Lecture 6: Forms of Finite Verbs — Exam Strategies

6.1 Basic Information

Core:

1. Every finite verb phrase is marked for tense and may also express modality, voice, negation, or emphasis;
2. Even when a finite verb phrase contains several words, the whole phrase is one predicate;

6.1.1 Strategy 1: Catch the finite verb

Core: Grasping the finite verb means capturing the most essential expressive action or content of the sentence;

Examples

• …national spending on social sciences and the humanities as a percentage of all research and development funds….. varied from around 4% to 25%…
• Core finite verb: varied, meaning “differed” or “ranged”;

6.1.2 Strategy 2: Locate the finite verb and find the complex subject

Core: By locating finite verbs, find complex and varied subjects;

• In an article, sometimes the subject can be very long. In this case, you just need to find the finite verb first to easily locate the subject;

Examples

• …national spending on social sciences and the humanities as a percentage of all research and development funds….. varied from around 4% to 25%…
• Subject: The underlined parts are all subjects;

6.1.3 Strategy 3: Judge the number of events by the number of finite verbs

Core: By the number of finite verbs, determine how many things are contained in a complex sentence;

• Separate the events expressed in a complex sentence: identify each finite verb, then divide the sentence into the corresponding clauses or segments;
• Finite verb: tense, modality, voice, and negation;

Examples

• The same dramatic technological changes that have provided marketers with more (and more diverse) communications choices have also increased the risk that passionate consumers will voice their opinions in quicker, more visible, and much more damaging ways.
• Three finite verbs;