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Verbals

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 What are Verbals ?

A verbal is a verb form that acts as another

part of speech—either as a noun, an
adjective, or an adverb.

Participles, gerunds, and infinitives are the

three verbal types.
 Gerund
A gerund is a verbal that is formed from
a verb that ends in -ing and functions
as a noun. Gerund (OP)

Soha has always wanted to go into teaching.

Soha is teaching ninth graders.
Not Gerund ,..verb phrase showing action
The crying baby slept at last.
Not Gerund ,..participle ….describing “baby”
 Gerund Phrase
A gerund phrase includes the gerund, and
any modifiers and complements.
By functioning as a noun, gerunds and
gerund phrases can act as:
subjects, direct objects, indirect objects,
predicate nominatives, or objects of a
preposition , appositives in a sentence.
 Gerund / Gerund Phrase

– Swimming the mile is my best event.

– Swimming the mile is my best event. (Subject)

– I like swimming the mile.

– I like swimming the mile. (DO)

– My best event is swimming the mile.

– My best event is swimming the mile. (PN)

 Gerund / Gerund Phrase
– I gave swimming the mile a try.

– I gave swimming the mile a try. (IO)

– He lectured us about swimming the mile.

– He lectured us about swimming the mile. (OP)

– My best event, swimming the mile, was

canceled.
– My best event, swimming the mile, was
canceled. (APP)
 Gerund / Gerund Phrase
EXAMPLES:

– His sister was dancing in the show.

– I hate practicing the piano.

– I gave my mom’s cooking a perfect 10.

– Sitting by the pool is quite relaxing.

– Wishing upon a star, Sue imagined a better life.

– While I was walking on the beach, I found a sand

dollar.
 Gerund / Gerund Phrase
ANSWERS:

– His sister was dancing in the show. (not a gerund, verb phrase)

– I hate practicing the piano. (DO)

– I gave my mom’s cooking a perfect 10. (IO)

– Sitting by the pool is quite relaxing. (S)

– Wishing upon a star, Sue imagined a better life.

(not a gerund, participial phrase)

– While I was walking on the beach, I found a sand dollar.

(not a gerund, verb phrase)
phrase
 Gerund / Gerund Phrase
EXAMPLES:

– Becoming a doctor takes years of serious study.

– Kino’s specialty is cooking mushrooms.

– The subtle squeaking of the door hinges told Mira

that her sister was home.

– Carla decided on writing about famous women in

history.

– Mr. Riley enjoys the crackling of a campfire on a

winter’s evening.
 Gerund / Gerund Phrase
ANSWERS:

– Becoming a doctor takes years of serious study. (S)

– Kino’s specialty is cooking mushrooms. (PN)

– The subtle squeaking of the door hinges told Mira that her
sister was home. (S)

– Carla decided on writing about famous women in history.

(OP)

– Mr. Riley enjoys the crackling of a campfire on a winter’s

evening. (DO)
 Gerund / Gerund Phrase
EXAMPLES:

– Traveling to new and interesting places is fun.

– The smiling child amused his parents.

– Give playing golf another chance.

– Pam is studying for her French exam.

– Holding onto the kite, Jeremy received a cut.

 Gerund / Gerund Phrase
ANSWERS:

– Traveling to new and interesting places is fun. (S)

– The smiling child amused his parents. (not a gerund, participle)

– Give playing golf another chance. (IO)

– Pam is studying for her French exam. (not a gerund, verb phrase)

– Holding onto the kite, Jeremy received a cut.

(not a gerund, participial phrase)
 Patterns to look for…p. 65

I am considering joining the

drama club.
Verb Followed by
gerund
He recommends reading Poe’s
V+Gerund stories.
 Patterns to look for…p. 65

Preposition It aims at keeping you warm in

Followed by the winter.
gerund

prep+Gerund She is accused of being

negligent.
 Patterns to look for…p. 65

Adjective and She is afraid of expressing her

preposition true feelings.
followed by
gerund
I am terrible at sketching.
adj+prep+Gerund