Rei Yagami

9 - Einstein
Sometimes a word or phrase appears to be a verb when, in fact, its something else. Its
important to look at the function that a word or phrase plays in a sentence before
determining its part of speech.

What Is a Verbal?
A verbal is a verb form that acts as another part of speecheither as a noun, an
adjective, or an adverb. Participles, gerunds, and infinitives are the three types of
verbals.
A participle is a verb form that functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns and pronouns
and can be either a present participle or a past participle. A participial phrase includes
the participle, plus any modifiers and complements.

Present Examples:
Applauding, the audience gave the singers a standing ovation.
(Applauding is the present participle. It modifies audience.)
Running toward the finish line, Kelly smiled and threw her hands into the air.
(Running is the present participle, and running toward the finish line is the participial
phrase. The participial phrase modifies Kelly.)

Past Examples:
The smell of burned toast filled the kitchen.
(Burned is the past participle. It modifies toast.)
Chopped into large pieces, the wood sat in a pile.
(Chopped is the past participle, and chopped into large pieces is the participial phrase.
The participial phrase modifies wood.)

Gerunds
A gerund is a verb form that functions as a noun. It always ends in -ing. A gerund
phrase includes the gerund, plus any modifiers and complements. By functioning as a
noun, gerunds and gerund phrases can act as subjects, direct objects, indirect objects,
predicate nominatives, or objects of a preposition in a sentence.
A good way to determine whether a word or phrase is functioning as a gerund versus a
present participle is to replace it with the word something. If the replacement works, then
the word or phrase is a gerund.

Gerund Examples:
Painting helps me relax.
(Painting is the gerund. It acts as a subject in the sentence.)
The act of voting is a responsibility every citizen should take seriously.
(Voting is the gerund. It acts as an object of the preposition of in the sentence.)
I like visiting historical sites.
(Visiting is the gerund, and visiting historical sites is the gerund phrase. The gerund
phrase acts as a direct object in the sentence.)
Davids job is flying helicopters.
(Flying is the gerund, and flying helicopters is the gerund phrase. The gerund phrase
acts as a predicate nominative in the sentence, identifying job.)

Infinitives
An infinitive is a verb form that typically begins with the word to. An infinitive phrase
includes the infinitive, plus any modifiers and complements. Infinitives and infinitive
phrases can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. When they function as nouns,
they can act either as subjects, direct objects, or predicate nominatives.

Infinitive Noun Examples:

Ben likes to ski.
(To ski is the infinitive. It functions as a noun in the sentence, acting as a direct object.)
My biggest goal is to finish a marathon.
(To finish is the infinitive, and to finish a marathon is the infinitive phrase. The infinitive
phrase functions as a noun phrase in the sentence. It acts as a predicate nominative,
identifying goal.)

Infinitive Adjective Examples:

Paris is a fascinating city to visit.
(To visit is the infinitive. It functions as an adjective in the sentence, modifying city.)
An antique store is a good place to find hidden treasures.
(To find is the infinitive, and to find hidden treasures is the infinitive phrase. The infinitive
phrase functions as an adjective phrase in the sentence, modifying place.)

Infinitive Adverb Examples:

To scuba dive, a person must get certified.

(To scuba dive is the infinitive. It functions as an adverb in the sentence, modifying
must get certified.)
To be on time, we should leave.
(To be is the infinitive, and to be on time is the infinitive phrase. The infinitive phrase
functions as an adverb phrase in the sentence, modifying should leave.)

Why Are Verbals Important?

Writers can use verbals to help make their writing more varied and concise and to give it
better flow.

Example:
Original: James ran from the dog. He hid behind a tree. He knew he couldnt stay there
for long, though, HE could hear the dog. It was approaching him. It snarled and growled.
He tried to think of somewhere else he could go. Then he saw the barn. Would he be
able to get to it without the dog first spotting him? James wasnt sure, but he thought he
should probably run to it. It was his only real option.
Revised: Running away from the dog, James hid behind a tree. He knew couldnt
stay there for long, though. He could hear the approaching dog, snarling and
growling. He tried to think of somewhere else to go. Then he saw the barn. Would he
be able to get it without the dog first spotting him? James wasnt sure, but he thought
running to it was his only real option.