Verbals A verbal is a verb form that functions in a sentence as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. A verbal phrase is a verbal plus any complements or modifiers. There are three kinds of verbals: participles, gerunds and infinitives.

Participles A participle is a verb form that can function as an adjective. A present participle is made up of the base form of the verb plus –ing: falling. A past participle is usually made up of the base form plus –ed: burned

Participles Participles are often used as adjectives. No one would eat the burned toast. We were warned to watch out for falling rocks. The fallen tree blocked the winding road.

Participles A participle may also be used as part of the verb phrase. When a participle is part of the verb phrase, it is not acting as an adjective. Participle As Adjective: The growing child was curious. Participle In Verb Phrase: He was growing stronger.

Participles A participle phrase contains a participle and any complements and modifiers. We watched the best teams playing baseball. The badly defeated team accepted its fate. The victors, elated by the victory, shook hands with the losers.

Participles A participle phrase at the beginning of a sentence is usually followed by a comma. Throwing their hats into the air, the fans of the victorious team let out a great roar.

Dangling Participles A participle phrase that does not clearly and sensibly modify a word in the sentence is a dangling participle.

Dangling Participle Wrong: Sleeping during class, the teacher marked me absent. Right: Sleeping during class, I was marked absent by the teacher. Wrong: Walking down the street, Jim’s eyes showed constant surprise. Right: Walking down the street, Jim constantly showed surprise in his eyes.

Dangling Participles Bumping along in the jeep, the moon looked beautiful. Stepping on the brakes, the car skidded to the side of the road. While flying over Vicksburg, the national military park came into view. While trimming the rosebushes, a spider bit me.

Gerunds and Gerund Phrases

Gerund is a Verb form that ends in - ing and is used in the same way that a noun is used. Cooking is an enjoyable activity. (as Subject) My sister likes swimming. ( as D.O.) Tony gives baking his best effort. (as I.O.) How much money have you saved for shopping. (obj. of prep.)

Gerund Phrases contains a gerund plus any complements and modifiers. Reading is Stacey's favorite pastime. Hiking seemed like a good idea at the time.

Infinitives and Infinitive Phrases

An infinitive is a verb form that is usually preceded by the word to and is used as a noun, adjective or an adverb. To stand all day can be uncomfortable. (subject) Infants first learn to creep. (D.O)