Download verbal phrases

VERBAL PHRASES
Verbal = a form of a verb that is used as another part of speech
 Looks like a verb
 May be modified by adverbs, may have complements
 Used as adjectives, adverbs, nouns
 3 verbals = participle, gerund, infinitive
THE PARTICIPLE
 A form of a verb used as an adjective (modifies a noun/ pronoun) * can come before
or after the noun or can be a predicate adjective following a linking verb
Three types of participles:
1. Present participle = plain form of verb + ing Cry + ing
P
V
Example: The crying baby needed to be changed.
2. Past participle = plain form of verb + ed Disgust + ed
P
V
Example: Disgusted, Len walked away without saying goodbye.
3. Perfect participle= “having” + past tense verb
P
V
Example: Having won the game, Suzy ran around the field.
THE PARTICIPIAL PHRASE
 Participial phrase = 1 participle + all complements and modifiers
Example with modifiers:
PP
V
Studying carefully, she learned much about Native American people.
Example with a complement:
PP
V
Her sister, using a calm voice, told us to stand still.
A dangling participle is a phrase that doesn’t seem to modify anythingExample: Having worked hard on the painting, the finished piece was wonderful.
correction: Having worked hard on the painting, I thought the finished piece was wonderful.
**Show time through tense- can be constructed in active and passive tenses**
 nonrestrictive ( unnecessary) participle phrases are set off by commas
 restrictive ( necessary) are not set off by commas
Questions to ask- is it an adjective or part of a verb phrase?
Can the participle be used in front of the noun (relaxing exercise)?
Does it make sense when used after seems ( seems relaxing)?
Can it be compared (most relaxing) or modified ( very relaxing)?
If the answer to any is Yes, then the participle adjective, not verb phrase
THE GERUND
 A form of a verb that is used as a noun
 Plain form of the verb + ing
 can be active or passiveMaking the team is Kevin’s goal ( active)
Being chosen for the team is Kevin’s goal. ( Passive)
Ways in which a gerund can function in a sentence:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
As a subject—Swimming is a favorite hobby of mine.
As a predicate nominative—One relaxing exercise is swimming.
As a direct object—The Jones family enjoys swimming
As an indirect object—His performance gives swimming a bad reputation.
As an object of a preposition—I will lose weight by swimming.
GERUND PHRASES
 A gerund + all complements and modifiers
 Entire phrase = 1 noun
 Be careful not to confuse gerund phrases and participle phrases
Gerund- singing softly was difficult.
Participle- singing softly, he calmed the baby.
Gerund- we began singing the song.
Participle- The girl singing the song is Pat.
THE INFINITIVE
 To + plain form of the verb
 A type of a verbal that is used as either NOUN
ADJECTIVE
EXAMPLES:
As a noun (DO) —A professional dancer needs to practice.
ADVERB
as a noun (subject)—To cook is a necessary skill.
as a noun ( subject compliment) – His plan was to change the world.
as a noun (appositive) – The team’s goal, to win the big game, meant practicing every
day.
As an adjective—The player to watch is the quarterback. (* always follow noun)
As an adverb—The student used the spell checker to edit the paper.
NOTE: to + verb = infinitive
to + noun = prepositional phrase
NOTE: infinitives can be split with an adverb, though proper writing dictates avoiding
the split- We were told to carefully view each star. - is much better as- We were told to view
each star carefully.
NOTE: Sometimes “to” will be omitted in the sentence- still counts!!
Can be simple or perfect forms and be active or passive tense
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Simple active- My job is to peel the potatoes.
simple passive- These potatoes are to be peeled for the stew.
perfect active: My goal is to have peeled the potatoes by 4 pm.
perfect passive: Those potatoes were to have been peeled by my sister.
THE INFINITIVE PHRASE
 The infinitive + all complements & modifiers
EXAMPLES: To interrupt a speaker abruptly is impolite.
She is the person to see about a job.
We were glad to hear an answer
Example: Slave labor helped build many Aztec buildings.