Finite Verb

Definition

We can define finite verb as “A finite verb is a form of a verb that has a subject (expressed or implied) and can function as the root of an independent clause; an independent clause can, in turn, stand alone as a complete sentence”.

Explanation

Finite verbs have a subject and used in the sentence to show tense. Finite verbs have a definite relation with subject or noun. It becomes the main verb of a clause or sentence and used only in present and past tense. It can also be changed according to the noun. They indicate passive or active voice as well as singular or plural number. If there is only one verb in the sentence, it is finite verb as it can stand by itself in the sentence. Sometimes, it is also called as tensed verb. For example:

  • She watches (In this sentence: finite verb is ‘watches’ and the pronoun is ‘she’).
  • She watched (In this sentence: finite verb is changed in order to change the tense of sentence).
  • She lives in India. (In this sentence: ‘she’ is the subject and ‘lives’ is finite verb as it describes what the subject does).

Examples and Use

Following are the examples showing the use of finite verbs in the sentence:

  • He painted all the walls.
  • I varnished the painted walls.
  • He promised me for the movie at this weekend.
  • He is excited to see the amusement park.
  • I went to play badminton in the park.
  • They wanted to go for movie.
  • Yesterday, I saw a stranger man.
  • It was a nice trip.

Rules/Tips to be Followed

Following are some rules and tips you should remember to use finite verbs in the sentence:

  • The position and form of finite verbs can be easily recognized in the sentence. Most of the finite verbs have ‘ed’ at the end indicating time in the past such as engage, engaged; celebrate, celebrated, etc. Most of the finite verbs don’t have these endings.
  • Finite verbs having letter ‘s’ at the end indicate the time in present and used with third-person singular subject. Such as: play, he plays; celebrate, she celebrates, etc.
  • Sometimes, finite verbs include auxiliary verbs (like can, must, have, be, etc) and become group of words like: can be running, must watch, will have gone, etc.
  • Finite verbs used in the sentence follow their subjects such as she plays, he eats, etc.
  • Sometimes, they surround their subjects in questionable sentences like: Are they playing? Do you play football?

Exercises for you

Finite verb exercises given below will help you in analyzing your knowledge about finite verb. Just go through all the details given above about the finite verb and check your skill by doing following exercises for finite verb. We have used finite verbs in the following sentences; you need to check your skill by identifying finite verbs in each sentence:

  1. He goes for morning walk daily.
  2. I go to school by van every day.
  3. He went to the market at 9 pm.
  4. He runs in the playground every morning.
  5. He gave me a story book.
  6. I watch movie.
  7. He drinks tea.
  8. He drank coffee.
  9. We play carrom board.
  10. We played kho-kho in the playground.
  11. We swam in the pool for two hours.
  12. I want to drink a glass of water.
  13. He speaks wrong.
  14. I only like to speak truth.
  15. I promised her for a nice walk.
  16. He is excited to go fun and food village.
  17. They travelled to USA for business purpose.
  18. They went to school at 9 am.
  19. She loves dancing in the heavy rain.
  20. I love eating momos.

Answers: 1 – goes, 2 – go, 3 – went, 4 – runs, 5 – gave, 6 – watch, 7 – drinks, 8 – drank, 9 – play, 10 – played, 11 – swam, 12 – want, 13 – speaks, 14 – speak, 15 – promised, 16 – excited, 17 – travelled, 18 – went, 19 – loves, 20 – love

Related Information:

Verb
Regular Verb
Irregular Verb
Subject-Verb Agreement
Modal Auxiliary Verbs
Intransitive Verbs
Transitive Verbs
Nonfinite Verb
Stative Verb
Dynamic Verb
Auxiliary Verb
Lexical Verb

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