Verbals: Gerunds, Participles, and Infinitives

Front

What is a gerund?

Back

A gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing and functions as a noun in a sentence. Example: 'Swimming is fun.'

Front

What is a participle?

Back

A participle is a verb form that can function as an adjective. It usually ends in -ing (present participle) or -ed (past participle). Example: 'The broken window needs repair.'

Front

What is an infinitive?

Back

An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by 'to'. Example: 'To run is my goal.'

Front

Identify the gerund in this sentence: 'Reading books is enjoyable.'

Back

The gerund is 'Reading.'

Front

Identify the participle in this sentence: 'The barking dog kept me awake.'

Back

The participle is 'barking.'

Front

Identify the infinitive in this sentence: 'She wants to learn Spanish.'

Back

The infinitive is 'to learn.'

Front

What is the function of a gerund in a sentence?

Back

A gerund functions as a noun, which can be a subject, object, or complement. Example: 'Jogging is healthy.' (subject)

Front

What is the function of a participle in a sentence?

Back

A participle functions as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun. Example: 'The running water is cold.'

Front

What is the function of an infinitive in a sentence?

Back

An infinitive can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb. Example: 'I have a book to read.' (adjective)

Front

What is a misplaced participial phrase?

Back

A misplaced participial phrase is a phrase that is incorrectly positioned in a sentence, leading to confusion about what it modifies. Example: 'Running late, the car was not ready.' (It sounds like the car is running late.)