Verbals and Verbal Phrases
Verbals are forms of verbs that are used as other parts of speech.
There are three types of verbals
1) Participles
2) Gerunds
3) Infinitives
1)PARTICIPLES:
A participle is a verb form used as an adjective.
Examples:(Participles are in capital letters.)
The PRANCING horses were spectacular.
The CRYING baby would not be calmed.
The DANCING girl was happy.
Present participles consist of a verb and the ending -ing.
Examples:
RUNNING from the law, the man was scared.
FINISHING her assignment, the girl was tired.
WALKING through the field, the boy pulled tassels.
Past participles usually consist of the verb with a -d or an -ed ending. Some may be irregularly formed.
Examples:
A PEELED apple tastes good.
SCARED of her shadow, the girl wouldn't go into the haunted house.
CHALLENGED to do better work, the student performed to expectations.
2)GERUNDS
A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that is used as a noun.
EXAMPLES:
RUNNING is fun.
I enjoy SWIMMING.
The SINGING was beautiful.
3)INFINITIVES
An infinitive is a verb form, usually preceded by to, that is used as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
NOUN: TO FORGET is TO FORGIVE.
ADJECTIVE: The player TO WATCH is the quarterback.
ADVERB: The keynote speaker rose TO SPEAK.
Important Reminder:
"to + verb" = infinitive
"to + noun or pronoun" = prepositional phrase
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