Distinguishing Finite Verbs from
Verbals
1. The Battle {of the Nile} was a great battle (PN) fought {at sea} {between the British and French} {in the year 1798 [#1] }. | "A battle fought at sea" fails the sentence test, so "fought" is not a finite verb. [It is a gerundive that modifies "battle."]2. My father told me to remain here, and not to stir [Adv. to "to remain" and to the "not" that modifies "to stir" unless he called me (DO)]. | "Me to remain here" and "me not to stir" fail both the "to" and the sentence tests. Thus they are not finite verbs. [They are infinitives; their subject is "me"; and they function as the direct objects of "told."]3. “But,” [ [#2] cried the sailors {in amazement}], “your father lies mortally wounded {on deck}, | and the ship will soon blow up.” | "Wounded" can be explained as part of a passive verb phrase in a palimpsest pattern with "lies" written over "is." (See KISS Level 2.1.4 - Palimpsest Patterns.) Alternatively, it can be seen as a gerundive that modifies "father."4. A few minutes [NuA] later the figure {of Casabianca} was seen (P) {in the glare} {of the flames}, leaning {over the prostrate figure} {of his father}. | "Figure leaning over the prostrate figure" does not pass the sentence test and thus "leaning" not a finite verb. [It is a gerundive that modifies "figure."]5. Soon after, a terrible explosion shook every ship (DO) {in the bay}, [Adv. to "shook" while burning fragments {of L’Orient} were hurled (P) {in the air}, falling heavily {to the water} {in all directions}]. | "Fragments falling heavily" does not pass the sentence test. Thus "falling" is not a finite verb. [It is a gerundive that modifies "fragments."] Notes 2. Unlike traditional grammars, KISS explains this clause as an interjection. (See KISS Level 3.2.3 - Interjection? Or Direct Object?) |