Verbals

Verbals

​A verbal is a word that is formed from a verb, but doesn't act as a verb.

• ​It functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

• ​There are three types of verbals:

  1. ​Gerunds

  2. ​Participles

  3. ​Infinitives

​A gerund is a verbal ending in -ing that functions as a noun.

• ​Ex. He loves running.

• ​The verb in the sentence is "loves." "Running" is the verbal (gerund) and it functions as a noun (direct object). You could replace it with another noun and the sentence would still make grammatical sense. (Ex. He loves dogs.)

• ​Ex. Skiing is her favorite sport.

• ​All gerunds end in -ing. However, not all words ending in -ing are automatically gerunds.

​A participle is a verbal that functions as an adjective.

• ​There are two types of participles:

  ​1. Present Participles --> end in -ing

  • Ex. The crying baby belongs to her.

• ​2. Past Participles- --> end in -ed, -en, -d, -t, -n

  • ​Ex. The broken window was fixed.

    ​Ex. We ate the cooked meal.

• ​Sometimes participles begin participle phrases, which also describe nouns.

  • ​Ex. Sitting in the front row, the girl listened carefully.

• ​Remember, participles can also be verbs when used with a helping verb.

  • ​Ex. I am singing.

​An infinitive is a verbal that can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

• The infinitive is formed by placing the word "to"​ in front of the present simple form of the verb.

  • ​Ex. She loves to bake. (functioning as a noun)

  • ​Ex. Bring a book to read in class. (functioning as an adjective describing book).

  • ​Ex. He went to ask the teacher. (functioning as an adverb describing why he went).

Determine whether the underlined verbal is a gerund​, a participle, or an infinitive.

Multiple Choice

She explained the exciting plan to everyone.

• gerund

• participle

• infinitive

Multiple Choice

They decided that they would like to meet.

• gerund

• participle

• infinitive

Multiple Choice

I felt nauseous from her terrible driving.

• gerund

• participle

• infinitive

Multiple Choice

My mother told me to follow my heart.

• gerund

• participle

• infinitive

Multiple Choice

The concerned doctor sent her patient to the hospital.

• gerund

• participle

• infinitive

Identify the verbal in each sentence.​

​

Multiple Choice

The sound of singing reached our ears.

• sound

• singing

• reached

• ears

Multiple Choice

It is important to practice every day.

• is

• important

• is important

• to practice

Multiple Choice

The boys, excited and full of energy, ran around the block.

• excited

• energy

• ran

• around

Multiple Choice

Studying will help improve your grades.

• studying

• will

• help

• improve

Multiple Choice

I need a new dress to wear to the ball.

• need

• dress

• to wear

• to the ball