Chapter 3: Verbals

What is a verbal? A form of a verb that performs the function of a noun, adjective, or adverb. Ex. Running is good exercise Running is a gerund, subject of the sentence Ex. Running swiftly, he caught the thief Running is a participle, modifying “he” Ex. The boy is running down the street Running is a sentence verb.

What is a verbal? A verbal can NOT take the place of a sentence verb. Ex. The boy running This is a fragment! Ex. The boy running up the stairs is Charles Running is a participle, modifying boy

What is a verbal? A verbal can NOT take the place of a sentence verb. Ex. To face an audience. This is a fragment! Ex. To face an audience was a great effort for me. To face is an infinitive, subject of the sentence

Types of verbals Gerund Participle Infinitive There are three types of verbals Gerund Participle Infinitive

Types of verbals – 1. Gerund Definition of a Gerund: Verbal used as a noun in present tense ends –ing Be careful not to confuse it with a participle, which is used as an adjective.

Gerund as a subject Because a gerund is a noun, it can be used as a subject Ex. Planning the work carefully required a great deal of time. The gerund is Planning

Gerund as a complement Because a gerund is a noun, it can be used as a complement Ex. I appreciated your taking time to help me The gerund is taking

Gerund as an object of a preposition Because a gerund is a noun, it can be used as an object of a preposition Ex. She was not to blame for breaking the vase The gerund is breaking

Gerund as an appositive Because a gerund is a noun, it can be used as an appositive Ex. His greatest ambition, teaching, became a reality

Advanced Gerunds A. Gerund’s can also take an object, like a verb. Ex. Planning the work carefully required a great deal of time The object of Planning is “the work carefully” Ex. She was not to blame for breaking the vase The object of breaking is “the vase”

Advanced Gerunds B. Always use the possessive form of a noun or pronoun before a gerund. - Ex. Mr Bridges was surprised at Doug’s offering him the motorboat.

Types of verbals – 2. Participle Definition of a Participle: Verbal used as an adjective in present tense ends –ing In past tense ends in –ed, -d, -t, -n, or may have a vowel change sing -> sung

Participle Examples Ex. The broken doll can be mended The participle is broken Ex. An old coat, faded and torn, was her only possession - The participles are faded and torn

Types of verbals – 3. Infinitive Definition of an infinitive: It is the simplest form of the verb and the word to

Uses of infinitive verbals It can be used as a noun Ex. To err is human To err is the infinitive, subject Adjective Ex. He had a few books to read To read is the adjective, modifying books

Uses of infinitive verbals Or as an adverb. Ex. Frank seemed eager to go To go is the adverb modifying eager. HINT: If you can use the phrase “in order” before it, it is usually an adverb Ex. Katy paid ten dollars (in order) to get good seats.

Advanced Uses of infinitive verbals What about? Susan helped carry the packages. To is omitted because it is understood as “Susan helped to carry the packages.” It is a noun, direct object of helped