VERBS VERSUS VERBALS Verbals A verb form used

VERBS VERSUS VERBALS

Verbals � � � A verb form used as a noun, adjective, or adverb. Three kinds: participles, gerunds, and infinitives Distinguish verbs from verbals: 1. A verb has a subject. A verbal does not. 2. While a verbal looks like a verb, it functions as another part of speech in the sentence.

Participles � � A verb form used as an adjective Modify a noun or pronoun End in –ing, -d, -ed, -t, or –en Answers the questions which one, what kind, how many, how much or whose � The poor horse, ridden to exhaustion, could barely stand. (Could stand is the verb. Ridden is the participle that answers the question which one. ) � They were trapped in an abandoned mine. (Were trapped is the verb. Abandoned is the participle that answers the question what kind. ) � Complete the exercise.

Gerunds � � A verb form used as a noun End in –ing � Jogging is a popular sport. � Their big mistake was trusting the competition. � Reading is my favorite pastime. � Complete the exercise.

Infinitives � � A verb form used as a noun, adjective, or adverb Usually to + verb � To learn self discipline is to conquer one’s self. (To learn self discipline is the subject of the sentence. ) � Ashley likes to listen to opera. (To listen is the direct object. ) � They have a truckload of tomatoes to sell. (To sell is an adjective indicating what kind of tomatoes. ) � He studied to show that he could pass the class. (To show is an adverb indicating why he studied. ) � Complete the exercise.

But wait; there’s more. . . � This is just an introduction to verbals. They will be studied more in-depth when we discuss nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.