Verbals and Verbal Phrases

VERBALS AND VERBAL PHRASES

A VERBAL is a word that is usually a verb but acts like another part of speech in a particular sentence.

There are three types of verbals: GERUNDS, PARTICIPLES, and INFINITIVES.

A GERUND is a word that is usually a verb but acts like a NOUN in a particular sentence.

GERUNDS ALWAYS END IN –ING.

Example Swimming is my favorite sport. Explanation “Swim” is usually a verb, but if you add –ing to it, it becomes swimming. Notice that SWIMMING is the subject of the sentence. Therefore, it is acting like a noun in this sentence and that makes it a gerund.

Gerunds can be used as subjects, direct objects, objects of prepositions, and predicate nominatives.

Examples 1. Tilting was a popular sport in the 1400s. (subject) 2. The sport involved riding. (direct object) 3. The sport was similar to jousting. (object of the preposition)

Gerunds can have objects of their own (since they are verb forms) and can also be modified by adverbs, adjectives, and prepositional phrases.

A GERUND PHRASE consists of a gerund with its objects and modifiers.

Examples 1. Unseating a rider was the object of the sport. 2. Successfully overpowering a knight was a challenge. 3. Accurate aiming contributed to the safety of the sport. 4. A barrier was used for separating contestants. Explanations 1. Ask yourself, “Unseating what?”. “A rider.” Therefore, rider is the direct object of the gerund “unseating”. 2. “Successfully” is an adverb modifying the gerund “overpowering”. 3. “Accurate” is an adjective modifying the gerund “aiming”. 4. “Separating” is the object of the prepositional phrase “for separating” and “contestants” is the direct object of the gerund “separating”. (Separating what? Contestants.)

HINT: If you are unsure if an –ing word is a gerund, replace it and/or its phrase with the word “IT”. If the sentence still makes sense, the word is a gerund or the group of words is a gerund phrase.

Examples 1. Swimming is my favorite sport. = It is my favorite sport. 2. Unseating a rider was the object of the sport. = It was the object of the sport.

THE PARTICIPLE

A PARTICIPLE is a word that is usually a verb but acts like an ADJECTIVE in a particular sentence.

Participles always modify a noun or pronoun in a sentence.

PARTICIPLES ALMOST ALWAYS END IN EITHER –ING OR –ED.

Examples 1. Smiling, the batter stepped up to plate. 2. Fooled, he swung at the curve ball. Explanations 1. Smile” is usually a verb; however in the sentence above it’s describing the noun “batter”. 2. “Fool” is usually a verb; however in the sentence above it’s describing pronoun “he”.

There are a few participles that do not end in –ing or –ed.

Example The burnt popcorn smelled up the kitchen. Explanation “Burn” is usually a verb, but in this sentence it is functioning as an adjective that describes “popcorn”.

Participles can have objects and can be modified by adverbs.

A PARTICIPIAL PHRASE consists of a participle with all of its objects and modifiers. Examples 1. Rounding third base, the runner charged toward home plate. 2. Especially pleased, the crowd cheered loudly. Explanations 1. Ask yourself “Rounding what?” Answer: “Third base”. “Third base” is the direct object of the participle “rounding”. “Rounding third base” is describing the noun “runner”. 2. “Especially” is modifying (or describing) “pleased.” (It’s telling HOW pleased.) “Especially pleased” is modifying the noun “crowd”.

HINT: Participles and participial phrases can usually be taken out of a sentence and the sentence is still complete. They simply give more information.

Examples 1. Rounding third base, the runner charged toward home plate. = The runner charged toward home plate. 2. The burnt popcorn smelled up the kitchen. = The popcorn smelled up the kitchen.

HINT: Participles and participial phrases are usually near the noun or pronoun they modify.

Examples 1. The skilled catcher trapped the wild pitch in his mitt. 2. The pitcher, losing control, had overthrown the ball. Explanations 1. “Skilled” modifies “catcher”. 2. “Losing control” modifies “pitcher”.

THE INFINITIVE

An INFINITIVE is a verb that has the word “to” in front of it. Do not confuse an infinitive with a prepositional phrase beginning with “to”.

Examples 1. People dreamed of flights to the moon. 2. Not until the 1960s were people able to succeed. Explanations 1. “To the moon” is a prepositional phrase. The word “to” is not followed by a verb. 2. “To succeed” is an infinitive because the word “to” is followed by a verb.

Infinitives can be used in three ways: as a noun (subject, direct object, etc.), as an adjective, or as an adverb.

Examples 1. To move in zero gravity is not easy. 2. Astronauts learn to adapt to zero gravity. 3. The landing on the moon was an event to watch. 4. Pictures of the moonwalk were incredible to see. Explanations 1. “To move” is functioning as the subject of the sentence. 2. “To adapt” is answering the question “Learn what?” so it is functioning as a direct object. 3. “To watch” is modifying “event” so it is functioning as an adjective. 4. “To see” is modifying “incredible” so it is functioning as an adverb.

An INFINITIVE PHRASE consists of the infinitive and all of its modifiers and objects.

Examples 1. Astronauts tried to master space. 2. Weightlessness began to give astronauts several problems. 3. Astronauts eventually learned to maneuver successfully. Explanations 1. “Space” is the direct object of “to master.” (To master what? Space.) 2. “Astronauts” is the indirect object of “to give” and “problems” is the direct object. “Several” modifies problems. 3. “Successfully” modifies “to maneuver.” (It tells how they maneuvered.)