In which of the following sentences is the word ‘fine’ used as a verb?

The correct answer is Option (3) → The school librarian fines every student who returns a book late.

“Fine” used as a verb:

• A verb shows an action. As a verb, “fine” means to make someone pay money as a punishment.
• Here “fines” tells what the librarian does. It has a subject, “the school librarian”, and an object, “every student”. So it is a verb.

Why the Other Options are Incorrect?

Option 1: Ravi paid a fine of fifty rupees for the late library book. — Incorrect. “A fine” names a thing, the money Ravi paid. Here “fine” is a noun.

Option 2: The weather was fine, so we went to the lake for a picnic. — Incorrect. “Fine” comes after “was” and tells us what the weather was like. Here it is an adjective meaning pleasant.

Option 4: Dadi sifts the wheat flour through a fine sieve. — Incorrect. “Fine” stands before “sieve” and describes it (a sieve with very small holes). Here it is an adjective.