Because sometimes a verb is something more Verbals Because sometimes a verb is something more

What is a Verbal? A verbal is a word formed from a verb but acts as a different part of speech There are three main types of verbals Gerunds Participles Infinitives

Gerunds

Gerunds Gerunds are verbs that end in –ing and act as nouns Examples of gerunds climbing running jogging

Example Sentences with gerunds I like to go shopping at the mall. Reading is important. I love to go fishing in the summer.

Participles

Participles A participle is a verb that acts as an adjective There are two types: Present Participle Past participle

The Present Participle The present always ends in –ing and acts as an adjective Can be presented with and without the verb to be Examples The scurrying hamster was quickly lost. (modifies hamster) Jake’s essay, written in a hurry, got him a poor grade. (modifies essay)

The Past Participle The Past participle usually ends in –ed or –en and acts as an adjective Examples: The window was cracked by the baseball. The forgotten teacher taught verbals to her students.

Infinitives

Infinitives AN infinitive is a verbal formed by placing the word to in front of the basic verb Examples: to think, to read, to be Infinitives may act as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns

Adjectival Infinitives adjectival infinitives always describe a noun adjectival infinitives always follow the noun it describes Examples: Now is the perfect time to start Jimmy is the perfect person to give a speech to the United Nations.

Adjectival Infinitives adjectival infinitives always describe a noun adjectival infinitives always follow the noun it describes Examples: Now is the perfect time to start Jimmy is the perfect person to give a speech to the United Nations.

Adverbial infinitives Adverbial infinitives always describe verbs Adverbial infinitives can appear at the beginning or end of the sentence Examples: To win, you need to score more points. Patrice studied really hard to pass the test.

Adverbial Infinitives Adverbial infinitives always describe verbs Adverbial infinitives can appear at the beginning or end of the sentence Examples: To win, you need to score more points. Patrice studied really hard to pass the test.

Pro tip! You can always identify an adverbial infinitive by inserting the test words in order in front of the infinitive.  If the words in order make sense, the infinitive is adverbial. (In order) To win, you need to score more points.

Nominal (Noun) Infinitives Nominal infinitives act as nouns Example: To hit .300 this season would be an accomplishment.

Verbals Participles Past Present Verb = -ed Verb + -ing Gerunds Verbs that act as another part of speech Participles Past Present Verb = -ed Verb + -ing Gerunds Adjective Noun The Princess, kicking and exhausted, was kidnapped by Bowser. This happened while Mario was out of the building. Infinitives Noun, Adjective, or Adverb To +verb Now is the perfect time to start. (Adj.)   Patrice studied really hard to pass the test. (Adv.) (ADV>) To hit .300 this season would be an accomplishment. (Noun)