Language Presentation by Mark
Study of Verbals
Let’s look at some examples:
What in the world is a VERBAL?
The barking dog.
The crying baby.
The broken arm.
The shining sun.
The flipped car.
I like to write.
He likes to read.
To learn is important.
I decided not to go.
She needs to sneeze.
I go swimming.
Fishing is fun.
That is ballet dancing.
Hiking is difficult.
I enjoy reading.
What’s similar in each column?
There are 3 forms of the verb, called VERBALS, that are used as other parts of speech:
InfinitiveParticipleGerund
What in the world is a VERBAL?
Repeat after me:VERBALS are words functioning as a verb
to sneeze, to smash, to cry, to shriek, to jump, to dunk, to read, to eat, to slurp—all of these are infinitives. An infinitive will almost always begin with to followed by the simple form of the verb, like this:
Round 1 of Verbals: “The Infinitives”
to + verb = infinitive
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The infinitive never functions alone as a verb.
Etymology: “infinitivus” (latin) meaning unlimited
Because an infinitive is not a verb, you cannot add s, es, ed, or ing to the end. Ever!
Infinitives can be used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. Look at these examples:
Round 1 of Verbals: “The Infinitives” to + verb
To love is healthy.
to love functions as a noun because it is the subject of the sentence.
The time to study is now.
to study is used as an adjective modifying time.
She practices to improve.
to improve is used as an adverb modifying practices.
The infinitive never functions alone as a verb.
Etymology: “infinitivus” (latin) meaning unlimited
Because an infinitive is not a verb, you cannot add s, es, ed, or ing to the end. Ever!
Infinitives can be used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. Look at these examples:
Round 1 of Verbals: “The Infinitives” to + verb
The elephant decided to marry the mouse.The mouse agreed to marry the elephant.
You will have to ask her.You are to leave immediately.
He ought to relax.She has to go to Berlin next week.
It’s easy to speak English.It is hard to change jobs after twenty years.
It’s foolish to believe everything you hear.
Round 1 of Verbals: “The Infinitives” to + verb
To explore creates wonderful experiences.
predicatesubject direct object
To explore creates wonderful experiences
The participle is a verb form which functions as an adjective.
Etymology: “participium” (latin) meaning to participate or partake
Round 2 of Verbals: “The Participle”
The Present Participle ends in “-ing”
The barking dog.
The crying baby.
The shining sun.
The Past Participle of verbs end in “-ed, -en, -d, -t, -n”
The loved child flourishes.
The finished table pleased the carpenter.
The mangled hair frustrated her.
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The participle is a verb form which functions as an adjective.
Etymology: “participium” (latin) meaning to participate or partake
Other Examples:
Round 2 of Verbals: “The Participle”
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The crying baby had a wet diaper.
Shaken, he walked away from the wrecked car.
The burning log fell off the fire.
Smiling, she hugged the panting dog.
The participle is a verb form which functions as an adjective.
Etymology: “participium” (latin) meaning to participate or partake
More Examples (past participles):
Round 2 of Verbals: “The Participle”
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The written poems received an award.
The kicked football went over the fence.
The drawn horse hangs on my wall.
The baked bread tasted delicious.
Round 2 of Verbals: “The Participle”
The gathering clouds warned us.
predicatesubject direct object
warnedThe gathering clouds us
A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing." The gerund form of the verb "read" is "reading." You can use a gerund as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence. Check it out:
Round 3 of Verbals: “The Gerund”
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I enjoy reading.(object of sentence)
Reading helps you. (subject of sentence)
His favorite hobby is reading.(complement of sentence)
Gerunds can also be made negative by adding "not": A good thing for your health is not smoking.
The gerund is sometimes referred to as a participial noun since it is a participle used as a noun.
Etymology: “gerundum” (latin) meaning acting out
Round 3 of Verbals: “The Gerund”
Walking rapidly is good exercise.(The adverb rapidly modifies
the gerund “walking.”)
Trying is commendable.(trying used as subject)
Mark enjoys reading poetry.(reading is the object of the verb enjoys
and it has its own object poetry)
Round 3 of Verbals: “The Gerund”
Lovely singing spreads joy and peace.
predicatesubject direct object
lovely singing spreads joy and peace
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