Verbals Hand Out.docx

Verbals  

are verb forms which act as another part of speech in a sentence. They look like verbs but actually function in a sentence as nouns, adverbs, or adjectives.

Three types of Verbals • • •

Gerunds Infinitives Participles

Gerunds •

They are verbals ending in –ing that function as nouns.

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To find gerunds in sentences, just look for a verb + ing that is used as a noun. It’s that simple.

Examples: 1. Swimming in the ocean has been Sharon’s passion since she was five years old. 2. Let’s go dancing at the club tonight. 3. I delayed telling Jerry the bad news. 4. Holly decided that flying above the clouds was the most incredible experience she’d ever had. 5. Bill avoided doing his math assignment because the World Series was on. Infinitives •

Are nouns that begin with to followed by the simple form of the verb.

Structure: TO + BASEFORM OF THE VERB = INFINITIVE Examples: 1. 2. 3. 4.

To be or not to be, that is the question. To know her is to love her. To visit the Grand Canyon is my life-long dream. To understand statistics, that is our aim.

The most common verbs used in this pattern are: ask, tell, order, command, persuade, encourage, urge, want, wish, request, intend, expect, force, tempt, teach, invite, help, warn, like, love, hate, allow, permit, remind, cause, mean, dare etc.