Verbals

Verbals are verb forms: words that look like verbs or could be verbs in other sentences BUT are NOT used as verbs. Like a piggy bank, they look like something that they are not! Verbals are verb forms: words that look like verbs or could be verbs in other sentences BUT are NOT used as verbs. Like a piggy bank, they look like something that they are not!

Verbals are used as one of the following: Noun Adjective Adverb A verbal can NEVER be the verb of the sentence! Verbals are used as one of the following: Noun Adjective Adverb A verbal can NEVER be the verb of the sentence!

Is it a VERB or a VERBAL? Telling the difference between a verb and a verbal is not done by looking only at the word itself: You have to see how the word is being used (context). In both cases the word looks like a verb, but if it is used as something other than a verb… it’s a VERBAL. Is it a VERB or a VERBAL? Telling the difference between a verb and a verbal is not done by looking only at the word itself: You have to see how the word is being used (context). In both cases the word looks like a verb, but if it is used as something other than a verb… it’s a VERBAL.

Examples: – My mom waxed the floors. – The waxed floors were slippery and dangerous. Which is a verb and which is a verbal? Examples: – My mom waxed the floors. – The waxed floors were slippery and dangerous. Which is a verb and which is a verbal?

My mom waxed the floors. In the first sentence, the word is being used as a verb to tell what action is being done. My mom waxed the floors. In the first sentence, the word is being used as a verb to tell what action is being done.

The waxed floors were slippery and dangerous. In this sentence the word still looks like a verb, but it is being used as an adjective; therefore, it is a VERBAL ! The waxed floors were slippery and dangerous. In this sentence the word still looks like a verb, but it is being used as an adjective; therefore, it is a VERBAL !

Which of these is a verbal? – Water was flowing over the rocks in the stream. – Flowing water carries a great deal of potential energy. Which of these is a verbal? – Water was flowing over the rocks in the stream. – Flowing water carries a great deal of potential energy.

There are three different kinds of verbals: P articiples I nfinitives G erunds Each verbal has a specific purpose and use in a sentence. They may be used alone or as a phrase. There are three different kinds of verbals: P articiples I nfinitives G erunds Each verbal has a specific purpose and use in a sentence. They may be used alone or as a phrase.

Participles Participles are verb forms that are used as adjectives. They will have two forms: – Present (ending in “-ing”) – Past (usually ending in “-ed”) These contain action, but they are NOT used as verbs in the sentence. Participles Participles are verb forms that are used as adjectives. They will have two forms: – Present (ending in “-ing”) – Past (usually ending in “-ed”) These contain action, but they are NOT used as verbs in the sentence.

Participles describe a noun and end in –ing or -ed Examples: – Oinking pig – Broken window – Elected official – Streaming video – Winning touchdown Participles describe a noun and end in –ing or -ed Examples: – Oinking pig – Broken window – Elected official – Streaming video – Winning touchdown

Most participle phrases will have commas setting them off. This is especially true when they open a sentence and modify the subject. For example, – Untackled by the defense, the player raced twenty yards. – Crying loudly, the baby wanted some attention. Most participle phrases will have commas setting them off. This is especially true when they open a sentence and modify the subject. For example, – Untackled by the defense, the player raced twenty yards. – Crying loudly, the baby wanted some attention.

Infinitives An infinitive is a verb form that is the word “to” and an action verb (but it is NOT used as a verb or a prep phrase). – To play – To sleep – To be – To write – To speak Infinitives An infinitive is a verb form that is the word “to” and an action verb (but it is NOT used as a verb or a prep phrase). – To play – To sleep – To be – To write – To speak

Infinitives (TO + ACTION WORD) An infinitive may be used as a: – Noun (person, place, thing) – Adjective (describes a noun) – Adverb (describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb) Infinitives (TO + ACTION WORD) An infinitive may be used as a: – Noun (person, place, thing) – Adjective (describes a noun) – Adverb (describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb)

Infinitives as nouns: – I hate to go. (direct object) – To steal is a crime. (subject) As an adjective: – It’s time to go. (modify time) – There are jobs to be done (modify jobs) As an adverb: – He always plays to win. (modify plays) Infinitives as nouns: – I hate to go. (direct object) – To steal is a crime. (subject) As an adjective: – It’s time to go. (modify time) – There are jobs to be done (modify jobs) As an adverb: – He always plays to win. (modify plays) Infinitives as nouns: – I hate to go. (direct object) – To steal is a crime. (subject) As adjectives: – It’s time to go. (modifies time) – There are jobs to be done (modifies jobs) As an adverb: – He always plays to win. (modifies plays) Infinitives as nouns: – I hate to go. (direct object) – To steal is a crime. (subject) As adjectives: – It’s time to go. (modifies time) – There are jobs to be done (modifies jobs) As an adverb: – He always plays to win. (modifies plays)

Be careful not to create “split” infinitives. This is done when an adverb is placed between the “to” and the verb form. – To boldly go = To go boldly – To strenuously object… – To always comply… Be careful not to create “split” infinitives. This is done when an adverb is placed between the “to” and the verb form. – To boldly go = To go boldly – To strenuously object… – To always comply…

Gerunds Gerunds are verb forms ending in “-ing” that are used as nouns. Gerunds Gerunds are verb forms ending in “-ing” that are used as nouns.

Gerunds “-ing” verb forms that act as nouns *Gerunds can be subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions. Gerunds “-ing” verb forms that act as nouns *Gerunds can be subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions.

Examples of gerunds: – Eating is not allowed in class. (subject) – I liked eating at the new restaurant. (direct object) – Without eating I would die. (object of a preposition) Examples of gerunds: – Eating is not allowed in class. (subject) – I liked eating at the new restaurant. (direct object) – Without eating I would die. (object of a preposition)

REMEMBER… Verbals are PIGs: P articiples I nfinitives G erunds REMEMBER… Verbals are PIGs: P articiples I nfinitives G erunds

Practice, Part 1: Label the types of verbals that are already underlined in the following sentences as participles, infinitives, or gerunds. Practice, Part 1: Label the types of verbals that are already underlined in the following sentences as participles, infinitives, or gerunds.

1. To run a mile in less than four minutes is nearly impossible. 2. Charging wildly down the street, the bulls tried to crush the citizens of Pamplona. 3. Cheating on a final exam in English is not an advisable solution to not studying. 4. Mom served creamed spinach for dinner. 5. My dream is to go to the Olympics. 1. To run a mile in less than four minutes is nearly impossible. 2. Charging wildly down the street, the bulls tried to crush the citizens of Pamplona. 3. Cheating on a final exam in English is not an advisable solution to not studying. 4. Mom served creamed spinach for dinner. 5. My dream is to go to the Olympics.

Practice, Part 2: Identify and label the verbals in the following five sentences. Practice, Part 2: Identify and label the verbals in the following five sentences.

6. Sleeping soundly in his bed, Jake dreamed of his future career. 7. I wanted to try out for the baseball team this spring. 8. The fierce waters of the Chattahoochie River were great for rafting. 9. The sweet little baby, crying loudly in the den, was a nuisance. 10. We tried shooting with the NBA’s new basketball and found that it was difficult. 6. Sleeping soundly in his bed, Jake dreamed of his future career. 7. I wanted to try out for the baseball team this spring. 8. The fierce waters of the Chattahoochie River were great for rafting. 9. The sweet little baby, crying loudly in the den, was a nuisance. 10. We tried shooting with the NBA’s new basketball and found that it was difficult.

The End