1 Finite and Non-finite Verbs Exercises with Answers

. Finite verbs are those verbs that agree with the subject and express the mood,
tense, number and person. On the other hand
non-finite verbs do not agree with the subject and can be used in the
present participle, past participle or infinitive forms to perform different
functions in a sentence.
Answers for Exercise 1
1. I had alfredo pasta for lunch today.
Finite verb – Had
2. They brought us some homemade cookies.
Finite verb – Brought
3. Getting down from his caravan, A. R. Rahman waved to his fans.
Finite verb – Waved
Non-finite verb – Getting down
4. My parents have decided to move to New Zealand by the end of this year.
Finite verb – Have decided
Non-finite verb – To move
5. The waves kept hitting the rocks at regular intervals.
Finite verb – Kept
Non-finite verb – Hitting
6. Noorin was happy to be there at her best friend’s wedding.
Finite verb – Was
Non-finite verb – To be
7. Peaches is the name of the baby mammoth in the movie ‘Ice Age: Dawn of the
Dinosaurs’.
Finite verb – Is
8. Waking up from my nap, I realised I was late to pick up my son from school.
Finite verb – Realised, was
Non-finite verb – Waking up, to pick up
9. Martha was listening to her favourite songs as she continued to work.
Finite verb – Was listening, continued
Non-finite verb – To work
10. Chandra’s phone screen was broken.
Finite verb – Was
11. The teacher noticed that the students were not ready for the test, so
she let them revise.
Finite verb – Noticed, were not, let
Non-finite verb – Revise
12. As it was raining, the programme was cancelled.
 Finite verb – Was raining, was cancelled
13. There are no more copies left.
Finite verb – Are
14. Mazeeka texted Divya the moment their favourite song started playing.
Finite verb – Texted, started
Non-finite verb – Playing
15. The children were playing cricket.
Finite verb – Were playing
16. Nobody knew where Dennis was hiding.
Finite verb – Knew, Was hiding
17. Being sick, Adarsh decided to take a day off.
Finite verb – Decided
Non-finite verb – Being, to take
18. When we arrived at the airport, we found out that our flight had already left.
Finite verb – Arrived, found out, had left
19. Heera, amazed at my writing, congratulated and encouraged me to keep
writing more such pieces.
Finite verb – Congratulated, encouraged
Non-finite verb – Amazed, to keep, writing
20. Gowri figured out a way to combine both our choices and set up a themed
party.
Finite verb – Figured out, set up
Non-finite verb – To combine

2What Is a Noun Phrase? – Meaning and Definition

A noun phrase, as the term suggests, is a group of two or more words that
functions like a noun when put together. Like a noun, a noun phrase can also
take the place of a subject or an object. According to the Oxford Learner’s
Dictionary, a noun phrase is defined as “a word or group of words in a
sentence that behaves in the same way as a noun, that is, as a subject, an
object, a complement, or as the object of a preposition.”
How to Identify a Noun Phrase?
There is no particular rule that a noun phrase should contain a noun. Also, keep
in mind that there can be any number of noun phrases in a sentence..

The above mentioned components are not necessarily the only elements that
can make up a noun phrase. An adverb used with an adjective and a noun
and many other combinations can also constitute a noun phrase.
 Components of a Noun Phrase
Examples of Noun Phrases Containing a Noun, a Conjunction and a Noun
• Rakesh and Seeta are from Chhattisgarh.
• Music and dance interests me more than anything else does.
• Schools and offices have been shut down due to the heavy rains.
In the above sentences, the noun phrases (marked in bold) containing a noun, a
conjunction and a noun are seen to perform the role of the subject in the
respective sentences.
• We had bread and butter for breakfast.
• My mom went to the grocery store to buy fruits and vegetables.
• Most students find science and maths more interesting than history and
geography.
In the above sentences, the noun phrases (marked in bold) containing a noun, a
conjunction and a noun are seen to perform the role of the object in the
respective sentences.
Examples of Noun Phrases Containing a Gerund and a Noun
• Reading books is my favourite pastime. (Noun phrase used as subject)
• Listening to music is her hobby. (Noun phrase used as subject)
• The only thing my brother does not like to do is solving trigonometric
equations. (Noun phrase used as object)
Examples of Noun Phrases Containing an Article, an Adjective and a Noun
• The new girl became known to the whole school in just a day. (Noun phrase
used as subject)
• A three-legged puppy was found at the corner of the street last week. (Noun
phrase used as subject)
• My father bought my brother a smart watch for his birthday. (Noun phrase
used as object)
• We finally visited the well-known museum of arts today. (Noun phrase used
as object
Examples of Noun Phrases Containing an Article, a Noun and a Prepositional
Phrase
• The building near the bus stand was taken down in order to expand the roads.
(Noun phrase used as subject)
• The hypermarket at the end of the street is being renovated. (Noun phrase
used as subject)
• Did you meet the boy from London? (Noun phrase used as object)
• Nobody seemed to know the way to the passport office. (Noun phrase used
as object)
 Examples of Noun Phrases Containing a Determiner and a Noun
• These books belong to Suman. (Noun phrase used as subject)
• That building is where I live. (Noun phrase used as subject)
• What are you going to do with those oranges? (Noun phrase used as object)
• Are you thinking of buying this dress? (Noun phrase used as object)
Check Your Understanding of Noun Phrases
1. Have you ever visited Paris or Spain? – Object
2. Teena and Anu are my cousins. – Subject
3. Did you find the two-storeyed building on the fifth street? – Object
4. Pasta and momos seem to be my mom’s newly-found comfort food. – Subject
5. Nina helped her sister in finding the missing word in the crossword puzzle. –
Object
6. Did you find the answer to the question? – Object
7. Those shoes are torn; I don’t think I can use them anymore. – Subject
8. Adwaith and Sonia will be moving to Germany next year. – Subject
9. Christan was not able to finish the box of chocolates. – Object

3 What is a Main Clause?

A main clause is a group of words that make up the major part of a sentence. The
main clause has the ability to convey meaning and make complete sense even
if taken separately from the sentence, and so, it is also referred to as the
independent clause. A subject and a verb are required to form a main clause.
Difference between a Main Clause and a Subordinate Clause

Main Clause Subordinate Clause

It contains a subject and a verb and can It contains a subject and a

stand alone. verb but cannot stand
alone. It merely
complements the rest
of the sentence.

It can be used in a simple sentence, a It can be used in a complex

compound sentence and a complex sentence and a
sentence. compound-complex
sentence.
 Coordinating conjunctions and Subordinating conjunctions
correlative conjunctions can be used can be used to link a
to combine main clauses to form subordinate clause and
compound sentences and a main clause when
subordinating conjunctions can be forming complex
used to a main clause and a sentences.
subordinate clause to form a
complex sentence.

For example: For example:

I had tea and chicken samosas. After I reach home, I will
Jose had finally decided to go for a trip give you a call.
for it had been months since he I did not go to the museum
even got out of the house. with my friends as I was
sick.

Examples of Main Clauses

• Usha is a teacher.
• Suresh has been running all around as it is his son’s wedding.
• Though we had no interest in watching a movie, we went along with our
friends to the theatre.
• Nobody knows anything about the new neighbour, so we decided to go talk
to them.
• After a short break, the New Directions will be performing.
• In today’s event, the final dance by the Loyola Dance Crew will be the
highlight of the entire event.
• My brother is not keeping well, so my father is taking him to the doctor.
• I am sure my team will win as they have been practising for months.
• Even after hours of explanation, the students were not able to understand
the mathematical theorems.
• She does not think she can make it here in time; however, she told me she
will come
1 Check Your Understanding of Main Clauses
1. ’The Jungle Book’, written by Rudyard Kipling, is one of the most enjoyed story
collections.
2. The little girl was crying because she lost her favourite doll.
3. I am feeling a bit under the weather today, so I don’t think I’ll be going out.
4. If you think it will rain, it is better to carry an umbrella.
5. The boy, who helped me unload my luggage, lives in the next street.
6. I love listening to songs, but that does not mean I like all songs.
7. I am on the right track.
8. Thomas lives in the city.
9. I will help you find a taxi or I will come drop you at the bus stand.
10. Soumia didn’t go to college yesterday, for she was unwell.
2 What Is a Subordinate Clause? – Meaning and Definition
The Cambridge Dictionary defines a subordinate clause as “a clause that cannot
form a sentence on its own but can be joined to a main clause to form a
sentence.” A subordinate clause is defined as “a clause that does not form a
simple sentence by itself and that is connected to the main clause of a
sentence”,
A subordinate clause, also known as a dependent clause, is a combination of
words that includes a noun, a verb, a subordinating conjunction or a relative
pronoun, other parts of speech and determiners. It is only a part of the
sentence, mostly employed to provide more information about the rest of the
sentence. Let us look at how different dictionaries define a subordinate clause.
Types of Subordinate Clauses
• Noun clauses
• Adjective clauses
• Adverb clauses
• Conditional clauses
• Relative clauses
• Comparative clauses
• Verbless clauses
• Complementary clauses
•
Examples of Subordinate Clauses
• After watching the Quiet Place, I was petrified.
• Can you calculate these answer papers if you are free?
• In case you are ready, we can leave.
• Are you coming to the concert that I had told you about last week?
• Unless Quinn is fine with scoring low grades, she should not absent herself
from classes too much.
• She continued to tap on the table though her parents asked her not to.
• I met the teacher who taught me French in college.
• As soon as I found out about your accident, I rushed to the hospital.
• Mathi did not go to work today as she was not keeping well.
• No one was paying attention to the chief guest because he had been speaking
for a really long time.
 Test Your Understanding of Subordinate Clauses
1. With reference to the instructions provided, I think it is compulsory to submit
a consent letter from our parents.
2. We did not see the man, who sells balloons in front of our school, today.
3. Although my stomach was so full, I managed to finish my food.
4. After I reach home, I will give you a call.
5. Even though the little dog was blind, it found its way to Arjun.
6. When we have a break, we will discuss the movie.
7. If you don’t want it, make sure you let them know.
8. Since Simba was blind, he moved from one place to another with the help of
sounds.
9. I am taller than my brother.
10. When I was six years old, I participated in the singing contest for the first
time.
4 You can form different types of sentences using main clauses.
1 A simple sentence A simple sentence only has one independent clause. An
independent clause has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete
thought.
compound sentence.
2 A compound sentence is formed with two main clauses connected by
a coordinating conjunction such as for, and, nor, but, or, yet and
so. Conjunctive adverbs like however, meanwhile, in addition to, etc. can also
be used to link two main clauses to form a compound sentence.
 complex sentence
3 A complex sentence is formed with a main clause and a subordinate clause
joined by a subordinating conjunction such as when, after, because, since, as,
etc. The main clause can be placed in the former or latter part of the sentence.
 4 A clause is a group of words that contains at least one subject and at least
one verb.
5 A main clause is a group of words that contains at least one subject and one
verb and that expresses a complete idea.
6 A subordinate clause is a group of words that contains at least one subject
and one verb but that does not express a complete idea. Subordinate clauses
begin with subordinators.
7 Adverb subordinate clauses usually modify verbs and begin with
subordinators that answer when, why, how, to what degree.
8 Adjective subordinate clauses modify nouns or pronouns and begin with that
or which.
Answers for Exercise 1
1. I did not know that this food was meant only for the staff.
Sentence Type – Complex sentence
Main Clause – I did not know
Subordinate Clause – That this food was meant only for the staff
2. She is innocent, so she has appealed to the court.
Sentence Type – Compound sentence
Main Clause – She is innocent
Main Clause – She has appealed to the court
3. If you are not ready with the song, it is better to let them know.
Sentence Type – Complex Sentence
Main Clause – It is better to let them know
Subordinate Clause – If you are not ready with the song
4. She will come home or I will stay back at her place.
Sentence Type – Compound Sentence
Main Clause – She will come home
Main Clause – I will stay back at her place
5. In the evening, I am going to the park.
Sentence Type – Simple Sentence
Main Clause – I am going to the park
6. The sun looks amazing today.
Sentence Type – Simple Sentence
Main Clause – The sun looks amazing today
7. I remember the day that we met very well.
Sentence Type – Complex Sentence
Main Clause – I remember the day very well
Subordinate Clause – That we met
8. Nithi is not keeping well, yet she decided to go to work.
Sentence Type – Compound Sentence
Main Clause – Nithi is not keeping well
Main Clause – She decided to go to work
9. After they reach the hotel, they will inform us.
Sentence Type – Complex Sentence
Main Clause – They will inform us
Subordinate Clause – After they reach the hotel
10. We are going to the park.
Sentence Type – Simple Sentence
Main Clause – We are going to the park