Verbals

Participles
Gerunds
Infinitives

Verbals
Verbal: a verb form that is not being used as a verb.
act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
Three types of verbals:
the participle, which ends in -ed or -ing and is used as an adjective.
the infinitive, which is formed by putting to in front of the present tense form.
the gerund, which ends in -ing and is used as a noun.
The mopped floor looked spotless.
Blowing out Birthday candles is always fun.

Participle
Participle: a form of a verb that needs a helping verb.
There are two participles, the present participle and the past participle.
The present participle of all verbs ends in -ing.
The past participle of regular verbs ends in -ed.
The past participles of irregular verbs have different forms.
all participles must have a helping verb.
Example:
Dancing, we went across the stage.

Participle Examples
Write down the participle verbal and the noun its modifying
1. It took a long time to complete that writing assignment.

2. My little brother acts like he has biting ants on him.

3. The tired students handed their finished assignments to the teacher.

Answers
1. It took a long time to complete that writing assignment.

2. My little brother acts like he has biting ants on him.

3. The tired students handed their finished assignments to the teacher.

Gerunds
Gerund: a verbal that uses the present participle of a verb but acts as a noun.
Acts as a subject, a subject complement, a direct object, an indirect object, or an object
of a preposition.
Swimming is my favorite activity. (gerund as a subject)
Julie's best subject is painting. (gerund as a subject complement)
Carlos really enjoys running. (gerund as a direct object)
Maria gives dancing all her attention. (gerund as an indirect object)
I got this bruise from boxing. (gerund as the object of a preposition)

Gerund Examples
Write down the Gerunds in each sentence.
1. A healthy form of exercise is running.

2. Living is essential to life.

3. You did well on that reading test by studying.

Answers
1. A healthy form of exercise is running.

2. Living is essential to life.

3. You did well on that reading test by studying.

Infinitives
Infinitive: a verb that has not been conjugated (changed to show person or tense).
generally use to with the base (present) form of the verb.
can work as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.
Examples:
Noun: To drive would be my first choice. Mom's first choice is to fly.
Adjective: Watermelons are good fruits to eat.
Adverb: We used our binoculars to see.

Infinitive Examples
Write down the infinitives from each sentence
1. Sometimes it is very hard to hit stormtroopers.

2. At the party tonight we will have time to eat and time to dance.

3. I learned to sing from my mother.

Answers
1. Sometimes it is very hard to hit stormtroopers.

2. At the party tonight we will have time to eat and time to dance.

3. I learned to sing from my mother.

Final Exercise
Write down the verbals and name them as a Participle, a Gerund, or an Infinitive.
1. Both the excited students and the exhausted teacher were glad to get home after the
long field trip.
2. If you want to play that game, you will have to find the pieces.
3. You will become better at any game by practicing.
4. We enjoy watching scary movies at night.
5. The broken windows of the abandoned house allowed rats to make it their home.
6. It is important to drink plenty of water when you are working in this heat.