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VERBAL PHRASES
A verbal phrase is a word that is
formed from a verb but acts as
another part of speech.
Three Types of Verbal Phrases
• The Gerund
• The Participle
• The Infinitive
Gerunds
• A GERUND is a verb form ending in -ing
that is used as a NOUN.
• It is part verb and part noun.
• We form GERUNDS by adding -ing to the
verb and using it as a subject or an object.
Examples
• Singing is fun.
– The gerund, singing, is used as a:
subject
• Shelly likes swimming.
– The gerund, swimming, is used as a:
object
• The time for wrestling has been changed.
– The gerund, wrestling, is: the object of the preposition for.
THE PARTICIPLE
The Participle
• The participle is a verb form that can be
used as an adjective.
• The participle is part verb and part
adjective.
• There are two kinds of participles: present
participles and past participles
Present Participle
• The present participle consists of the plain
form of the verb plus – ing that can be
used as an adjective.
Examples:
The pouring rain drove us inside.
• Pouring is the present participle that
modifies the noun - rain
PAST PARTICIPLE
• The past participle is formed by adding –d
or –ed to the verb.
• For example: walk – walked, smile –
smiled, and ring – rung.
Examples:
The tired artist did not complete the
painting.
- tired is the past participle modifying artist
MORE EXAMPLES
•
Darting suddenly, the cat escaped
through the door.
– Darting modifies the cat
•
•
Challenge: What part of speech is suddenly?
Waxed floors can be dangerously
slippery
- Waxed modifies the noun floors.
INFINITIVES
• An infinitive is a verb form, usually preceded
by to, that can be used as a noun, adjective,
or adverb.
• Note: to plus a noun or a pronoun is a
prepositional phrase, not an infinitive.
Examples
Sandy needs to study.
• To study is the object of the verb needs
• Here the infinitive to study is used as a noun.
Cheryl wanted to work on the play.
• To work is the object of the verb wanted
• Here the infinitive to work is used as a noun.
Examples
The place to visit is Williamsburg.
• The infinitive to visit modifies place
• Here the infinitive to visit acts as an
adjective.
Examples
•
•
•
•
Sara Miller jumped to shoot.
The infinitive to shoot modifies jumped.
Jumped is a verb
Therefore, the infinitive to shoot is acting
as an adverb in this sentence.