what is a verbal?
Verbals include gerunds, infinitives, and participles.
Gerunds are verbs with -ing endings that function as nouns.
Running is Mary Kate's favorite pastime.
Mary Kate's favorite pastime is running.
Mary Kate's favorite pastime is running in the park.
(gerund phrase)
Infinitives are a verb in its simplest form- when a verb has no ties to a tense or person.
"Macy Kate is going to run."
"Macy Kate is going to draw."
"Macy Kate likes to run."
"Macy Kate like to draw."
Any verb in its simplest form, without anything forcing it to a time, with the word 'to' in front is an infinitive.
to run
to sing
to mince
to eat
to devour
to slice
to mingle
to bawl
Participles can be in the past or present. They are verbs that are used as adjectives.
There are perfect participles that are created from 'having' and a past tense verb.
Having taken the test, Mary Kate knew Mario would struggle in the class.
(perfect participle)
Past participles are describing the object as it was, and are past tense verbs. It takes up the responsibility of an adjective. (ed-s, d-s, etc)
Macy Kate drew various copied artworks, hoping to create her own style from others.
Annoyed, Macy Kate dropped everything to return to her lavish stick figure art.
Present participles are describing the object as it is, taking on an part of description. (ing)
Macy Kate stared ahead at the man, watching his long, flailing arms.
The meowing cat was more of a nuisance than anything.
Participle phrases are the participle plus words to further describe the situation.
Water is flowing inwards, leaking from the walls. (present)
The cats were moved outside of the city, carried in small shoe boxes. (past)
Some Practice Questions:
1. Is 'to run' an infinitive or a gerund?
2. Is a gerund a verb acting as a noun?
3. Is a participle an adjective that acts as a verb?
4. Is a present participle describing something in the past or in the future?
5. What is a perfect participle made up of?
6. Which is an infinitive?
a. to sing
b. to dance
c. to write
d. all of the above (a-c)
e. all of the above (a-d)
7. Is 'dancing in the hallways' a gerund phrase?
ANSWERS
1. an infinitive
2. true
3. no, it is a verb acting as an adjective.
4. neither; it is describing something in the present
5. having and a past-tense verb
6. d.
7. yes, dancing is the gerund or the thing that is taking place in the hallways.
FOR PRACTICE AND QUIZ: Quizlet Verbal Flashcards_
(click the q or the underscore)
Gerunds are verbs with -ing endings that function as nouns.
Running is Mary Kate's favorite pastime.
Mary Kate's favorite pastime is running.
Mary Kate's favorite pastime is running in the park.
(gerund phrase)
Infinitives are a verb in its simplest form- when a verb has no ties to a tense or person.
"Macy Kate is going to run."
"Macy Kate is going to draw."
"Macy Kate likes to run."
"Macy Kate like to draw."
Any verb in its simplest form, without anything forcing it to a time, with the word 'to' in front is an infinitive.
to run
to sing
to mince
to eat
to devour
to slice
to mingle
to bawl
Participles can be in the past or present. They are verbs that are used as adjectives.
There are perfect participles that are created from 'having' and a past tense verb.
Having taken the test, Mary Kate knew Mario would struggle in the class.
(perfect participle)
Past participles are describing the object as it was, and are past tense verbs. It takes up the responsibility of an adjective. (ed-s, d-s, etc)
Macy Kate drew various copied artworks, hoping to create her own style from others.
Annoyed, Macy Kate dropped everything to return to her lavish stick figure art.
Present participles are describing the object as it is, taking on an part of description. (ing)
Macy Kate stared ahead at the man, watching his long, flailing arms.
The meowing cat was more of a nuisance than anything.
Participle phrases are the participle plus words to further describe the situation.
Water is flowing inwards, leaking from the walls. (present)
The cats were moved outside of the city, carried in small shoe boxes. (past)
Some Practice Questions:
1. Is 'to run' an infinitive or a gerund?
2. Is a gerund a verb acting as a noun?
3. Is a participle an adjective that acts as a verb?
4. Is a present participle describing something in the past or in the future?
5. What is a perfect participle made up of?
6. Which is an infinitive?
a. to sing
b. to dance
c. to write
d. all of the above (a-c)
e. all of the above (a-d)
7. Is 'dancing in the hallways' a gerund phrase?
ANSWERS
1. an infinitive
2. true
3. no, it is a verb acting as an adjective.
4. neither; it is describing something in the present
5. having and a past-tense verb
6. d.
7. yes, dancing is the gerund or the thing that is taking place in the hallways.
FOR PRACTICE AND QUIZ: Quizlet Verbal Flashcards_
(click the q or the underscore)