Verbals August 31, 2015

What is a verbal? A verbal is a verb that is being used as another part of speech, rather than as a verb.

What is a verbal? Examples: -Running seems tiresome at first. -The frightened cat scratched my eye. -Sometimes I like to swing at the park. Gerund Participle Infinitive

Definition: A gerund is a verb that acts as a noun Definition: A gerund is a verb that acts as a noun. They always end in –ing. Gerunds Examples: Running is great exercise. Most people enjoy eating. Sentences: My son loves playing with his toy dinosaur The doctor gave studying all of his attention

Functions of Gerunds Gerund as a Subject: -Traveling might satisfy your desire for new experiences.

Functions of Gerunds Gerund as a Direct Object: -They do not appreciate my singing.

Functions of Gerunds Gerund as a Subject Complement: -My cat’s favorite activity is sleeping.

Functions of Gerunds Gerund as an Object of a Preposition: -The police arrested him for speeding.

Gerund phrases A gerund phrase will begin with a gerund, an ing word, and will include other modifiers and/or objects. Gerund phrases always function as nouns, so they will be subjects, subject complements, or objects in the sentence.

Gerund phrases - Subject Finding a needle in a haystack would be easier than what we’re trying to do.

Gerund phrases – Direct Object I hope that you appreciate my offering you this opportunity.

Gerund phrases – Subject Complement Newt’s favorite tactic has been lying to his constituents.

Gerund phrases – Object of the Preposition You might get in trouble for faking an illness to avoid work.

The crying woman left the movie theater. Definition: A participle is a verb that acts as an adjective. -Present participles end in –ing -Past participles end on –ed or -en Participles Examples: The crying woman left the movie theater. The frustrated child ran away from home. Sentences: The tormented child dreamt of monsters. Screaming adults tend to be very impatient.

Participial Phrase A participial phrase is a group of words consisting of a participle and the modifiers that function as the adjective of a sentence.

Participial phrases Removing his coat, Jack rushed to the river. Children introduced to music early develop strong intellectual skills

I like to debate. (Present) Definition: An infinitive is “to + a verb” -Present infinitives are only “to + a verb” -Perfect infinitives are “to have/have been + past tense of a verb” Infinitives Examples: I like to debate. (Present) I would have liked to read the paper. (Perfect) Sentences: It is wrong to play with matches. It would have been enough to have been mentioned.

Infinitive Phrases An infinitive phrase will begin with an infinitive and include objects and/or modifiers.

Infinitive Phrases – Direct Objects We intended to leave early. Phil agreed to give me a ride. They asked me to bring some food.

Infinitive Phrases - Adjectives I have a paper to write before class.

Split Infinitives Split infinitives occur when additional words are included between to and the verb. Avoid these in formal writing.

Split infinitives I like to on a nice day walk in the woods. I need to quickly gather my personal possessions.