Verbals Practice 1

Identify the verbal in the following sentence: "Swimming is a great way to stay fit."

• Swimming

• is

• great

• way

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'Swimming' functions as a gerund, which is a type of verbal that acts as a noun. It represents the activity of swimming, making it the correct choice as the verbal in this context.

Which of the following sentences contains a gerund?

• The running water was cold.

• Running is my favorite hobby.

• The cat was running fast.

• She was running late.

Answer explanation

The sentence 'Running is my favorite hobby.' contains a gerund, which is the verb 'running' used as a noun. In contrast, the other sentences use 'running' as a verb or adjective.

In the sentence "The crying baby was hungry," what is the function of the verbal "crying"?

• Noun

• Adjective

• Verb

• Adverb

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'crying' describes the baby, indicating its state. Therefore, it functions as an adjective, modifying the noun 'baby'. This makes 'Adjective' the correct choice.

Differentiate between the gerund and the participle in the following sentence: "Walking is good exercise, but the walking man looked tired."

• Walking (gerund), walking (participle)

• Walking (participle), walking (gerund)

• Walking (gerund), man (participle)

• Man (gerund), walking (participle)

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'Walking' as a gerund functions as a noun (subject), while 'walking' in 'the walking man' acts as a participle, describing the noun 'man'. Thus, the correct differentiation is: Walking (gerund), walking (participle).

Identify the verbal in the sentence: "To read is to travel without moving an inch."

• To read

• is

• travel

• moving

Answer explanation

The verbal in the sentence is "To read". It functions as a noun, representing the action of reading, while the other options are not verbals. "Is" is a linking verb, "travel" is a main verb, and "moving" is a present participle.

Which of the following sentences contains a participle?

• Reading is fun.

• The broken vase was on the floor.

• To read is to learn.

• Reading helps improve vocabulary.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The broken vase was on the floor.' because 'broken' is a participle describing the vase. The other sentences do not contain participles; they use gerunds or infinitives instead.

Analyze the function of the verbal in the sentence: "Her favorite hobby is painting."

• Subject

• Predicate

• Object

• Subject complement

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'painting' functions as a subject complement, providing more information about the subject 'hobby.' It describes what the subject is, thus completing the meaning of the linking verb 'is.'

Create a sentence using a gerund.

• I enjoy swimming in the ocean.

• The swimming pool is closed.

• She was swimming quickly.

• To swim is refreshing.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'I enjoy swimming in the ocean,' uses a gerund ('swimming') as a noun, indicating an activity that the subject enjoys. The other options do not use gerunds in the same way.

Identify the verbal in the sentence: "The baked cookies smelled delicious."

• baked

• cookies

• smelled

• delicious

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'baked' functions as a verbal because it describes the cookies and acts as an adjective. It is a past participle used to modify the noun 'cookies', making it the correct choice.

Which of the following sentences contains an infinitive?

• The barking dog was loud.

• To dance is to live.

• The dancer was graceful.

• Dancing is fun.

Answer explanation

The sentence 'To dance is to live.' contains the infinitive 'to dance.' An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by 'to,' which is present in this choice.