Question

Identify the sentence containing a non-finite verb:
1. Smoking is injurious to health and causes cancer.
2. The mangled pair of sunglasses were kept on the table.

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. Both 1 and 2
• D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Both 1 and 2

Non-finite verbs are those verb that do not show tense. They do not occur as main verbs of a sentence or clause. In fact, non-finite verbs are used to perform the functions of other forms of words like adjectives, nouns or adverbs. Examples include infinitives, gerunds and participles.

Option C is correct. In sentence 1, "smoking" is a gerund and thus, is a non-finite verb. Gerunds are those non-finite verbs which are actually modifications of the verb as a noun. "Smoking" is a gerund - a modified verb that is functions as a noun. In sentence 2, "mangled" is a past participle. Participles are those non-finite verbs which are modifications of the verb in such a way that they become adjectives, that is, they describe another noun in the given sentence. Thus "mangled" is a past participle used as an adjective to describe the pair of sunglasses. It is a non-finite verb.

Options A and B are incorrect as both sentences contain a non-finite verb. Not just one.

Option D is incorrect as the answer lies in C.