Verbals Participles Gerunds Infinitives. What Are Verbals? Verbals are forms of action verbs that do NOT function as verbs. Instead, they function as.

VerbalsParticiples

Gerunds

Infinitives

What Are Verbals?

Verbals are forms of action verbs that do NOT function as verbs.

Instead, they function as the following:Adjectives (participles)Nouns (gerunds)Noun, adjective, or adverb (infinitive)

Overview of Nouns

1. ___________ is enjoyable.

2. I like _____________.

3. My favorite activity is ____________.

4. I am hooked on ______________.

5. My favorite activity, ___________ , is enjoyable.

Subject

DO

PN

OP

appositive

What Are Gerunds? A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that acts as a

noun. A gerund can be a subject, direct object, object of

preposition, predicate nominative, or appositive. Hence, it can be anywhere in a sentence.

Examples:

1. Swimming is great exercise! (gerund as subject)

2. For exercise I love swimming! (gerund as direct object)

3. I get exercise by swimming! (gerund as object of preposition)

4. My favorite type of exercise is swimming! (gerund as predicate nominative)

5. The best form of exercise, swimming, is fun! (gerund as appositive)

What Are Gerund Phrases? A gerund phrase …

consists of a gerund and its complements and modifiers (related words that further describe or complete the gerund’s meaning); the gerund can be anywhere within the phrase.

acts as a noun (S, DO, OP, PN, App.). can be in different positions in a sentence. can be replaced by the word itGerund Phrase = gerund + complements/modifiers

Examples:

1. Running a mile daily helps me stay fit.2. To stay fit, I enjoy running a mile daily.3. I stay fit by running a mile daily.

Gerund phrase as subject

Gerund phrase as direct object

Gerund phrase as object of preposition

How to Find Gerunds and Gerund Phrases

1. Look for the predicate (main verb) of the sentence, and underline it twice.He enjoys reading mystery novels.

2. Then find the subject by asking who? or what? before the predicate (a gerund or gerund phrase could be the subject), and underline it once.He enjoys reading mystery novels.

3. Look for an action verb that ends in –ing and see if it (and its related words) can be replaced with the word it. Be careful! If the word ending in -ing has a helping verb before it or if it is describing another word, it is a participle not a gerund!He enjoys reading mystery novels.

Gerund phrase - contains a gerund and the whole phrase can be replaced with the word it

How Are Gerunds Punctuated?

A gerund or gerund phrase usually does NOT require any punctuation because it usually functions as a S, DO, PN, or OP, which are not set off with commas!

Exception: Gerunds or gerund phrases that function as nonessential appositives are set off with commas.

Example:

My favorite exercise, swimming, keeps me fit!

Commas needed because swimming functions as a nonessential appositive!

Find the gerund or gerund phrase in the following sentence. Also, identify its function: S, DO, OP, PN, or A.

Flying usually reduces travel time but increases costs.


Flying usually reduces travel time but increases costs.

Gerund as subject!


I usually enjoy watching old movies.


I usually enjoy watching old movies.

The entire gerund phrase acts as the direct object!


Camping in the woods is great fun!


Camping in the woods is great fun!

The entire gerund phrase acts as the subject!


My father likes to exercise his mind by working crossword puzzles.


My father likes to exercise his mind by working crossword puzzles.

The entire gerund phrase acts as the object of the preposition by!


The best stress reducer, exercising, is also a great way to lose weight.


The best stress reducer, exercising, is also a great way to lose weight.

Gerund as nonessential appositive!


My best stress reducer is exercising.


My best stress reducer is exercising.

Gerund as predicate nominative!

Don’t confuse a gerund with a participle because both can end in -ing!Gerund = nounParticiple = adjective or part of verb phrase (when preceded by a helping verb)

1. The dogs barking in my neighborhood (essential participial phrase) scared the intruders.

2. The dogs in my neighborhood were barking (participle as part of verb phrase) at intruders.

3. Barking loudly at intruders (introductory participial phrase), the dogs in my neighborhood woke me up.

4. Our dog Spot alerted us by barking loudly at intruders (gerund phrase as object of preposition).

5. Barking loudly at intruders (gerund phrase as subject) makes Spot a good watchdog.

Which sentence contains a gerund or gerund phrase?

1. The screaming child was getting on my nerves.

2. Screaming loudly is a great way to get on my nerves.


1. The screaming child was getting on my nerves.

2. Screaming loudly is a great way to get on my nerves.

gerund phrase as subject

participle

predicate


1. The students sitting on the sidewalk were tired from the long walk.

2. The students rested after the long walk by sitting on the sidewalk.


1. The students sitting on the sidewalk were tired from the long walk.

2. The students rested after the long walk by sitting on the sidewalk.

Participial phrase

gerund phrase as object of the preposition by


1. My sister recently quit smoking.

2. My sister recently quit her bad smoking habit.


1. My sister recently quit smoking.

2. My sister recently quit her nasty smoking habit.

participle

gerund as direct object

Verbals Participles Gerunds Infinitives. What Are Verbals? Verbals are forms of action verbs that do NOT function as verbs. Instead, they function as.

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