Question

Find the non-finite verb from the sentence.
I started screaming with fear that day.
A. Screaming
B. Started
C. Fear
D. That

Answer 1

Hint: A verb which is limited by the number of nouns doing that verb is called that non-finite verb, a verb which does not limit the number of nouns doing a verb is called an infinite verb.
Example: I am playing. (Non-finite verb – as they do not provide us with the quantity of people playing.)

Complete step by step solution:
A. Screaming: An act of shouting out loud, states that a single person is doing this activity to warn, threaten, or grab attention.
Example: Her screaming caught the watchman’s attention.

B. Started: Refers to activity being commenced by a subject/ s.
Example: The event started in delay as the chief guest was late.

C. Fear: A feeling of fright and horror due to some event, circumstances, or someone.
Example: Seeing the bear he froze in fear.

D. That: A word which points at the timeline of the occurrence of the event.
Example: He was sick that day.

The correct option is ‘a – screaming’. The verb tells us that it is in participle form and is an non-finite verb.

Note: The activity is done with a single person. The act of shouting/ screaming in the sentence is done by the person ‘I’ and hence the count of nouns is limited, making screaming and non-finite verbs.