Finite Verb or Verbal? - The
Sentence Test
Remember that the objective of this exercise is that the students underline the finite verbs and simply do not underline the verbals. The distinctions among verbals are the focus of KISS Level 4. 1. He walked up and down, softly repeating their names {to himself}. | "He repeating their names to himself" fails the sentence test, so "repeating" is not a finite verb. (It is a gerundive that modifies "He," and "names" is the direct object of "repeating.")2. Sydney Carton paused {in the street}, not quite decided where to go. | "Sydney Carton paused not quite decided where to go" fails the sentence test. (If it were a compound finite verb, "decided" would be preceded by "and.") Thus "decided" is not a finite verb. (It is a gerundive that modifies "Sydney Carton.") "To go" fails the "to test." It is an infinitive that functions as an adjective to the (pro)noun "where." "Where" functions as the direct object of "decided."3. He was stayed (P) {by the Doctor's putting out his hand} to stop him. | "The Doctor's putting out his hand" fails the sentence test, so "putting" is not a finite verb. (It is a gerund that functions as the object of the preposition "by." "Doctor's" is the subject of the gerund, and "hand" is its direct object.) "To stop" fails the "to" test. (It is an infinitive that functions as an adverb of purpose to "putting.") "Him" is the direct object of "to stop."4. Carton stooped to pick up the coat, [Adj. to "coat" which lay almost entangling his feet]. | At this point in their work, there is no problem with students underlining "stooped to pick up" as the finite verb phrase. Doing so does not add an S/V/C pattern. In KISS Level 4, students will learn to distinguish "to pick up" as an infinitive phrase that functions as an adverb of purpose. "Coat" is the direct object of "pick up."5. "Judged!" (DO) repeated the farrier, swinging his hammer. | "The farrier swinging his hammer" fails the sentence test, so "swinging" is not a finite verb. (It is a gerundive that modifies "farrier," and "hammer" is the direct object of "swinging.") At this point in their work, most students will realize that "Judged" is the direct object of "repeated." It means that someone or something was judged.6. {In this state} they set forth {with the sharp rain driving} {in their faces}. | "The sharp rain driving in their faces" fails the sentence test, so "driving" is not a finite verb. (It is a gerundive that modifies "rain." In KISS Level 5.8, some people will prefer to see "rain driving" as a noun absolute that functions as the object of the preposition "with.")7. He often got up next morning [NuA] to find the same boots covered {with clay). | "To find" fails the "to test." (It is an infinitive that functions as an adverb of result to "got up.") "Boots" is the direct object of the infinitive. "The same books covered with clay" fails the sentence test, so "covered" is not a finite verb. (It is a gerundive that modifies "boots." At KISS Level 5.8, some people will prefer to see "boots covered" as a noun absolute that functions as the direct object of "to find."8. Mr. Lorry followed Sydney (DO) {to the outer door}, and, touching him {on the shoulder} [Adv. (time) to "touching" as he was going away], caused him to turn. | "Mr. Lorry touching him on the shoulder" fails the sentence test. ("Him" is the direct object of the gerundive "touching," and the gerundive phrase functions as an adjective to "Mr. Lorry."9. I describe everything (DO) exactly [Adv. (manner) to "describe" as it took place (DO)], constraining my mind not to wander {from the task}. | "I constraining my mind" fails the sentence test. ("Mind" is part of the direct object of the gerundive "constraining," and the gerundive phrase functions as an adjective to "I." Alternatively, "constraining" can be explained a a gerund that functions as a Noun Used as an Adverb to "exactly."10. {On this occasion}, Miss Pross, responding {to Ladybird's pleasant face and pleasant efforts} to please her, unbent exceedingly; | so the dinner was very pleasant (PA), too. | "Miss Pross responding" fails the sentence test, so "responding" is not a finite verb. (It is a gerundive that modifies "Miss Pross." |