TSA CBT Practice Test

What is the term for a verb form that expresses action or existence without reference to person, number, or tense?

1. Gerund

2. Infinitive

3. Participle

4. Noun

The correct answer is: Infinitive

The correct term for a verb form that expresses action or existence without reference to person, number, or tense is indeed the infinitive. An infinitive typically takes the form "to" followed by the base form of the verb (e.g., to run, to eat). This form is versatile and can function in various ways within a sentence, such as a noun, adjective, or adverb. Infinitives do not convey specific subjects or time frames, setting them apart from other verb forms. In contrast, gerunds, which are verb forms ending in "-ing," function as nouns but retain a sense of ongoing action tied to specific subjects. Participles serve as adjectives or can form verb tenses, linking them to specific subjects and time. The noun, while related to the identity of a subject or object, is a completely different grammatical category and typically does not indicate action or existence by itself.