Chapter- 08, Non-Finites, English Practice Book, DAV Class VIII, The Best Solutions.

Worksheet 1

A. Read the following.

1. She loves to cook food.
2. They love to cook food.

In the above sentences, the verb ‘love’ changes its form to agree with its subject:

She loves

They love

B. Look at the table given below.

Read the table carefully.

Worksheet 2

The Infinitive

A. Read the following.

1. He agreed to play the match.
2. I decided to buy the dress.
3. We expect our team to win the tournament.

An infinitive is formed by adding ‘to’ to the base form of a verb.

B. Complete the sentences given below by filling the blanks with the infinitive form of the verbs in the brackets.

1. To switch on (switch) the computer, press the green button.
2. To hear him singing is a pleasure.
3. My idea of happiness is to spend time with my family.
4. Your job is to deliver the packet on time.
5. The baby doesn’t want to go to sleep.
6. Everyone has the right to speak their mind.
7. Ritika is keen to meet her friends.
8. To see them together was a pleasant experience.
9. I like to eat cereals in breakfast.
10. They want to dance.

Worksheet 3

A. Read the examples given below.

1. I failed to understand her language.
2. She hesitated to ask a question.

Certain verbs are generally followed by a ‘to’ infinitive.

For example,

1. I forgot to invite her.
2. They threatened to sue the company.

Given below is a list of verbs that are generally followed by an infinitive.

B. Use at least ten of the verbs [given in the box on the previous page] in your own sentences. Make sure that these verbs are followed by a ‘to infinitive.

1. I agreed to help my friend with homework.
2. He decided to join the music club.
3. She refused to answer the question.
4. They hope to win the match.
5. We forgot to buy groceries.
6. He promised to return on time.
7. I offered to drive her home.
8. She managed to finish the task early.
9. They planned to go to the beach.

10. I wish to see the Eiffel Tower someda

Worksheet 4

A ‘to infinitive’ can be used in various patterns. Study the following sentences and understand these patterns.

B. Complete the following sentences using an infinitive construction.

1. The company wanted to hire new interns.
2. The minister promised to improve the transport system.
3. I, somehow, managed to complete the assignment.
4. We need a compass to find directions.
5. Ask a plumber to fix the leaking tap.
6. The teacher will explain to us how to solve the equation.
7. Can you tell me where to submit the form?
8. The doctor advised the patient to take rest.
9. I expected to receive a response.
10. I expected him to call me back.
11. It was wrong of the filmstar to behave so rudely.
12. It is difficult for me to concentrate with noise.
13. It is essential for the residents to follow the new rules.
14. They are expecting the tenants to vacate the house soon.

Worksheet 5

The Bare Infinitive

A. Read the following examples.

1. You must see your doctor today.
2. We all should teach at least one underprivileged child.

In the above examples, the infinitive has been used without ‘to’. It is called bare infinitive. Modals are always followed by the infinitive without ‘to’. (Ought to is an exception.)

Also, verbs of perception, such as see, hear, feel, know are followed by an infinitive without ‘to.

Such verbs as let, bid, make are also followed by a bare infinitive.

B. Read the sentences given below. There is one error/omission in each sentence. Discuss with your friends and rewrite the sentences correctly in the given spaces.

1. The teacher made him stand.
2. You need not do it.
3. Let them enter the room.
4. You dare not talk to me.
5. Bid them go out.
6. I must reach my school by 7 a.m.
7. You ought to drive slowly in residential areas.
8. I have to write a few letters before I go to bed.
9. I used to study late at night during those days.
10. We have to reach the station early to catch the train.
11. You ought to stop at traffic signals.
12. You ought to read this book. It is very good.

Worksheet 6

Read the following sentences and tick (✔) the correct option.

1. I am so tired that I want to lie/lie down and to go/go to sleep.

lie, go

2. It is easier to flatter/flatter than to praise/ praise.

to flatter, to praise

3. Tanvi is ready to go/go anywhere but visit/ to visit Delhi.

to go, visit

4. I like read/to read as well as write/to write poetry.

to read, to write

5. Do you want meet/to meet the clients now or to wait/wait till evening?

to meet, wait

6. Rishi had nothing to do/do except to watch/ watch T.V.

do, watch

7. Riti has to work/work as well as look/to look after her family.

to work, to look

8. I have to buy/buy vegetables and cook/to cook food.

to buy, to cook

9. It is better to live/live in obscurity than be/to be notorious.

to live, to be

10. I would like to visit/visit Kolkata and to see/ see the Howrah Bridge.

to visit, to see

Worksheet 7

The ‘-ing’ Form

1. Read the sentence given below.

The crying baby hugged his mother.

In the above example, the word crying is made from the verb cry by adding -ing. It is, thus, like a verb. However, it is also describing the baby, which is a noun. So ‘crying’ is also acting as an adjective.

1. Here are a few more examples of participles.
2. The sleeping boy was startled by the noise.
3. The unsuspecting travellers were duped by the tricksters.
4. The burning train came to a screeching halt.

Worksheet 8

Read the sentences given below and write P for participles and G for gerunds.

1. Ramit is fond of playing cricket.

G

2. Can you stop complaining?

G

3. The grumbling boss left the office in a huff.

P

4. The screaming kids ran to the street.

P

5. Washing dishes is a tiring chore.

G

6. Smiling people have more friends.

P

7. Overspeeding on road is an offence.

G

8. Smoking is prohibited here.

G

9. The actor started combing her hair.

G

10. Withering leaves often indicate the arrival of winter.

P

Worksheet 9

Write proper sentences using ‘infinitive’ or ‘-ing’ forms. One example has been done for you.

1. Amit/like/play/football.

Amit likes playing football. (Amit likes to play football.)

2. I/want/go/watch/a play/tonight.

I want to go watch a play tonight.

3. I/don’t/like/leave/things/half done.

I don’t like leaving things half done.

4. I/like/visit/my aunt’s place.

I like visiting my aunt’s place.

5. You/must/try/reach/your/school/on time.

You must try to reach your school on time.

6. I/avoid/talk/to/strangers.

I avoid talking to strangers.

7. She/love/cook/pasta.

She loves cooking pasta.

8. I/want/read/the Vedas/someday.

I want to read the Vedas someday.

Worksheet 10

Answer the following questions in ‘infinitive’ and ‘ing’ form. One example has been done for you.

1. What do we use a pen for?

We use a pen for writing.

We use a pen to write with.

2. What do we use a knife for?

We use a knife to cut things.
We use a knife for cutting things.

3. What do we need a lamp for?

We need a lamp to see in the dark.
We need a lamp for seeing in the dark.

4. Why do we need a table cover?

We need a table cover to protect the table.
We need a table cover for protecting the table.

5. What do we need a comb for?

We need a comb to comb our hair.
We need a comb for combing our hair.

Worksheet 11

A. Read the following.

1. I felt like dancing.
2. He missed going to the college.
3. Avoid eating junk food.

If certain verbs are followed by another verb, the second verb generally takes the -ing form. For example,

1. Did he mind coming to the office at this hour?
2. He enjoyed listening to the music.

Given below is a list of a few such verbs.

admit, avoid, deny, dislike, enjoy, finish, go on, imagine, keep on, mind, miss, stop, suggest

B. Fill in the blanks with the ‘-ing’ form of the verbs given in the box below.

take, complain, wear, laugh, help, dine, boast, go, do, drink

1. You can’t deny complaining against me to the teacher.
2. Do you mind helping me in this project?
3. She disliked wearing western outfits.
4. We enjoy dining out.
5. He went on boasting about his acting ability.
6. I couldn’t help laughing at the joke.
7. Imagine going to Mars someday!
8. He kept on doing his work silently.
9. Can’t you stop drinking so many colas?
10. I suggested taking some other route to the destination.

Worksheet 12

A. Read the following.

1. She began working as a junior doctor.

She began to work as a junior doctor.

2. I prefer to walk down to my office.

I prefer walking down to my office.

After certain verbs, we can use either the -ing form or the to infinitive without any difference in their meaning.

Given below is a list of such verbs.

begin, love, prefer, like, continue, hate, start, try, propose, learn, intend, continue

B. Use the following verbs in your own sentences using the ‘-ing’ as well as the ‘to infinitive’ form.

1. love

I love reading short stories.

I love to read short stories.

2. continue

– I will continue studying until I pass.
– I will continue to study until I pass.

3. start

– They started working on the project.
– They started to work on the project.

4. propose

– I propose leaving early.
– I propose to leave early.

5. try

– Try listening carefully.
– Try to listen carefully.

6. intend

– I intend joining the class.
– I intend to join the class.

Worksheet 13

Develop a story using the hints given below. Use as many infinitives, participles or gerunds as you can. Underline the ‘infinitive’ and the ‘-ing’ form wherever used.

Aman/smoking in bed/sleep/suddenly woke up/sheet burning/jumped up/ put the fire out/a big hole in sheet/resolve never to smoke

Aman, while smoking in bed, fell asleep. Suddenly, he woke up and saw the sheet burning. He jumped up and tried to put the fire out. Although he managed to stop the fire, there was a big hole in the sheet. Aman then resolved never to smoke again.

DO IT YOURSELF

The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Underline the wrong word and write the correct word in the space given. The first one has been done for you.

1. Fish is my favourite sport. Fishing

I often fish for hours without

catch anything. Some fishermen,                    catching

instead of catch fish, catch                               catching

old boots and rubbish. I never

get an opportunity for catch                            catching

anything. ‘You must give up catch                   catching

fish, my friends say. But I                                 

am interested only in sit in                               sitting

a boat and do nothing. My                               (correct)

aim is to fooling my friends.                             (correct)

Fish is my favourite sport. → Fishing

2. Complete the following passage by filling the blanks with the correct form of non-finites given in the brackets.

As the evening wore on, I saw the loading of food in the hold of the ship. I was especially thrilled when two helicopters landed on the deck. In the sunlight, the helicopters glowed, which was meant for spotting them easily, when one is at sea. The helicopters are not allowed to stay out in the open for fear of strong winds blowing them off the deck. By evening, many scientists had gathered on the deck. They were chatting and joking with one another. Some of them were tall and hefty. Some were even fit to be in a circus, so funny in appearance. I noticed a bearded man and when I looked at him, he looked the other way and started lighting a cigarette. I thought of asking my uncle about this strange man, but gave up, thinking that it might be just nothing. At the sunset, all the lights of the port were switched on. The sea was beautiful to look at. The anchor was then lifted and the quay began to move in the opposite direction. Some people on the quay raised their hands waving to us. The ship began to sway slowly like a cradle.