Download How to use verbals

The Writing Centre
How to use verbals: gerunds, participles, and
infinitives
Verbals are words based on verbs that act in ways other than as verbs in the sentence. Here is a basic guide to their
use.
1.
Gerunds are verbals that act as nouns. They always end in -ing
Swimming is a popular sport in Australia. What are we talking about? We are talking about the sport or pastime
named “swimming”. It’s like Steak is a popular food in Australia. The noun “steak” is the subject of the verb “is,”
just like the gerund “swimming” is in the first sentence. Gerunds can also act as objects of the verb, as in the
sentence Australians love swimming. (Like Australians love steak.)
2.
Participles are verbals that often act like adjectives. Present participles end in –ing, exactly the same as
gerunds. They are used for describing in terms of actions done by the thing being described. Past participles end
in -ed, -en, -d, -t, -n, or –ne, and are used for actions done to the thing being described.
The barking dog woke up the entire family. What kind of dog is it? Big, vicious, black? No - It’s a barking dog.
“Barking” is acting as an adjective modifying “dog.” Note: the dog is doing the barking.
The broken pipe made everything in the basement wet. What kind of pipe is it? Round? Lead? thick? No it’s a
broken pipe. Note: the break has been done to the pipe.
The locked door could not be opened. What kind of door is it? Arched? Wooden? Narrow? No, it’s locked. Note:
the locking has been done to the door.
3.
Infinitives are verbals made up of the word “to” plus a simple verb. They act in various ways, as nouns, or as
qualifiers of (adders of information to) nouns, verbs, adjectives, prepositions.
To swim is good exercise. Here the infinitive “to swim” is acting as the subject of the verb “is”, like a noun
would. You can also write, Australians love to swim. In this sentence the infinitive is acting like a noun as the
direct object of the verb “love”. In both cases you can see a parallel between number 1., the gerund, above, and
often in this situation we can choose either approach. Usually the choice is aesthetic rather than meaningful.
The infinitive can be used to qualify a noun like an adjective would.
She chose a place to swim. “To swim” qualifies the noun “place.” (What kind of a place is it?)
The infinitive can be used to qualify a verb, like an adverb would.
He swam to relax. “To relax” qualifies the verb “swam” (answering the question, “why?”).
The infinitive can be used to qualify an adjective like an adverb would.
The swimming bath is easy to find. “To find” qualifies the adjective “easy.”
The champion is about to swim. Here the infinitive is the object of the preposition “about.”
John Hill, 2017