Chapter 7: Verbals 7th Grade Language Arts

Lesson 1: Gerunds A verbal is a word that is formed from a verb and that acts as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. There are three kinds of verbals: gerunds, participles, and infinitives.

A gerund is a verbal that ends in –ing and acts as a noun. Gerunds A gerund is a verbal that ends in –ing and acts as a noun. A gerund phrase consists of the gerund with its modifiers and complements.

gerunds Gerunds may be used as subjects, predicate nouns, direct objects, indirect objects, or objects of prepositions.  

The loud barking of the dogs woke up our neighbor. gerunds The loud barking of the dogs woke up our neighbor. Gerund______________ Use_____________

They are experts at controlling sheep and cows. Gerund____________ gerunds They are experts at controlling sheep and cows. Gerund____________ Use_____________

These dogs like working. Gerund____________ Use_____________ gerunds These dogs like working. Gerund____________ Use_____________

Herding is something that border collies do well. Gerund__________ gerunds Herding is something that border collies do well. Gerund__________ Use_____________

They give herding their full attention Gerund___________ gerunds They give herding their full attention Gerund___________ Use______________

It is their running that directs other animals. Gerund____________ gerunds It is their running that directs other animals. Gerund____________ Use_____________

gerunds Gerunds are good words for describing activities because they imply action.

A participle is a verb form that acts as an adjective. Lesson 2: Participles A participle is a verb form that acts as an adjective. A participial phrase consists of a participle along with its modifiers and complements.

participles Like all adjectives, participles and participial phrases can modify nouns and pronouns.

A tired hiker woke a sleeping bear. Participle 1: ________________ participles A tired hiker woke a sleeping bear. Participle 1: ________________ Word it modifies: ________________ Participle 2: ________________

Present participles always end in –ing. Growling, the bear rose from his slumber. Participle: __________ Word it modifies: __________  

Past participles of regular verbs end in – ed. The terrified traveler wanted to run. Participle: __________ Word it modifies: __________  

Irregular past participles Past participles of irregular verbs are formed in a variety of ways. Frozen by fear, he was grateful that the bear only licked him. Participle: __________ Word it modifies: __________  

Words that end in -INg Words that end in –ing can be confusing because they can be a gerund, a participle, or part of a verb phrase. Here is how you can tell.

Gerunds can be replaced by another noun. Words that end in -ing Gerunds can be replaced by another noun. We were annoyed by the moth’s fluttering. Gerund ___________ Replacement __________

Participles can be replaced by another adjective. Words that end in -ing Participles can be replaced by another adjective. The moth’s fluttering wings were white. Participle:________________ Replacement: ________________

Present participles and helping verbs Present participles of a verb will always be preceded by a helping verb. The moth was fluttering in the breeze. Verb _____________ Helping verb________

Lesson 3: Infinitives An infinitive is a verb form that usually begins with the word to and acts as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive along with its modifiers and complements.

Sam has always wanted to work on his own farm. infinitives Sam has always wanted to work on his own farm. Infinitive:________________ Role:_______________

To run his farm takes Sam’s full energy. Infinitive:________________ infinitives To run his farm takes Sam’s full energy. Infinitive:________________ Role:_______________

They can be creatures to fear. Infinitive:________________ infinitives They can be creatures to fear. Infinitive:________________ Role:_______________

However, the bulls calm down to receive food. infinitives However, the bulls calm down to receive food. Infinitive:________________ Role:_______________

Infinitive Cheat sheet (Add to notes) If the infinitive is a NOUN, it can be the S, DO, or PN. If it’s a DO, it will FOLLOW THE VERB and answer the question, “What?” If the Infinitive is an adjective, it will follow a noun (anywhere in the sentence) and tell which one, what kind or how many. If the infinitive is an adverb, it will be after the verb (usually) and answer how or why. If the infinitive is at the beginning of the sentence and is FOLLOWED BY A COMMA, it is an adverb and modifies the verb. If it is at the beginning of the sentence and is NOT followed by a comma it is a noun and is the subject of the sentence.

Lesson 4: Verbal phrases A verbal phrase includes a verbal and any modifiers or complements it may have. There are three types of verbal phrases:

Consist of the gerund plus its modifiers and complements. Gerund phrases Consist of the gerund plus its modifiers and complements. The entire phrase is used as a noun. Sunning himself is Silas the snake’s favorite activity. Gerund phrase:_________________________

Consist of a participle plus its modifiers and complements. Participial phrases Consist of a participle plus its modifiers and complements. The entire phrase acts as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun. Finishing his run, the horse walked for a few moments. Participial Phrase: _______________________  

Consist of an infinitive plus its modifiers and complements. Infinitive phrases Consist of an infinitive plus its modifiers and complements. The entire phrase acts as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

To run free in peace and solitude was Luna’s greatest goal. Infinitive phrases To run free in peace and solitude was Luna’s greatest goal. Infinitive phrase:________________________ Function:________________________