Clause Component Worksheet

Clause Component Worksheet

1. Finite Verb

Exercise (i): Find out the verbs in the following sentences and say whether they are Finite or Nonfinite. In case of the nonfinite, say whether they are Infinitives, Participles and Gerunds. In the case of the Gerund, state whether it is subject, object, complement, or used after a preposition. 

  1. I heard her sing. 
  2. Men must work and women must weep. 
  3. He is slow to forgive. 
  4. Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride. 
  5. Full many a flower is born to blush unseen. 
  6. Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast. 
  7. To retreat was difficult; to advance was impossible. 
  8. My desire is to see you again. 
  9. My right there is none to dispute. 
  10. The ability to laugh is peculiar to mankind. 
  11. Better dwell in the midst of alarms. 
  12. To toil is the lot of mankind.
  13. There was nothing for it to fight. 
  14. The order to advance was given. 
  15. He was found fighting desperately for his life. 
  16. He has ruined his sight by reading small print. 
  17. Hearing the noise, he ran to the window. 
  18. Asking questions is easier than answering them. 
  19. Waving their hats and handkerchiefs, the people cheered the king. 
  20. The miser spends his time in hoarding money. 
  21. Amassing wealth often ruins health. 
  22. We spent the afternoon in playing cards. 
  23. Praising all alike is praising none. 
  24. I determined to increase my salary by managing a little farm. 
  25. And fools who came to scoff remained to pray. 
  26. The year was spent in visiting our rich neighbours. 
  27. Singing to herself was her chief delight. 
  28. The mango is fit to eat. 
  29. He preferred playing football to studying his lessons. 
  30. Let us pray. 
  31. I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word. 
  32. I cannot go on doing nothing. Click here to see the answers.

2. Subject & Object

Exercise (ii): Underline the subject in the following sentences: 

  1. The cackling of geese saved Rome. 
  2. The boy stood on the burning deck. 
  3. Tubal Cain was a man of might. 
  4. Stone walls do not make a prison. 
  5. The singing of the birds delights us. 
  6. Miss Kitty was rude at the table one day 
  7. He has a good memory. 
  8. Bad habits grow unconsciously. 
  9. The earth revolves round the sun. 
  10. Nature is the best physician. 
  11. Edison invented the phonograph. 
  12. The sea hath many thousand sands. 
  13. We cannot pump the ocean dry. 
  14. Borrowed garments never fit well. 
  15. The early bird catches the worm. 
  16. All matter is indestructible. 
  17. Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan. 
  18. We should profit by experience. 
  19. All roads lead to Rome. 
  20. A guilty conscience needs no excuse. 
  21. The beautiful rainbow soon faded away. 
  22. No man can serve two masters. 
  23. A sick room should be well aired. 
  24. The dewdrops glitter in the sunshine. 
  25. I shot an arrow into the air. 
  26. A barking sound the shepherd hears. 
  27. On the top of the hill lives a hermit. Click here to see the answer. 

4. Complements 

Exercise (iv): Write whether the Verbs in the following sentences are Transitive [vt] or Intransitive [vi]. Name the Object of each Transitive Verb, and the Complement of each Verb of Incomplete Predication: - 

  1. The hungry lion roars. 
  2. The report proved false. 
  3. The boy stood on the burning deck. 
  4. The child had fallen sick. 
  5. The ass continued braying. 
  6. The wind is cold. 
  7. The results are out. 
  8. He tried again and again. 
  9. We see with our eyes. 
  10. The child fell asleep. 
  11. The weather is hot. 
  12. They are Europeans. 
  13. The rumour seems true. 
  14. Owls hide in the daytime. 
  15. Bad boys hide their faults. 
  16. The poor woman went mad. 
  17. We waited patiently at the station. 
  18. He told a lie. 
  19. They elected him president. 
  20. I found her weeping. 
  21. He struck the man dead. 
  22. The crow flew down and stole the cheese. 
  23. The sky looks threatening. 
  24. They made him general. 
  25. He waited an hour. 
  26. New brooms sweep clean. Click here to see the answer. 

5. Adjuncts

Exercise (v): Find out the objects and the adjuncts in the following sentences.  

  1. He speaks like a born orator. 
  2. It grieved me to hear of your illness. 
  3. Beyond a doubt this man is honest. 
  4. He failed in spite of his best efforts. 
  5. He won the prize by means of trickery. 
  6. Do not talk like that. 
  7. I have forgotten how to play this game. 
  8. He gained their affection in spite of many faults. 
  9. I do not expect such treatment at your hands. 
  10. He speaks too fast to be understood. 
  11. I do not know what to do. 
  12. I do not understand how to solve this problem. 
  13. He persevered amidst many difficulties. 
  14. He succeeded in the long run. 
  15. Birds of a feather flock together. 
  16. This is a matter of no importance. 
  17. The train is behind time. 
  18. He is a man of means. 
  19. It lies near his heart, 
  20. He keeps the necklace under lock and key. 
  21. He is a person of no importance. 
  22. I want to go to the cinema to-day. 
  23. I love to hear the watch-dog's honest bark. 
  24. I did it of my own free will. 
  25. Show me how to do it, 
  26. His car ran over a dog. 
  27. Things are in a bad way. 
  28. She is a woman of wonderful patience. 
  29. I have found the key to his secret. 
  30. The plan has the virtue of committing us to nothing. 
  31. I don't see the point of the story. 
  32. How to find the way to the ruins is the question. 
  33. Tubal Cain was a man of might. 
  34. He did it against his will. 
  35. I have no time to waste on trifles. 
  36. Don't do things by halves. 
  37. I enjoy walking in the fields. Click here to see the answer. 

Sources: 

1. Cambridge Grammar of English by Ronald Carter and Michael McCarthy

2. High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren & Martin

3. Oxford Advanced Learners' Dictionary by AS Hornby


Answer to Exercise (i): Find out the verbs in the following sentences and say whether they are Finite or Nonfinite. In case of the nonfinite, say whether they are Infinitives, Participles and Gerunds. In the case of the Gerund, state whether it is subject, object, complement, or used after a preposition. 


  1. I heard (Finite) her sing (Bare Infinitive). 
  2. Men must work (Finite) and women must weep (Finite). 
  3. He is (Finite) slow to forgive (Infinitive).
  4. Thus to relieve (Infinitive) the wretched was (Finite) his pride. 
  5. Full many a flower is born (Finite) to blush (Infinitive) unseen (Participle). 
  6. Music hath (Finite) charms to soothe (Infinitive) the savage beast. 
  7. To retreat (Infinitive) was (Finite) difficult; to advance (Infinitive) was (Finite) impossible. 
  8. My desire is (Finite) to see (Infinitive) you again. 
  9. My right there is (Finite) none to dispute (Infinitive). 
  10. The ability to laugh (Infinitive) is (Finite) peculiar to mankind. 
  11. Better dwell (Finite) in the midst of alarms. 
  12. To toil (Infinitive) is (Finite) the lot of mankind.
  13. There was (Finite) nothing for it to fight (Infinitive). 
  14. The order to advance (Infinitive) was given (Finite). 
  15. He was found (Finite) fighting (Participle) desperately for his life. 
  16. He has ruined (Finite) his sight by reading (Gerund-Object) small print. 
  17. Hearing (Participle) the noise, he ran (Finite) to the window. 
  18. Asking (Gerund-Subject) questions is (Finite) easier than answering (Gerund-Object) them. 
  19. Waving (Participle) their hats and handkerchiefs, the people cheered (Finite) the king. 
  20. The miser spends (Finite) his time in hoarding (Gerund-Object) money. 
  21. Amassing (Gerund-Subject) wealth often ruins (Finite) health. 
  22. We spent (Finite) the afternoon in playing (Gerund-Object) cards. 
  23. Praising (Gerund-Subject) all alike is (Finite) praising (Gerund-Subject Complement) none. 
  24. I determined (Finite) to increase (Infinitive) my salary by managing (Gerund-Object) a little farm. 
  25. And fools who came (Finite) to scoff remained (Finite) to pray (Infinitive). 
  26. The year was spent (Finite) in visiting (Gerund-Object) our rich neighbours. 
  27. Singing (Gerund-Subject) to herself was (Finite) her chief delight. 
  28. The mango is (Finite) fit to eat (Infinitive). 
  29. He preferred (Finite) playing (Gerund-Object) football to studying (Gerund-Object) his lessons. 
  30. Let (Finite) us pray (Infinitive). 
  31. I thank (Finite) thee, Jew, for teaching (Gerund-Object) me that word. 
  32. I cannot go (Finite) on doing (Gerund-Object) nothing. 


Answer to Exercise (ii): Underline the subject in the following sentences: 

  1. The cackling of geese saved Rome. 
  2. The boy stood on the burning deck. 
  3. Tubal Cain was a man of might. 
  4. Stone walls do not make a prison. 
  5. The singing of the birds delights us. 
  6. Miss Kitty was rude at the table one day 
  7. He has a good memory. 
  8. Bad habits grow unconsciously. 
  9. The earth revolves round the sun. 
  10. Nature is the best physician. 
  11. Edison invented the phonograph. 
  12. The sea hath many thousand sands. 
  13. We cannot pump the ocean dry. 
  14. Borrowed garments never fit well. 
  15. The early bird catches the worm. 
  16. All matter is indestructible. 
  17. Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan. 
  18. We should profit by experience. 
  19. All roads lead to Rome. 
  20. A guilty conscience needs no excuse. 
  21. The beautiful rainbow soon faded away. 
  22. No man can serve two masters. 
  23. A sick room should be well aired. 
  24. The dewdrops glitter in the sunshine. 
  25. I shot an arrow into the air. 
  26. A barking sound the shepherd hears. 
  27. On the top of the hill lives a hermit. 


Exercise (iv): Write whether the Verbs in the following sentences are Transitive or Intransitive, name the Object of each Transitive Verb, and the Complement of each Verb of Incomplete Predication:

  1. The hungry lion roars (Intransitive). 
  2. The report proved false (Subject Complement). 
  3. The boy stood (Intransitive) on the burning deck. 
  4. The child had fallen sick (Subject Complement). 
  5. The ass continued (Transitive) braying (Object). 
  6. The wind is cold (Subject Complement). 
  7. The results are out (Subject Complement). 
  8. He tried (Intransitive) again and again. 
  9. We see (Intransitive) with our eyes. 
  10. The child fell asleep (Subject Complement). 
  11. The weather is hot (Subject Complement). 
  12. They are Europeans (Subject Complement). 
  13. The rumour seems true (Subject Complement). 
  14. Owls hide (Intransitive) in the daytime. 
  15. Bad boys hide (Transitive) their faults (Object). 
  16. The poor woman went mad (Subject Complement). 
  17. We waited (Intransitive) patiently at the station. 
  18. He told (Transitive) a lie (Object). 
  19. They elected him president (Object Complement). 
  20. I found her weeping (Object Complement). 
  21. He struck the man dead (Object Complement). 
  22. The crow flew (Intransitive) down and stole (Transitive) the cheese (Object). 
  23. The sky looks threatening (Subject Complement). 
  24. They made him general (Object Complement). 
  25. He waited (Intransitive) an hour. 
  26. New brooms sweep clean (Complement).


Answer to Exercise (v): Find out the objects and the adjuncts in the following sentences.

  1. He speaks like a born orator (Adjunct). 
  2. It grieved me (Object) to hear of your illness (Object). 
  3. Beyond a doubt (Adjunct) this man is honest. 
  4. He failed in spite of his best efforts (Adjunct). 
  5. He won the prize by means of trickery (Adjunct). 
  6. Do not talk like that (Adjunct). 
  7. I have forgotten how to play this game.  (Object)
  8. He gained their affection in spite of many faults (Adjunct). 
  9. I do not expect such treatment  (Object) at your hands. 
  10. He speaks too fast to be understood (Adjunct). 
  11. I do not know what to do.  (Object)
  12. I do not understand how to solve this problem. (Object) 
  13. He persevered amidst many difficulties (Adjunct). 
  14. He succeeded in the long run (Adjunct). 
  15. Birds of a feather flock together. 
  16. This is a matter of no importance. 
  17. The train is behind time. 
  18. He is a man of means. 
  19. It lies near his heart. 
  20. He keeps the necklace under lock and key (Adjunct). 
  21. He is a person of no importance. 
  22. I want to go to the cinema to-day. (Adjunct) 
  23. I love to hear the watch-dog's honest bark. (Object) 
  24. I did it of my own free will.  (Adjunct)
  25. Show me how to do it. (Object) 
  26. His car ran over a dog. (Object) 
  27. Things are in a bad way. 
  28. She is a woman of wonderful patience. 
  29. I have found the key to his secret.  (Adjunct)
  30. The plan has the virtue of committing us to nothing.  (Adjunct)
  31. I don't see the point of the story. (Object) 
  32. How to find the way to the ruins is the question. 
  33. Tubal Cain was a man of might. 
  34. He did it against his will.  (Adjunct)
  35. I have no time to waste on trifles. (Object) 
  36. Don't do things by halves. (Object)  
  37. I enjoy walking in the fields.  (Adjunct)

Clause Components Quiz for Beginners

Directions: Choose the best answer for each question. Remember, there are no bad answers in language lea