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Verbals and Verbal Phrases
GRAMMAR
Verbals are formed from verbs. Like verbs, they may have modifiers
and complements. However, verbals are used as nouns, adjectives, or
adverbs, not as verbs. The three kinds of verbals are participles,
gerunds, and infinitives.
The Participle
14f. A participle is a verb form that can be used as an adjective.
EXAMPLES
We saw the raccoon escaping through the back door. [The
participle escaping, formed from the verb escape, modifies
the noun raccoon.]
Reference Note
For a discussion of irregular verbs, see page 519.
Waxed floors can be dangerously slippery. [The participle
Waxed, formed from the verb wax, modifies the noun
floors.]
Two kinds of participles are present participles and past participles.
(1) Present participles end in –ing.
EXAMPLES
We ran inside to get out of the pouring rain. [The present
participle pouring modifies the noun rain.]
Watching the clock, the coach became worried. [The present
participle watching modifies the noun coach.]
Although participles are forms of verbs, they cannot stand alone as
verbs. Participles need to be joined to a helping verb to form a verb
phrase. When a participle is used in a verb phrase, it is part of the verb
and is not an adjective.
VERB PHRASES
The rain was pouring.
The coach had been watching the clock.
(2) Past participles usually end in –d or –ed. Other past participles
are formed irregularly.
EXAMPLES
A peeled and sliced cucumber can be added to a garden
salad. [The past participles peeled and sliced modify the
noun cucumber.]
The speaker, known for her strong support of recycling, was
loudly applauded. [The irregular past participle known
modifies the noun speaker.]
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Like a present participle, a past participle can also be part of a verb
phrase. When a past participle is used in a verb phrase, it is part of the
verb and is not an adjective.
GRAMMAR
VERB PHRASES
I have peeled and sliced the cucumber.
The speaker was known for her strong support
of recycling.
NOTE
Notice in the second example above that a past participle used
with a form of the verb be creates a passive-voice verb. A verb in the
passive voice expresses an action done to its subject.
Reference Note
For more about the
passive voice, see
page 535.
EXAMPLE
Exercise 4
HELP
Some sentences
in Exercise 4 contain
more than one participle
used as an adjective.
The goal was made by Josh. [The action of the verb was
made is done to the subject goal.]
Identifying Participles and the Words
They Modify
Identify the participles used as adjectives in each of the following sentences. After each participle, write the noun or pronoun it modifies.
EXAMPLES
1. We searched the island for buried treasure.
1. buried—treasure
2. The speeding train raced past the platform.
2. speeding—train
1. The prancing horses were loudly applauded by the audience.
2. Colorful flags, waving in the breeze, brightened the gloomy day.
3. Swaggering and boasting, the new varsity quarterback made us
extremely angry.
4. The game scheduled for tonight was postponed because of rain.
5. Leaving the field, the happy player rushed to her parents sitting in
the bleachers.
6. Branches tapping on the roof and leaves rustling in the wind made
an eerie sound.
7. We thought the banging shutter upstairs was someone walking in
the attic.
8. Painfully sunburned, I vowed always to use sunscreen and never to
be so careless again.
9. Terrified by our dog, the burglar turned and fled across the yard.
10. The platoon of soldiers, marching in step, crossed the field to the
stirring music of the military band.
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Exercise 5
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Using Appropriate Participles
EXAMPLE
1. The
tide washed over the beach.
1. rising
1. Mr. Ortiz explained the effects of pollution and drought on plants
in a rain forest.
2.
from the point of view of a firefighter, the story is full of
accurate details.
3. The tiger,
from the hunters, swam across the river to safety.
4.
at the traffic light, the driver put on his sunglasses.
5. The tourists
in the hotel were given a free meal.
6.
as an excellent place to camp, the park lived up to its
reputation.
7.
by a bee, Steven hurried to the infirmary.
8. The poem describes a spider
on a thread.
9. We stumbled off the racecourse,
.
10.
, I quickly phoned the hospital.
Reference Note
For information on
punctuating participial
phrases, see page 653.
The participle as a
dangling modifier
is discussed on page 585.
For information on using
participles to combine
sentences, see page 332.
The Participial Phrase
14g. A participial phrase is used as an adjective and consists of
a participle and any complements or modifiers the participle has.
EXAMPLES
Seeing the cat, the dog barked loudly.
The cat hissed at the dog barking in the yard next door.
The dog noisily barking at the cat had to be brought in.
In each of the following sentences, an arrow points from the participial phrase to the noun or pronoun that the phrase modifies.
EXAMPLES
Switching its tail, the mountain lion paced back and forth.
[participle with object tail]
She heard me sighing loudly. [participle with the adverb
loudly]
Living within his budget, Adam never needs to borrow
money. [participle with adverb phrase within his budget]
Quickly grabbing the keys, I dashed for the front door.
[participle with preceding adverb Quickly and object keys]
STYLE
A participial phrase should
be placed very close to
the word it modifies.
Otherwise, the phrase may
appear to modify another
word, and the sentence
may not make sense.
MISPLACED
He saw a moose riding his
motorcycle through the
woods. [The placement of
the modifier riding his
motorcycle calls up a silly
picture. He, not the
moose, is riding the
motorcycle.]
IMPROVED
Riding his motorcycle
through the woods, he
saw a moose.
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TIP
451
GRAMMAR
For each blank in the following sentences, provide a participle that fits
the meaning of the sentence.
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Exercise 6
Identifying Participial Phrases
Identify the participial phrases in the following sentences, and give the
word each phrase modifies.
GRAMMAR
EXAMPLE
1. The sight of skyscrapers towering against the sky always
impresses me.
1. towering against the sky—skyscrapers
1. How are skyscrapers created, and what keeps them standing tall?
2. As the drawing shows, columns of steel, or of concrete reinforced
with steel, are sunk into bedrock beneath the building.
3. If a layer of rock isn’t present, these columns are sunk into a thick
concrete pad spread across the bottom of.a deep basement.
4. From this foundation rises a steel skeleton, supporting the walls
and floors.
5. This cutaway drawing shows how this skeleton, covered with a
“skin” of.glass and metal, becomes a safe working and living space
for people.
6. This method of building, first developed in the United States, is
used now in many other places in the world.
7. Chicago, nearly destroyed by fire in 1871, was later rebuilt with
innovative designs.
8. The first skyscraper constructed on a metal frame was built there
during this period.
9. Architects, using the latest materials, were glad to design in
new ways.
10. Chicago, known as the site of.the original 10-story skyscraper,
now is home to the 110-story Sears Tower.
Review D
HELP
Some sentences
in Review D contain more
than one participle or
participial phrase.
Go to the Chapter Menu
for an interactive activity.
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Chapter 14
Identifying Participles and Participial
Phrases
Identify the participial phrases and participles that are used as adjectives in the following sentences. Then, give the words they modify.
EXAMPLE
1. Cats, known for their pride and independence, are
supposedly hard to train.
1. known for their pride and independence—Cats
1. One day I was giving Chops, my spoiled cat, treats.
2. Standing on her hind legs, she reached up with her paw.
3. Chops, grabbing for my fingers, tried to bring the tasty morsel closer.
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GRAMMAR
4. Pulling my hand back a little, I tugged gently on her curved paw,
and she stepped forward.
5. Praising my clever cat, I immediately gave her two treats.
6. The next time I held a treat up high, Chops, puzzled but eager,
repeated the grab-and-step movement.
7. Soon Chops was taking steps toward treats held out of.her reach.
8. I now have an educated cat who can walk on two legs.
9. Grabbing the treats and gobbling them down, she has learned that
certain moves always get her a snack.
10. Sometimes after Chops has had her treat, she just sits and looks at
me, no doubt thinking that humans are truly a strange bunch!
The Gerund
14h. A gerund is a verb form ending in –ing that is used as a
noun.
Like other nouns, gerunds are used as subjects, predicate nominatives,
direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions.
EXAMPLES
The dancing was fun. [subject]
My favorite part of the show was his juggling. [predicate
nominative]
Shauna tried climbing faster. [direct object]
Give winning the game your best. [indirect object]
We worked better after resting. [object of a preposition]
Like other nouns, gerunds may be modified by adjectives and
adjective phrases.
EXAMPLES
We listened to the beautiful singing of the famous
soprano. [The article the, the adjective beautiful, and the
adjective phrase of the famous soprano modify the gerund
singing. Singing is used as the object of the preposition to.]
The Mallorys enjoy talking about their vacation. [The
adjective phrase about their vacation modifies the gerund
talking, which is the direct object of the verb enjoy.]
The harsh clacking of the tappets alerted us to a serious
problem in the car’s engine. [The article The, the adjective
harsh, and the adjective phrase of the tappets modify the
gerund clacking.]
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Like verbs, gerunds may also be modified by adverbs and adverb
phrases.
GRAMMAR
EXAMPLES
Reading widely is one way to acquire judgment, maturity,
and a good education. [The gerund Reading is the subject of
the verb is. The adverb widely modifies the gerund Reading.]
Floating lazily in the pool is my favorite summer pastime.
[The gerund Floating is used as the subject of the sentence.
It is modified by the adverb lazily (telling how) and also by
the adverb phrase in the pool (telling where).]
Brandywine likes galloping briskly on a cold morning.
[The gerund galloping is the direct object of the verb likes.
The adverb briskly (telling how) and the adverb phrase on a
cold morning (telling when) both modify galloping.]
Gerunds, like present participles, end in –ing. To be a gerund, a
verbal must be used as a noun. In the following sentence, three words
end in –ing, but only one of them is a gerund.
EXAMPLE
Exercise 7
Circling the runway, the pilot was preparing for landing.
[Circling is a present participle modifying pilot. Preparing is
part of the verb phrase was preparing. Only landing, used as
the object of the preposition for, is a gerund.]
Identifying and Classifying Gerunds
Identify each gerund in the following sentences. Then, write how each
is used: as a subject, a predicate nominative, a direct object, or an object
of a preposition.
EXAMPLE
1. Instead of driving, let’s walk.
1. driving—object of a preposition
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Chapter 14
Her laughing attracted my attention.
By studying, you can improve your grades.
Why did the birds stop chirping?
Writing in my journal has helped me understand myself better.
Smiling, Dad said that we would all go to a movie when we had
finished the cleaning.
What Joseph liked best was hiking to the peak.
Before leaving the beach, we sat and watched the fading light.
Yesterday, Mrs. Jacobs was discussing having a garage sale.
One of Alvin’s bad habits is boasting.
Without knocking, the crying child threw open the door.
The Phrase
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The Gerund Phrase
EXAMPLES
The gentle pattering of the rain was a welcome sound.
[The gerund phrase is the subject of the sentence. The
gerund pattering is modified by the article The, the adjective
gentle, and the prepositional phrase of the rain. Notice
that the modifiers preceding the gerund are included in
the gerund phrase.]
I feared skiing down the mountain alone. [The gerund
phrase is used as the object of the verb feared. The gerund
skiing is modified by the prepositional phrase down the
mountain and by the adverb alone.]
STYLE
TIP
A noun or a pronoun that
comes before a gerund
should be in the possessive
form.
EXAMPLES
My playing the radio
loudly is a bad habit.
Ed’s constant TV watching interferes with our
studying.
My dog’s favorite game is bringing me the newspaper.
[The gerund phrase is used as a predicate nominative. The
gerund bringing has a direct object, newspaper, and an
indirect object, me.]
Evelyn Ashford won a gold medal for running the
100-meter dash. [The gerund phrase is the object of the
preposition for. The gerund running has a direct object,
dash.]
Exercise 8
Identifying and Classifying Gerund
Phrases
Find the gerund phrases in the following sentences. Then, tell how
each phrase is used: as a subject, a predicate nominative, a direct object,
or an object of a preposition.
EXAMPLE
1. My favorite hunting trophies are the ones I get by
photographing wild animals.
1. photographing wild animals—object of a preposition
HELP
Sentences in
Exercise 8 may contain
more than one
gerund phrase.
1. Exciting and challenging, wildlife photography is surprisingly
similar to pursuing prey on a hunt.
2. In both activities, knowing the animals’. habits.and habitats is vital
to success.
3. Scouting out locations is important to both the hunter and the
nature photographer.
4. This preparation gives you time for figuring out the best natural
light for photography.
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GRAMMAR
14i. A gerund phrase consists of a gerund and any modifiers or
complements the gerund has. The entire phrase is used as a noun.
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GRAMMAR
5. Other important skills are being quiet and keeping your aim
very steady.
6. In photography, you must also consider choosing the correct film.
7. Photographers often like taking pictures of.animals feeding near
ponds and rivers.
8. Setting up a tripod and camera in underbrush nearby is a way to
be ready when the animals come.
9. Advance preparation often makes the difference between getting
good pictures and getting great ones.
10. Your patience and skill are rewarded when you “capture” a wild
creature without killing it.
Review E
Go to the Chapter Menu
for an interactive activity.
Identifying and Classifying Gerunds
and Gerund Phrases
Identify the gerunds or gerund phrases in the following sentences.
Then, tell how each is used: as a subject, a predicate nominative, a
direct object, or an object of a preposition.
EXAMPLE
1. Drawing a good caricature is hard to do.
1. Drawing a good caricature—subject
1. A caricature is a picture, usually of a person, that draws attention
to key features by emphasizing them.
2. Usually, caricature artists enjoy poking fun at famous people.
3. Looking at caricatures is an entertaining way to capture the “feel”
of a historical period.
4. No one looking at this sketch of Teddy Roosevelt can help smiling.
5. The artist began by simplifying the shape of.his subject’s head.
6. Then he started outlining the temples and round cheeks with bold
strokes of.his pen.
7. As you probably realize, magnifying reality is very important to
good caricature.
8. By enlarging Roosevelt’s engaging grin and bristly mustache, the
artist emphasizes these features and suggests Roosevelt’s energetic,
outgoing personality.
9. The artist also uses his subject’s narrowed eyes and oval glasses for
comic effect by drawing them closer together than they really were.
10. Exaggerating Roosevelt’s features has resulted in an amusing but
unmistakable likeness.
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The Infinitive
Infinitives can be used as nouns.
EXAMPLES
STYLE
To fly is glorious. [To fly is the subject of the sentence.]
Brandon wanted to work on the play. [To work is the object
of the verb wanted.]
Infinitives can be used as adjectives.
EXAMPLES
The place to visit is Williamsburg. [To visit modifies the
noun place.]
That record was the one to beat. [To beat modifies the
pronoun one.]
Infinitives also can be used as adverbs.
EXAMPLES
Sabina jumped to shoot. [To shoot modifies the verb jumped.]
Ready to go, we soon loaded the car. [To go modifies the
adjective Ready.]
N O T E To plus a noun or a pronoun (to school, to him, to the beach) is a
prepositional phrase, not an infinitive.
Exercise 9
TIP
A split infinitive occurs
when a word is placed
between the sign of the
infinitive, to, and the base
form of a verb. Although
split infinitives are common in informal speaking
and writing, you should
avoid using them in formal
situations.
SPLIT
The bear seemed to
suddenly appear from
the shadows.
REVISED
The bear seemed to
appear suddenly from
the shadows.
Reference Note
Identifying and Classifying Infinitives
For more about
prepositional phrases,
see page 442.
Identify the infinitives in the following sentences. Then, tell how each
infinitive is used: as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.
EXAMPLE
1. I would like to help you.
1. to help—noun
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Tamisha’s ambition is to teach.
To persist can sometimes be a sign of stubbornness.
Chen has learned to tap dance.
I am happy to oblige.
An easy way to win at tennis does not exist.
We need to weed the garden soon.
The hockey team went to Coach Norton’s house to study last night.
We met at the lake to swim.
That is not the correct amount of paper to order for this project.
According to the map, the road to take is the one to the left.
C OM P U T E R T I P
Some software programs
can identify and highlight
split infinitives in a document. Using such a feature
will help you eliminate split
infinitives from your formal
writing.
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GRAMMAR
14j. An infinitive is a verb form that can be used as a noun, an
adjective, or an adverb. Most infinitives begin with to.
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TIPS
&
The Infinitive with to Omitted
TRICKS
To find out if an infinitive
phrase is being used as a
noun, replace the phrase
with what.
EXAMPLES
To fix an air conditioner
is my next project. [What
is my next project? To fix
an air conditioner is my
next project. The infinitive is a noun.]
In New York, we went to
see Gramercy Park. [We
went what? This question
makes no sense. The
infinitive is not a noun.
It is used as an adverb
modifying the verb went.]
Sometimes the sign of the infinitive, to, is omitted in a sentence.
EXAMPLES
She’s done all her chores except [to] feed the cat.
I’ll help you [to] pack.
The dogs like to roam in the field and [to] chase rabbits.
Fuel injection helps cars [to] run better and [to] last longer.
The Infinitive Phrase
14k. An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive and any modifiers or complements the infinitive has. The entire phrase can be
used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.
EXAMPLES
To make tamales quickly was hard. [The infinitive phrase
is used as a noun, as the subject of the sentence. The
infinitive has a direct object, tamales, and is modified by
the adverb quickly and by the predicate adjective hard.]
Chris is the player to watch in the next game. [The
infinitive phrase is used as an adjective modifying the
predicate nominative player. The infinitive is modified by
the adverb phrase in the next game.]
We are eager to finish this project. [The infinitive phrase
is used as an adverb modifying the predicate adjective eager.
The infinitive has a direct object, project.]
NOTE
An infinitive may have a subject. An infinitive clause consists of
an infinitive with a subject and any modifiers and complements of the
infinitive. The entire infinitive clause functions as a noun.
EXAMPLES
I wanted him to help me with my algebra. [The entire
infinitive clause is the direct object of the verb wanted. Him
is the subject of the infinitive to help. The infinitive to help
has a direct object, me, and is modified by the adverb phrase
with my algebra.]
Would Uncle Jim like us to clear the brush in the
backyard? [The entire infinitive clause is the direct object
of the verb Would like. Us is the subject of the infinitive to
clear. The infinitive to clear has a direct object brush, which
is modified by the adjective phrase in the backyard.]
Notice that a pronoun that functions as the subject of an infinitive clause is in the objective case.
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Exercise 10 Identifying and Classifying Infinitives and
Infinitive Phrases
EXAMPLE
1. Scott is the person to elect.
1. to elect—adjective
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
To dance gracefully requires coordination.
Raymond wanted to join the team.
Sandy needs to study.
I’m going to the pond to fish.
A good way to lose weight is to eat.moderately.
After our long vacation, we needed to get.back in training.
The best way to get.there is to take the bus.
Don’t you dare open that present before.your birthday.
Juanita and Matt tried to find the perfect gift.
He lives to swim and water-ski.
Exercise 11
The sign of the
infinitive, to, is sometimes
omitted. Also, a sentence
in Exercise 10 may contain
more than one infinitive
or infinitive phrase.
Identifying and Classifying Infinitive
Phrases
Identify the infinitive phrases in the following sentences. Then, tell
how each phrase is used: as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.
EXAMPLE
HELP
1. To create a miracle fabric was the aim of the chemist
Joe Shivers.
HELP
In Exercise 11
the sign of the infinitive,
to, is sometimes omitted.
1. To create a miracle fabric—noun
1. He succeeded with spandex, and athletes of all shapes and sizes
have learned to appreciate.the qualities of.his “power cloth.”
2. This material has the ability to stretch and snap back into shape.
3. Its sleek fit lessens friction to give the wearer faster movement
through air.or water.
4. Its slick surface makes an athlete such as a wrestler hard to hold.
5. To say that spandex has athletes covered is not stretching the truth.
6. Spandex is just one of many synthetic fibers to meet today’s fashion needs.
7. Nylon was the first synthetic; it originally was made to take the
place of.silk in women’s garments.
8. To replace silk was also the purpose of rayon, another early, lowpriced synthetic.
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GRAMMAR
Identify the infinitives and infinitive phrases in the following sentences. After each, tell whether it is used as a noun, an adjective, or
an adverb.
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9. Polyester, developed later, often is combined with natural fibers to
reduce wrinkling.
10. To distinguish synthetic fibers (most made from plastic) from
natural fibers is not easy.
Review F
Identifying Infinitives and Infinitive
Phrases
Identify the infinitives and infinitive phrases in the following
paragraph.
HELP
In Review F,
the sign of the
infinitive, to, is
sometimes omitted.
EXAMPLE
[1] Laurel and Hardy are a comic team to remember.
1. to remember
Go to the Chapter Menu
for an interactive activity.
[1] Together, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy have made millions of
moviegoers laugh. [2] In their day, to be funny in the movies required
the use of body language. [3] Both of them were geniuses in their ability to keep audiences laughing. [4] For his famous head scratch, Stan
grew his hair long so that he could scratch and pull it to make a comic
mess. [5] Stan also developed a hilarious cry that he used to show his
character’s childish nature. [6] He would shut his eyes tightly, pinch up
his face, and begin to wail. [7] Ollie, too, had an uncanny ability to create his own distinctive mannerisms. [8] For example, he was known for
the long-suffering look he used to express frustration. [9] He would
also waggle his tie at a person he and Stan had managed to offend and
then start giggling nervously. [10] Ollie’s intent was to make the person
less angry, but his gesture usually had the opposite effect.
Review G
Go to the Chapter Menu
for an interactive activity.
Identifying and Classifying Verbals and
Verbal Phrases
Identify each verbal or.verbal phrase in the following paragraph as a
participle, participial phrase, gerund, gerund phrase, infinitive, infinitive
phrase, or as a part of an infinitive clause.
EXAMPLE
[1] Building the railroad across the United States in the late
1800s required thousands of workers.
1. Building the railroad across the United States in the late
1800s—gerund phrase
[1] The government commissioned two companies to build railway tracks between Omaha,.Nebraska,.and Sacramento,.California.
[2] Building eastward from Sacramento, the Central Pacific Railroad
relied on Chinese workers. [3] One-fourth of the Chinese immigrants
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GRAMMAR
in the United States in 1868 helped with laying the track.
[4] The terrain was difficult to cover, but the laborers
rose to the challenge. [5] Known for their dependability,
the Chinese were strong workers. [6] Complaining was
a problem with some workers, but seldom with Chinese
laborers. [7] It was often necessary to blow up parts of
mountains, and the Chinese workers became experts at
this task. [8] Chinese and Irish workers set a record on
April 28, 1869, by spiking ten miles and fifty-six feet of
track in twelve.hours. [9] The railroad company divided
the Chinese immigrants into working groups, or gangs,
each with twelve to twenty men. [10] Keeping many of
their traditional ways, Chinese workers ate food that was
shipped to them from San Francisco’s Chinatown.
Appositives and Appositive
Phrases
14l. An appositive is a noun or a pronoun placed beside another
noun or pronoun to identify or describe it.
EXAMPLES
The sculptor Isamu Noguchi has designed sculpture
gardens. [The appositive Isamu Noguchi identifies the
noun sculptor.]
Eric, a talented musician, plans to study in Europe. [The
appositive musician describes the noun Eric.]
Those, the ones on the right, are on sale. [The appositive
ones identifies the pronoun Those.]
14m. An appositive phrase consists of an appositive and any
modifiers it has.
EXAMPLES
Lucy Sánchez, my longtime friend from my old neighborhood, has a new Scottish terrier.
Dr. Jackson has a degree in entomology, the scientific
study of insects.
N O T E Sometimes, an appositive phrase precedes the noun or pronoun
to which it refers.
EXAMPLE
The terror of our block, little Anthony was on the warpath.
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