Question

Match the following List-I (verb forms) with List-II (non-finites):

Codes:

• A. a - iv, b - ii, c - iii, d - i
• B. a - iv, b - i, c - ii, d - iii
• C. a - ii, b - iii, c - i, d - iv
• D. a - ii, b - i, c - iii, d - iv

Hint:

A quick way to distinguish a Gerund from a Present Participle is to identify its grammatical role. If the -ing form behaves like a noun, it is a Gerund. If it describes a noun or helps form a continuous tense, it is a Present Participle.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Non-finite verbs are verb forms that do not express tense, person, or number independently. Unlike finite verbs, they do not function as the principal verb of a sentence. Instead, they perform different grammatical functions such as acting as nouns, adjectives, or parts of verb phrases. The major categories of non-finites include infinitives, gerunds, present participles, past participles, and perfect participles. To correctly match the items, we must carefully examine both the structural form and the grammatical function of each non-finite verb.

Step 1: Identify the function of the Present Participle. A present participle is formed by adding the suffix -ing to the base form of a verb. Examples:
• Running water
• A crying child
• She is singing. The present participle performs two important functions:
• It helps form continuous tenses.
• It can function adjectivally by describing a noun. Looking at List-II, statement (ii) says: “Verb form ending in -ing used as an adjective or for continuous tense.” This exactly describes a present participle. Therefore, \[ (a) \rightarrow (ii) \]

Step 2: Identify the function of the Infinitive. An infinitive represents the base form of a verb. It is generally preceded by the word “to”. Examples:
• to read
• to write
• to learn
• to speak The infinitive is considered the most basic verbal form and may function as a noun, adjective, or adverb depending upon context. In List-II, statement (iii) reads: “Base form of a verb often preceded by ‘to'.” This is the precise definition of an infinitive. Hence, \[ (b) \rightarrow (iii) \]

Step 3: Identify the function of the Gerund. A gerund also ends in -ing, but unlike a present participle, it functions entirely as a noun. Examples:
• Swimming is good exercise.
• Reading improves knowledge.
• He enjoys painting. In each sentence, the -ing word behaves like a noun rather than an adjective. List-II statement (i) says: “Verb form used as a noun without ‘to'.” Since a gerund is a noun form derived from a verb, this description matches perfectly. Therefore, \[ (c) \rightarrow (i) \]

Step 4: Identify the function of the Perfect Participle. A perfect participle is formed by using: \[ \text{Having} + \text{Past Participle} \] Examples:
• Having completed the work, he went home.
• Having finished the examination, she relaxed.
• Having studied hard, the student performed well. This structure indicates that one action was completed before another action occurred. In List-II, statement (iv) states: “Having + past participle showing completed action before another action.” This is the exact definition of a perfect participle. Hence, \[ (d) \rightarrow (iv) \]

Step 5: Form the final matching sequence. Combining all the correct matches: {lcl} (a) Present participle & $\rightarrow$ & (ii)
(b) Infinitive & $\rightarrow$ & (iii)
(c) Gerund & $\rightarrow$ & (i)
(d) Perfect participle & $\rightarrow$ & (iv)
Thus, the complete matching arrangement is \[ a - ii,\; b - iii,\; c - i,\; d - iv \] This corresponds to Option (C).