Lesson one—Participles Name_______________________________

We already know that verbs tell us what the subject of the sentence does or is. Ex: The boy ran. Subject: boy Verb: ran

You can also use certain forms of verbs in a different way. We call those verbals. A verbal is a word that is made from a verb, but takes the form of a noun, an adjective, or an

adverb. The first type of verbal we will learn about is a participle. A participle is a verb form that takes the

form of an adjective. There are present participles and past participles. Let’s look at the chart

below to see the different forms.

Verb Present Participle Past Participle

Pay Paying Paid

Break Breaking Broken

Know Knowing Known

Spring Springing Sprung

Trot Trotting Trotted

Plan Planning Planned

Think Thinking Thought

Since participles act as adjectives, they only modify nouns or pronouns. Let’s look at a few examples:

The breaking waves kept the surfers close to shore. Breaking modifies waves, a noun.

The broken tractor could not be started. Broken modifies tractor, a noun.

A participle can also come after the noun or pronoun:

Those remaining left shortly after the others. Remaining modifies those, a pronoun.

Let’s practice identifying some participles in sentences. Write the participle on the line next to the sentence. Be prepared to tell what noun or pronoun the participle modifies

1. A challenging game offers a chance to excel in athletics.

2. Experienced athletes are always looking for new games to play.

3. Spiked shoes, or cleats, are a necessary piece of equipment.

4. Athletes also use gloves, balls, and other specialized tools.

5. Good athletes, tiring, will take short breaks to regain strength.

6. Those rested will want to get back in the game as soon as possible.

TO RECAP: A verbal is a word that is made from a verb, but is used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. We

have just talked about participles, a type of verbal, which act as adjectives!

You can use the present or past participle form of the verb as a verbal.

©Noelle Franzen 2013

Lesson one—Participles practice Name________________________________

Let’s practice participles some more! Next to each sentence, write the participle, AND the word it modifies.

Remember, a participle is a verb that acts like an adjective—which can only modify a noun or pronoun. And,

just a note, there can be more than one participle that modifies a noun or pronoun. Here’s a trick: if you eliminate (or just cover with your finger) the –ed or –ing on the word you think is the participle, and that remaining word is a verb, then you’ve found your answer! Ex: falling: Take away –ing, and you have fall. Is fall a verb? Yes, someone can fall off his or her chair! Easy!

1. Sidewalks, cracked and warped, worried the residents.

2. Children must anticipate unexpected bumps while riding their bikes.

3. Children must also look out for falling rocks.

4. Surprised residents will want to keep their children inside!

5. Those riding may find they will want to wear a helmet.

6. A challenging ride can be fun, but it should be safe.

7. Years ago, a traveling person on a bike was respected.

8. An experienced rider will remember this time.

9. Riders should not go alone into deserted areas.

10. Those riding in deserted areas are brave.

11. Many cities have protective laws for bicyclists.

12. Attentive bicyclists, listening, can anticipate danger.

13. Damaged bikes are a common result of cracked sidewalks.

14. Dedicated bicyclists are finding fewer places to ride.

15. The declining number of safe sidewalks is discouraging.

Rewrite the following sentences, adding a participle created from the verb in parenthesis, to modify the

noun or pronoun. 16. After a (damage) fire, a house can be unrecognizable.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. As a result of a fire, (ruin) memories often sadden residents. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. A neighborhood is in (continue) danger unless residents are informed. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

©Noelle Franzen 2013

Lesson one—Participles practice Name_________________________

Rewrite each sentence, adding a participle formed from the word in parenthesis to modify the underlined

noun in each sentence.

1. Many people enjoy hikes. (challenge) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. A hike is a good workout. (stimulate) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Sometimes, going to a gym provides no exercise. (motivate) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. A hike may just be the solution to your exercise needs. (tire) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Many problems can be avoided if one begins exercising. (annoy) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Now it’s your turn! You will write three pairs of sentences. The first sentence in each pair should have an

adjective modifying a noun. The second should be very similar, but a participle should take the place of the

adjective. Here’s an example: The bright moon illuminated the ocean. The glowing moon illuminated the ocean.

1.

2.

3.

©Noelle Franzen 2013

Lesson one—Participles Name______________________________

Writing Connection Write a descriptive paragraph using the following participles, and two of your own. The paragraph will

describe the moment you wake up on a deserted island. Be creative, and provide a lot of detail. Hiding Searching Sunken Damaged ________________________ ________________________

©Noelle Franzen 2013

Lesson two—Gerunds Name______________________________

You’ve already learned about one kind of verbal, the participle. Another verbal is the gerund. Gerunds are

simply the present participle of a verb—or, the –ing form, used as a noun. Have a look at this chart:

Verbals

Infinitives Are simply the verb

base of a participle,

with the helping verb

to placed in front of it.

Participles Present(-ing) and past

(-ed) forms of verbs

that act like adjectives,

describing only nouns

and pronouns

Gerunds The present form of participles

(-ing) that acts like a noun

Basically, you can look at the

word verbals as an umbrella,

and under it are the three

types of verbals —the participle is kind

of like the head verbal, and

from it, stems the gerund and

the infinitive. We will get to

infinitives after we learn about

gerunds, but as long as you

understand that they are

related, you will be able to

remember them all!

Here are a few samples of how to take the present participle, and use it as a gerund. Reading is my favorite hobby. (Here, reading is the subject.) I love reading. (Here, reading is the direct object.) Today is a great day for reading. (Here, reading is the object of a preposition.) My favorite pastime is reading. (Here, reading is a predicate noun.) In all of these instances, the action of reading is used as a noun. Now, it’s your turn to try! For each sentence, change the verb form into the present participle (-ing form), and use it as a noun

(gerund), and rewrite the sentence.

1. Fish can be a hobby or a career. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. My favorite exercise is run. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Did your friends go hike? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. I enjoy type. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

©Noelle Franzen 2013

Lesson two—Gerunds Name______________________________

Find each gerund in the following sentences. Is the gerund used as a subject? A direct object? The object of a

preposition? A predicate noun? Some sentences will not have a gerund. Write the gerund, how it functions, or

if the sentence doesn’t have a gerund, write, “no gerund.”

Ex: Do you enjoy fishing? Fishing direct object

1. Fishing is fun for me.

2. I exercise every day by swimming.

3. My other favorite activity is reading.

4. My friend and I are dancing in the talent show tonight.

5. Of all my hobbies, I care most about writing.

6. What is your most interesting hobby?

7. Walking and running are my favorite outdoor activities.

8. Reading about distant cities can be fun.

9. Many people get exercise by running.

10. Running shoes and clothes are available at many stores.

11. My best friend, a very fun girl, likes skating.

12. For some, only traveling can be considered a hobby.

Write four sentences of your own, using the word writing as a gerund. It should be used differently in each

sentence. One subject, one direct object, one object of a preposition, and one predicate noun. Identify how

you use the gerund at the end of your sentence.

1. 2. 3. 4.

©Noelle Franzen 2013

Lesson two—Gerunds Name______________________________

Use each of the following gerund phrases in your own sentence. Underline the gerund, and identify it as a

subject, object of a preposition, direct object, or predicate noun.

Ex: walking up the hill Walking up the hill took us all day. Subject

1. getting up in the morning ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. singing in the shower ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. practicing his guitar ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. sharpening my pencil ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. walking across the lawn ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. skating on ice ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. taking a long walk ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. asking for help ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

©Noelle Franzen 2013

Lesson two—Gerunds Name______________________________

Which word correctly precedes the gerund phrase in each sentence? Write the correct word on the line.

1. I warned my sisters about (them, their) being late.

2. I don’t appreciate (she, her) taking my book.

3. (Susan, Susan’s) leaving will make everyone happy.

4. (Me, My) being there was a problem.

5. Because of (Steve, Steve’s) running, he broke his leg.

Use gerunds to explain an activity involving action. It can be a physical activity like running or dancing, or it

can be a less active pursuit, such as assembling a craft, using a stapler, etc. Write a 5-sentence paragraph in

which you describe the activity. Each sentence must include a gerund. It can be used as a subject, object of

a preposition, direct object, or predicate noun.

©Noelle Franzen 2013

Lesson three—Infinitives Name___________________________________

You have already learned about participles and gerunds. The third type of verbal is the infinitive.

The infinitive is simply the word to added to the base form of the verb. Ex: to leave, to need.

Infinitives can be used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.

Here’s a chart to help you. Infinitives as nouns

Subject To leave would be rude. Direct object She wants to leave. Predicate noun My decision is to leave. Object of a preposition I want nothing more than to leave. Infinitives as adjectives

Modifies a noun Now is the time to leave. Modifies a pronoun He is someone to follow. Infinitives as adverbs

Modifies an adjective She is ready to leave. Modifies a verb To leave, use the elevator. Modifies an adverb She is healthy enough to travel.

Remember; don’t confuse infinitives with prepositional phrases that begin with

to. Just to be clear: Is this the turn to take? (Infinitive) Is this the road to the store? (prep. phrase)

Let’s practice! Write the infinitive(s) in each sentence. If there isn’t one, write none.

1. To read is to learn. _____________________________________________

2. Some books are good enough to read twice. ______________________________________

3. Johnny likes to read. ___________________________________

4. Reading to a friend is a nice gesture. __________________________________

5. Sometimes, it is worth it to concentrate on a difficult book. _____________________________________

6. Whether the book is hard or easy, read to understand. __________________________________

Underline each infinitive. Tell if it is used as a noun, adjective, or adverb. Not all sentences will have an

infinitive. If there isn’t one, write none.

1. Would you like to study? ___________________________________

2. The best time to study is before you are tired. _________________________________

3. Classical music may help you to concentrate. ________________________________

4. Some people like to go to a quiet library. __________________________________

5. To outline is helpful to some people. __________________________________

6. When you need to study, look for a quiet place. ________________________________ ©Noelle Franzen 2013

Lesson three—Infinitives Name__________________________________

An infinitive phrase is an infinitive plus its own modifiers/complements. Let’s look at the

examples: Ex: To speak Italian fluently is my life goal. (noun) She is the one to see for advice. (adjective) Everyone

wanted to hear the good news. (adverb) In the following sentences, identify the infinitive and infinitive phrase. Underline the infinitive once, and the

remainder of the phrase twice.

1. The swimmer wants to swim away from the rest of the pack.

2. To swim wild and free like a dolphin would be exciting.

3. Sharks like to eat sea lions.

4. To sit perfectly still is difficult.

Identify and underline the infinitive phrase in the following sentences. Determine the function of each (noun,

adj., adv.), and then use each infinitive in a new sentence.

5. In the winter, oatmeal is the type of breakfast to satisfy one’s hunger. _________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Some people like to swim in the cold ocean. __________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. I can’t wait to see the flowers bloom in spring. __________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. He wants us to swim in the unheated pool. ____________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Finish the following sentences with an infinitive phrase. 9. This year, my goal is _____________________________________________________ .

10. ______________________________________________________ takes a lot of effort.

11. Was he the first one ______________________________________________________?

12. She really wanted ________________________________________ but she didn’t have the time.

13. He returned home ______________________________________ had dug up the flowerbeds.

14. My purpose is ______________________________________ how blue the ocean was in Hawaii.

15. In order for it __________________________________, it must be a specific temperature.

16. The deadline ______________________________________ the yearbook was fast approaching. ©Noelle Franzen 2013

Lesson three—Infinitives Name___________________________________

Write the infinitive in each sentence.

1. What would you like to ask me? _______________________________

2. Some things are just difficult to understand. _______________________________

3. To practice is to make perfect. _______________________________

4. Dedicated athletes always find time to practice._______________________________

5. Have you always wanted to be a swimmer? _______________________________

6. To swim competitively takes even more practice. _______________________________

7. The first thing to do is swim everyday. _______________________________

8. Next, you have to build endurance. _______________________________

9. Hopefully, you find that practicing will lead to making a team. _______________________________

10. Then, you must continue to practice daily. _______________________________

Create a sentence, using each infinitive as the part of the sentence or part of speech named in parenthesis. Ex: To learn (direct object) All her life, my father has loved to learn.

1. To go (adverb) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. to start (adjective ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. To sail (adverb) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. To enjoy (direct object) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. To expect (adjective) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

©Noelle Franzen 2013

Lesson three—Infinitives Name___________________________________ Writing exercise Have you ever wanted to invent something? What would you invent if you had the opportunity?

Write a paragraph about something you would invent to perform a specific task. Use at least five

infinitive phrases.

Write the infinitive phrases you used here: Draw a picture of your invention here:

©Noelle Franzen 2013