Download Verbal

Verbs – The Next Generation
Verbals
 A verbal is sort of an off-duty verb that looks like a verb but functions as another part of
speech in a sentence.
o There are three types of verbals: gerunds, participles and infinitives.
 Gerunds are –ing verbs that function as nouns.
o Example: Swimming is a good form of exercise.
 Participles act as an adjective. It can have an –ing ending (present participle) or an –ed
ending (past participle).
o Each modifies the noun that follows
o Example: The laughing children played at the park.
 Infinitives can play the roles of nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.
o to + base form of the verb
o Example: I like to sleep.
Direct and Indirect Objects
 Direct Object – a noun or a pronoun that receives the action of the verb
o Example – She ate the cake.
 Indirect Object – answers the question “To Whom?” and “To What?” or “For What?”
something is done or given
o Example – Tell me a story.
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
 Transitive verbs – must be followed by an object, usually an action verb, usually the object
is a direct object
o Example – The dog ate the turkey.
 Intransitive verb – not followed by an object
o Example – The baby is sleeping.
Active and Passive Voice
 Active Voice - a verb is in the active voice when the subject performs the action of the verb.
When the verb is transitive, the direct object follows the verb.
subject
D.O.
o Example: Thornton Wilder composed that play.
 Passive Voice - a verb is in the passive voice when the subject receives the action of the
verb. The direct object of an “active voice” sentence becomes the subject of the sentence.
o Example – That play was composed by Thornton Wilder.