Subject Code English 1 Communication Arts I and Philippine Literature in English

Module Code 21.0 Phrases

Lesson Code 21.3 Verbals
Time Limit 30 minutes

Components Time Allotment Actual Time Allotted

Target 1 minute

Hook 2 minutes

Ignite 10 minutes

Navigate 16 minutes

Knot 1 minute

STUDENT’S COPY

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 TARGET
By the end of this module, the learner should be able to:
✔ differentiate verbals from verbs;
✔ compare and contrast the forms of the different verbals; and
✔ Compare and contrast the functions of the different verbals.

HOOK
Verbs and verbals sound very much alike, but are they? Verbs are parts of speech but are verbals also
parts of speech? Let us discover.

Verbs show action or a state of being in a sentence. When they are used as other parts of speech, they
are called verbals. Although verbals are derived from verbs, they function differently from verbs.

Verbals are important in writing because they give clarity. They add variety, conciseness, and flow.

Here are examples to show how verbs and verbals are used:

Verbs
1. We are Filipinos.
2. My friend joined the Christmas party.

The words are and joined are verbs. They show a state and action respectively.

Verbals
1. It is a common Filipino activity to sing during parties.
2. Her hobby is singing.

The word is in sentence 1 is a verb while to sing is a verbal (infinitive).

Is in sentence 2 is a verb while singing is a verbal (gerund).

Here’s another example that illustrates how verbals create variety, clarity, and flow in a paragraph.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Original Verbal Example:

James ran from the dog. He hid behind a tree. He knew he couldn’t stay there for long, though. He could
hear the dog. It was approaching him. It snarled and growled. He tried to think of somewhere else he
could go. Then he saw the barn. Would he be able to get to it without the dog first spotting him? James
wasn’t sure, but he thought he should probably run to it. It was his only real option.

Revised Verbal Example:

Running away from the dog, James hid behind a tree. He knew he couldn’t stay there for long, though.
He could hear the approaching dog, snarling and growling. He tried to think of somewhere else to go.
Then he saw the barn. Would he be able to get to it without the dog first spotting him? James wasn’t
sure, but he thought running to it was his only real option.

Source: Verbs vs. Verbals (n.d) Retrieved from https://www.k12reader.com/term/verbals/

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 IGNITE
VERBALS: A REVIEW

From previous lessons, you have learned that before you write, you need to know your audience and
purpose. Knowing that, you still need to write in a manner where your purpose is clear and that your
chosen audience will be able to understand you clearly and correctly. One way to achieve clarity is
to go beyond the basic parts of speech.

When used correctly, verbals help achieve clarity and conciseness that any audience will appreciate
and that will serve any purpose.

Three Types of Verbals

1. Infinitives - to combined with a verb is an infinitive

Example:

Gina loves to sing.

To sing is the infinitive and loves is the verb. To sing functions as a noun.
Note: to is not considered as a preposition.

2. Participles

Examples:
a. Present participle
Crying, she called her friend and apologized.
Crying modifies she. It is a verbal (present participle)

b. Past Participle
He had a surprised look on his face when he learned he won the lottery.
Surprised modifies look. It is a verbal (past participle)

3. Gerunds

Example:
Kyla’ s favorite fitness routine is running.

1. Verbals: Infinitives
An infinitive is a verb form (often preceded by "to," e.g., "to wait," "to praise") that can function as
a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. For example:

An infinitive as a noun:

● To achieve is always her goal. (The infinitive is the subject of "is.")

An infinitive as an adjective:

● I marked the books to be put on sale. (The infinitive “to be” together with the
infinitive phrase “put on sale” modifies the word "books.")

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An infinitive as an adverb:

● Merci stayed up all night to study Calculus. (The infinitive “to study” answers the
adverb question, “Why did Merci stay up all night?”. The same infinitive can also
be moved to the beginning of the sentence: To study Calculus, Merci stayed up all
night.)

2. Verbals: Participles
A participle is a verb form that functions as an adjective.

There are two types of participles: the present participle (ending "ing") and the past participle (usually
ending "-ed,"" -d,"" -t,"" -en," or "-n").

Here are some participles being used as adjectives:

The Verb The Present Participle The Past Participle

To freeze the freezing meat the frozen meat

To rise the rising temperature the risen temperature

To shatter the shattering mirror the shattered mirror

3. Verbals: Gerunds
Gerunds look like present participles because they also end in ‘ing.’ However, gerunds are nouns,
not adjectives.

Functions of Gerunds

1. As a subject
Reading is her hobby.

2. As an object of verb
Andy loves cleaning out the storage room.

3. As an object of preposition
Forrest Gump got home quickly because he ran without stopping.

4. As a predicate nominative
The most popular hobby among all my friends always has been reading.

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 NAVIGATE
GRADED FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT: Identifying the Correct Verbal

Instructions: Choose the correct verbals by underlying them in the sentences below. After you
have chosen the verbal in each sentence, identify what kind it is (participle, infinitive, gerund).
You may refer back to the discussion beforehand so you will be guided in choosing your answers.
(10 points)

Example:
Fran aims for a balanced lifestyle. - participle

1. That is an amazing talent you have.

2. John’s goal is to finish the novel.
3. There are different ways of studying for tests.
4. The woman accused of stealing is actually innocent.
5. The finished house is a work of art.
6. Blessed with so much talent, Ralph breezed through the audition.
7. Annette’s constant whining disturbs all of us.
8. Don’t cry over spilled milk.
9. Tending to my garden is an activity I enjoy.
10. His idea of a good weekend is to watch reruns of his favorite show.

KNOT
When we write, we do not only consider correct grammar. We should write to make sense and we
should aim to be understood clearly.

• Verbals are derived from verbs.

• The different kinds of verbals are infinitives, participles (present and past), and gerunds.
• These verbals function as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.

Consider using verbals when writing because they help achieve conciseness, variety, and flow.

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References:

1. Comparing gerunds, participles and infinitives (n.d.) Retrieved from

http://www.owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/mechanics/gerunds_participles_and_infinitives

/comparing_gerunds_participles_and_infinitives.html

2. The elements of style (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.jlakes.org/ch/web/The-elements-of-style.pdf

3. Verbals (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.texasgateway.org/

4. What are verbals? (n.d.) Retrieved from https://natureofwriting.com/

Prepared by: Reviewed by:

MA. PAZ G. MONTERO FLORALIE L. INAYAN

Special Science Teacher II Special Science Teacher II
Western Visayas Campus Western Visayas Campus

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