Verbal Phrases: Participial & Infinitive Phrases

Participial Phrases A verbal is a verb form that acts as a noun an adjective, or an adverb. A participle is a verb form that functions as an adjective. Like adjectives, participles modify nouns or pronouns. Participles may be present participles (usually ending in –ing) or past participles (usually ending in –en or –ed). A participial phrase consists of the participle plus its modifiers.

Infinitive Phrases 5. An infinitive is a verb form, usually beginning with the word to, that can act as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. 6. An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive plus its modifiers. 7. You can use infinitive phrases to combine sentences and eliminate unnecessary words to make the relationship between ideas clearer. Unclear/wordy: Golfers use many different types of clubs during a tournament. Different clubs are needed to hit good shots. Revised: Golfers use many different types of clubs to hit good shots during a tournament.