Understanding Finite Verbs
* What they are: Finite verbs are verbs that have a tense (past, present, future) and a subject. They show the time of the action or state of being.
* What they do: They tell us who is doing what and when.
* Key Characteristics:
* Conjugated: They change form based on tense, person, and number (e.g., "walk", "walks", "walked").
* Agreement with Subject: They must agree with the subject in number (singular or plural).
How to Identify Finite Verbs
1. Find the Subject: Identify the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is in the state of being.
2. Look for Conjugated Verbs: Search for verbs that change form depending on the subject and tense.
3. Check for Tense: Determine the tense (past, present, future) of the verb.
4. Confirm Agreement: Ensure the verb agrees in number with the subject.
Examples:
* "The dog barked loudly."
* Subject: "The dog"
* Finite Verb: "barked" (past tense, agrees with "dog")
* "She is running a marathon."
* Subject: "She"
* Finite Verb: "is running" (present continuous tense, agrees with "she")
Important Notes:
* Non-Finite Verbs: Non-finite verbs (infinitives, participles, gerunds) don't show tense or agreement. Examples: "to run", "running", "run"
* Compound Verbs: Sentences can have multiple finite verbs. For example: "She is reading a book."
Let's Practice:
Can you identify the finite verbs in these sentences?
1. The children laughed happily.
2. He will eat breakfast soon.
3. They are playing in the park.
Let me know if you'd like more examples or want to practice further!