Verbals and Verbal Phrases

What is a Verbal A verbal is a verb that acts as a noun, adjective, or adverb. A verbal is a verb that acts as a noun, adjective, or adverb. The three kinds of verbals are: gerunds, participles, and infinitives. The three kinds of verbals are: gerunds, participles, and infinitives.

Gerund A gerund is a verb acting as a noun. A gerund is a verb acting as a noun. To form a gerund add “ing” to the end of a verb. To form a gerund add “ing” to the end of a verb. A gerund can be a subject, P.N., D.O., I.O., or O.P. A gerund can be a subject, P.N., D.O., I.O., or O.P. Ex. Learning is fun. Ex. Learning is fun. The gerund is “learning”. I can easily replace it with a different noun, such a Ms. Berger. *Ms. Berger is fun. The gerund is “learning”. I can easily replace it with a different noun, such a Ms. Berger. *Ms. Berger is fun.

Gerund Phrase A gerund phrase is a gerund plus all of its modifiers (adjective, prepositional phrases, etc.). A gerund phrase is a gerund plus all of its modifiers (adjective, prepositional phrases, etc.). Learning about English is fun. Learning about English is fun. The gerund phrase is “learning about English”. The gerund phrase is “learning about English”.

Participles A participle is a verb that acts like an adjective. A participle is a verb that acts like an adjective. A participle can end with an “ed” (past participle) or an “ing” (present participle). A participle can end with an “ed” (past participle) or an “ing” (present participle). Participles can be plain old adjectives and predicate adjectives. Participles can be plain old adjectives and predicate adjectives. Thinking students make me happy. Thinking students make me happy. The participle is “thinking”. It describes the students. I can easily replace it with a different adjective such as courteous. *Courteous students make me happy. The participle is “thinking”. It describes the students. I can easily replace it with a different adjective such as courteous. *Courteous students make me happy.

Participial Phrases Participial phrases are participles and all modifiers and complements. Participial phrases are participles and all modifiers and complements. Ex. I saw students thinking about English. Ex. I saw students thinking about English. The participial phrase is “thinking about English”. The participial phrase is “thinking about English”.

Infinitive An infinitive is a verb that begins with “to” and is acting as a noun, adjective, or adverb. An infinitive is a verb that begins with “to” and is acting as a noun, adjective, or adverb. Ex. I love to eat. Ex. I love to eat. The infinitive is “to eat”. It answers the question “What do I like to do?” Therefore, it is a direct object. The infinitive is “to eat”. It answers the question “What do I like to do?” Therefore, it is a direct object.

Infinitive Phrase An infinitive phrase is an infinitive and all of its modifiers and complements. An infinitive phrase is an infinitive and all of its modifiers and complements. Ex. I love to eat ice cream. Ex. I love to eat ice cream. The infinitive phrase is “to eat ice cream”. The four words together function as the direct object of the sentence. The infinitive phrase is “to eat ice cream”. The four words together function as the direct object of the sentence.

More Infinitive Phrases Ex. We are here to learn English. Ex. We are here to learn English. The infinitive phrase is “to learn English”. It answers the question “Why am I here?” Therefore, it is an adverb infinitive phrase. The infinitive phrase is “to learn English”. It answers the question “Why am I here?” Therefore, it is an adverb infinitive phrase. Ex. I teach English to 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grade students. Ex. I teach English to 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grade students. The infinitive phrase is “to 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grade students.” It is an adjective infinitive phrase because it tells what kind of English class I teach. The infinitive phrase is “to 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grade students.” It is an adjective infinitive phrase because it tells what kind of English class I teach.