1. Verbals

2. What are verbals?
A verbal is a word that is made from a verb but doesn’t ACT like a verb in the sentence.
Gerunds and infinitives are examples of verbals.
Gerunds and infinitives are often part of phrases within a sentence.

3. Gerunds A gerund is an –ing word that acts as a noun, NOT as a verb
Examples:
Biking is hard when you go uphill. (Biking acts as a noun in this sentence.)
The audience booed my singing. (Singing acts as a noun in this sentence.

4. Gerund Phrases
A gerund phrase consists of a verbal that ends in –ing and everything that goes along with it (like modifiers or direct objects).
Examples:
Getting gum in your hair can be really gross. (Getting is the gerund, getting gum in your hair is the gerund phrase.)
Gunther loves snoring really loudly. (Snoring is the gerund, snoring really loudly is the gerund phrase.)

5. Infinitives
An infinitive consists of the word “to” followed by a verb that acts as a noun, adjective, or adverb)
Examples:
To sleep is the only thing I want to do right now. (To sleep functions as a noun.)
I always bring a book to read in case I get bored. (To read functions as an adjective.)

6. Infinitive Phrases
An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive (the word “to” and a verb) and everything that goes along with it.
Examples:
To eat ice cream without dripping is very difficult for Mrs. Fritts. (To eat is the infinitive, to eat ice cream without dripping is the infinitive phrase.)
Sally got out her phone to text her friends. (To text is the infinitive, to text her friends is the infinitive phrase.)

7. Your turn! Read the following sentences and find the gerund.
Gunther is really good at snoring.
Cooking is a skill I have not mastered.
One of my hobbies is running.

8. Your turn again! Read the following sentences and find the infinitive.
I went to the mall to buy some new shoes.
If you’re going shopping at Dierberg’s, remember to get macaroni and cheese.
There are so many books I want to read.