul saved a drowning boy. (Present Participle)
Jogging is a good exercise. (Gerund)
Use of Past Participle:
1. As an Adjective:
The injured man was carried to the trauma centre.
He is a gone case.
2. As an Object Complement:
I found the door shut.
The murder of the leader left us shocked.
3. As an Adverb:
He left the gym totally exhausted.
Nervous, he kept on moving to and fro.
4. As part of a Participle Phrase:
I saw a dog crushed under a truck.
The landlady found her house burgled from the front and the back.
Exercise 1
Do as directed:
Question 1.
………… (hear) a noise, I turned round. (Fill up the blank with a participle)
Answer:
Hearing a noise, I turned round.
Question 2.
I saw a storm ………… (approach). (Fill up the blank with a participle)
Answer:
I saw a storm approaching.
Question 3.
(Hunt) deer is not allowed in this area. (Fill up the blank with a gerund)
Answer:
Hunting deer is not allowed in this area.
Question 4.
Children love ………… make mud houses. (Fill up the blank with a gerund)
Answer:
Children love making mud houses.
Question 5.
………… (toil) is the lot of mankind. (Fill up the blank with an infinitive)
Answer:
To toil or toiling is the lot of mankind.
Exercise 2
Do as directed:
Question 1.
Combine the following sentences using an infinitive:
(i) He went to Amritsar.
(ii) He wanted to visit the Golden Temple.
Answer:
He went to Amritsar to visit the Golden Temple.
Question 2.
Combine the following sentences using the participle:
(i) I speak the truth.
(ii) I am not afraid of speaking of it.
Answer:
I am not afraid of speaking the truth.
Question 3.
A ……….. candle fell off the table, (burn) (Fill up the blank with a participle)
Answer:
A burning candle fell off the table.
Question 4.
He left the tap (run). (Fill up the blank with a participle)
Answer:
He left the tap running.
Question 5.
Combine the following sentences using a participle :
He had resolved on a certain course.
He acted with vigour.
Answer:
Having resolved on a course, he acted with vigour.
Question 6.
Combine the following sentences using a participle:
They had no fodder.
They could give the cow nothing to eat.
Answer:
Having no fodder, they could give the cow nothing to eat.
Question 7.
Success is not merely ………….. (win) applause. (Fill up the blank with a gerund)
Answer:
Success is not merely winning applause.
Question 8.
………….. (amass) wealth often ruins the health. (Fill up the blank with a gerund)
Answer:
Amassing wealth often ruins the health.
Exercise 3
Do as directed:
Question 1.
The ability …………. (laugh) is peculiar to mankind. (Fill the blank with an infinitive)
Answer:
The ability to laugh is peculiar to mankind.
Question 2.
Can you hope (count) the stars ? (Fill up the blank with an infinitive)
Answer:
Can you hope to count the stars ?
Question 3.
Combine the following sentences using a participle:
(i) I call a spade a spade.
(ii) I am not afraid of it.
Answer:
I am not afraid of calling a spade a spade.
Question 4.
The man seems …………. (worry) (Fill up the blank with a participle)
Answer:
The man seems worried.
Question 5.
We had a drink of the ………….. (sparkle) water. (Fill up the blank with a participle)
Answer:
We had a drink of the sparkling water.
6. Combine the following sentences using a participle:
(i) The stable door was open.
(ii) The horse was stolen.
Answer:
The stable door having been opened, the horse was stolen.
Question 7.
Combine the following sentences using a participle:
(i) We met a man.
(ii) He was carrying a log of wood.
Answer:
We met a man carrying a log of wood.
Question 8.
We were prevented from …………. (enter) the house. (Fill up the blank by using a gerund)
Answer:
We were prevented from entering the house.
Question 9.
We heard her …………… (sing) at the function. (Fill up the blank with a gerund)
Answer:
We heard her singing at the function.
Exercise 4 (Textual)
Do as directed:
Question 1.
He is slow, ……………. (forgive) (Fill up the blank with an infinitive)
Answer:
He is slow to forgive.
Question 2.
I am sorry …………… (hear) this. (Fill up the blank with an infinitive)
Answer:
I am sorry to hear this.
Question 3.
Combine the following sentences using an infinitive:
(i) He collects old stamps even at great expense.
(ii) It is his hobby.
Answer:
It is his hobby to collect old stamps even at great expense.
Question 4.
…………… (Run) water is not always fit for drinking. (Fill up the blank with a participle)
Answer:
Running water is not always fit for drinking.
Question 5.
………… (carry) by the wind, seeds are scattered far and wide. (Fill up the blank with a participle)
Answer:
Having been carried by the wind, seeds are scattered far and wide.
Question 6.
Combine the following sentences using a participle:
(i) He was dissatisfied.
(ii) He resigned his job.
Answer:
Having been dissatisfied, he resigned his job.
Question 7.
Combine the following sentences using a participle :
(i) We met a girl.
(ii) She was carrying a basket of flowers.
Answer:
We met a girl carrying a basket of flowers.
Question 8.
He is fond of ……….. (swim) (Fill up the blank with a gerund)
Answer:
He is fond of swimming.
Question 9.
Are you afraid of his …………… (hear) you ? (Fill up the blank with a gerund)
Answer:
Are you afraid of his hearing you ?
Question 10.
I have come ……………. (see) you. (Fill up the blank with an infinitive)
Answer:
I have come to see you.
Exercise 5 (Textual)
Question 1.
Combine the following sentences using an infinitive:
(i) He has five children.
(ii) He must provide for them.
Answer:
He must provide for them.
Question 2.
He has five children to provide for.
(i) He wants to earn his livelihood.
(ii) He works hard for this reason.
Answer:
He works hard to earn his livelihood.
Question 3.
(i) I saw him (enter) the house. (Fill up the blank with a participle.)
Answer:
I saw him entering the house.
Question 4.
He played a …………. (lose) game. (Fill up the blank with a participle)
Answer:
He played a losing game.
Question 5.
Combine the following sentences using a participle:
(i) He staggered back.
(it) He sank to the ground.
Answer:
He staggered back sinking to the ground.
Question 6.
She is very keen to …………. modelling, (take up) (Fill up the blank with an infinitive)
Answer:
She is very keen to take up modelling.
Question 7.
What she hates most is ……………. (smoke) (Fill up the blank with a gerund)
Answer:
What she hates most is smoking.
Question 8.
He objected to …………. money on cosmetics, (spend) (Fill up the blank with a gerund)
Answer:
He objected to spending money on cosmetics.
Question 9.
It is a penal offence ……………. bribe a public servant. (Fill up the blank with an infinitive)
Answer:
It is a penal offence to bribe a public servant.
Question 10.
The boys are anxious ………….. (learn) (Fill up the blank with an infinitive)
Answer:
to learn.
Exercise 6 (Textual)
Question 1.
Combine the following sentences using participles:
(i) The strikers held a meeting.
(ii) They wished to discuss the terms of the employers.
Answer:
The strikers held a meeting wishing to discuss the terms of the employers.
Question 2.
(i) The robber took out a knife.
(ii) He wanted to frighten the old man.
Answer:
The robber took out a knife wanting to frighten the old man.
Question 3.
…………. (consider) the facts, he received scant justice. (Fill up the blank with a participle)
Answer:
Considering the facts, he received scant justice.
Question 4.
Combine the following sentences using a participle:
(i) He walked away.
(ii) He was whistling.
Answer:
He walked away whistling.
Question 5.
My hair needs …………….. (cut) (Fill up the blanks with a gerund)
Answer:
My hair needs cutting.
Question 6.
I saw him …………….. (cross) the road. (Fill up the blank with a gerund)
Answer:
I saw him crossing the road.
Exercise 7 (Textual)
Combine each of the following pairs of sentences into one sentence by using infinitives:
Question 1.
I am learning Sanskrit. I want to study the Gita.
Answer:
I am learning Sanskrit to study the Gita.
Question 2.
He labours hard. He wants to succeed.
Answer:
He labours hard to succeed.
Question 3.
I am learning English. I want to study the works of Shakespeare.
Answer:
I am learning English to study the works of Shakespeare.
Question 4.
Children are going to the field. They want to play.
Answer:
Children are going to the field to play.
Question 5.
I have come here. I would like to see you.
Answer:
I have come here to see you.
Exercise 8 (Textual)
Fill up the blanks with one of these: (Infinitive, Gerund, Participle)
Question 1.
He has a …………… look, (surprise)
Answer:
surprised (Participle)
Question 2.
My father is a …………… man. (retire)
Answer:
retired (Participle)
Question 3.
They promised …………… me. (help)
Answer:
ro help (Infinitive)
Question 4.
…………… is pleasant, (play)
Answer:
Playing (Gerund)
Question 5.
…………… on the footpath is safe, (walk)
Answer:
Walking on the footpath is safe. (Gerund)
Question 6.
He gave me a pen …………… with, (write)
Answer:
He gave me a pen to write with. (Infinitive)
Question 7.
He gave up …………… (drink)
Answer:
He gave up drinking. (Gerund)
Miscellaneous Exercises
Infinitive
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks with a infinitive:
1. …………… (waste) time is a folly.
2. …………… (err) is human.
3. I find it sensible …………… (remain) silent.
4. She seems …………… (be) happy.
5. …………… (toil) is the lot of mankind.
6. You need …………… (do) a lot.
7. I gave him a chance …………… (reconsider) his stand.
8. You are advised not …………… (mislead) your friends.
9. The game was about …………… (begin).
10. Let him leave the room.
11. Make him realise his mistake.
Answer:
1. To waste
2. To err
3. to remain
4. to be
5. To toil
6. to do
7. to reconsider
8. to mislead
9. to begin
10. To is not to be used in these sentences.
11. To is not to be used in these sentences.
Exercise 2
Use the following pair of sentences by using an infinitive:
1. The poor man had live children.
He must provide for them.
2. Turn to the left.
You will find my house.
3. My teacher will learn about my success.
He will be delighted.
4. This box is very big.
He can’t lift it.
5. I had no money.
I could buy no clothes.
Answer:
1. The poor man had ro provide tor five children.
2. Turn to the left for my house.
Or
Turn to the left to find rny house.
3. My teacher will be delighted to learn about my success.
4. This box is too big to lift.
5. I had no money to buy clothes.
Gerund
Exercise 1
Complete the following sentences with correct use oi gerund form of the verb:
1. He is good ar …………… (dance).
2. He is crazy about …………… (sing).
3. He doesn’t like …………… (play; cards.
4. I am afraid of …………… (swim) in the canal.
5. I am always interested in …………… (make) ftiends.
6. He is scared of …………… (travel! by air.
7. I suggest …………… (do) sonic m ire sums.
8. They insisted on …………… (cook) the dinner at home.
9. I thanked him for …………… (fix) my door.
10. I praised him for …………… (help) me in distress.
Answer:
1. dancing
2. playing
3. playing
4. swimming
5. making
6. travelling
7. doing
8. cooking
9. fixing
10. helping.
Participle
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks with Present Participle:
1. The man …………… (drive) the car is my uncle.
2. Lorries …………… (come) over the bridge have to be careful of the wind.
3. Who was the girl …………… (wear) the red dress ?
4. Students …………… (submit) their essays late will lose ten marks.
5. The …………… (bud) flowers looked very lovely.
6. The …………… (run) bus rammed against the wall.
7. …………… (hear) the noise, he rushed to the spot.
8. They told us an …………… (amuse) account of their journey.
9. I saw the lion …………… (approach) us.
10. He watched them …………… (fight) over trigger.
Answer:
1. driving
2. coming
3. wearing
4. submitting
5. budding
6. running
7. Hearing
8. amusing
9. approaching
10. fighting.