Verbals-forms of a verb that are used as different parts of speech

Participles

• A present participle is formed by adding –ing to a verb.

• A past participle is formed by adding –ed to a verb.

Participles continued….

• A participle can function as the main verb in a verb phrase…• The biplane was soaring.• The flight had astounded skeptics.

• …or as an adjective to modify nouns or pronouns.• The soaring biplane flew 120 feet.

Participial Phrases

Sometimes a participle that is used as an adjective is part of a phrase called a participial phrase.• A participial phrase is a group of words

that contains a participle and other words that complete its meaning.

The biplane displayed here is a model of the Flyer.The model, shaped with care, attracts many visitors.

Show What You Know!Write each participle and determine whether it’s

part of a verb phrase or used as an adjective.

1. People throughout the world have considered the flying Wright brothers the first pilots.

2. Even as young children, the Wright brothers were fascinated by machines of all types.

3. Otto Lilienthal did pioneering work.

Check!

1. People throughout the world have considered the flying Wright brothers the first pilots.

1. Part of verb phrase 2. Adjective

2. Even as young children, the Wright brothers were fascinated by machines of all types.

Part of verb phrase

3. Otto Lilienthal did pioneering work. Adjective

Show What You Know!Write each participial phrase. Then write the word

that the phrase describes.

1. Witnessed by only a few, the first successful flight gained little recognition for the Wright brothers.

2. A statement issued to the press about the Wright brothers’ achievements received almost no recognition.

3. The Wright brothers’ basic principles, used in airplanes even today, have stood the test of time.

Check!Witnessed by only a few, the first successfulflight gained little recognition for the Wrightbrothers.describes “flight” (notice how the sentence begins with

the p.phrase, so the phrase must be set of by a comma)

A statement issued to the press about the Wrightbrothers’ achievements received almost no recognition. describes “statement” (this information is

necessary, so it is not offset by commas)

The Wright brothers’ basic principles, used inairplanes even today, have stood the test of time.

describes “principles” (this is nonessential information, so it is set off with commas)

Refresher!Present participle = verb + ingPast participle = verb + ed

Participles can functions as main verbs or adjectives.

**Don’t confuse the past participle was the past form of a verb.**

The drummer joined the band. (past form)The drummer had joined the band. (past participle)

Participial phrase = participle + additional words**Functions as an adjective…can appear before or

after the word it describes.**

**Be sure to place the phrase as close as possible to the modified word to avoid confusion.

Growling furiously, the bear clawed at the bars of its cage.

Practice What You Know

Write each participle and determine whether it’s part of a verb phrase or used as an adjective.

1. The young campers had an exciting time.

2. The mystery had baffled the police.

3. The roaring lion scared us.

Check!

1. The young campers had an exciting time.Excite + ing; adjective

2. The mystery had baffled the police.Baffle + ed; verb

3. The roaring lion scared us. Roar + ing; adjective

Practice What You Know! Write each participial phrase. Then write the

word that the phrase describes.

1. The insects mounted in this frame are part of a much larger collection.

2. Scattering in all directions, the campers evaded the skunk.

3. This animal, scampering along many wooded areas, lives only in the Western Hemisphere.

Check!

1. The insects mounted in this frame are part of a much larger collection.

2. Scattering in all directions, the campers evaded the skunk. (Notice that “evaded” is a verb ending in –ed, but it is not part of a verb phrase or used as an adjective )

3. This animal, scampering along many wooded areas, lives only in the Western Hemisphere.

Gerunds

A gerund is a verb form that ends in –ing and is used as a noun.

Gerunds often function as the subject.

Moving involves a lot of work.

Continued…

At other times, a gerund functions as the direct object of a verb. (Direct objects of verbs receive the action of the verb! They answer the questions whom? and what? after an action verb.)

People enjoy traveling.

Reminder!

**Don’t confuse gerunds with other verb forms ending in –ing. Remember, they have different functions

- Megan has been packing. (main verb in verb phrase)

- She will take an exciting trip. (participle used as an adjective)

- Traveling will be fast. (gerund)

Gerund Phrase

A gerund phrase is a group of words that include a gerund and other words that complete its meaning.

Many jobs require long-distance traveling around the country.

Choosing the best mode of travel takes some consideration.

Show What You Know!

Determine whether the underlined word is the main verb, participle used as an adjective, or a gerund.

1. Commerce requires moving goods between places.

2. For centuries people had exchanged one kind of goods for another.

3. People had been transporting objects long before the invention of the wheel.

4. Trade produced increased contact among differing groups of people.

Check!

1. Commerce requires moving goods between places.

2. For centuries people had exchanged one kind of goods for another.

3. People had been transporting objects long before the invention of the wheel.

4. Trade produced increased contact among differing groups of people.

gerund

main verb

main verb

adjective

Show What You Know!Write each gerund phrase. Determine whether

it’s a subject or direct object.

1. Assigning the chores took longer than expected.

2. The family enjoyed fishing in the bayou.3. The car barely avoided hitting the deer.4. Eating large amounts of fudge is fattening.

Check!

1. Assigning the chores took longer than expected. -Subject

2. The family enjoyed fishing in the bayou. –Direct object

3. The car barely avoided hitting the deer. – Direct Object

4. Eating large amounts of fudge is fattening. - Subject

Show What You Already Know

Before:

1. I need to finish my homework.

2. I love to hug my collie.

3. To write the article for the school newspaper took talent.

Refresher…

Verb forms that are used as adjectives and nouns are called verbals.

Participles and gerunds are two kinds of verbals.

Participles acts as adjectives.

Gerunds act as nouns.

Infinitives and Infinitive PhrasesAn infinitive is formed from the word to together with the

base form of a verb. Infinitives are often used as nouns (either subjects or direct objects), but they can also function as adjectives and adverbs.

When to is used as part of an infinitive, it is not a preposition.

To fly has been a dream of humans since ancient times. [infinitive as subject]

Most people like to sing. [infinitive as direct object]We rode the bus to the mall, [prepositional phrase]

More examples…

Many children like to skate. [infinitive]Some adults skate to their jobs. [prepositional

phrase]

To stop is sometimes difficult. [inf. as subject]Beginning skaters need to practice. [inf. as direct

object]

Infinitive Phrases

An infinitive phrase is a group of words that includes an infinitive and other words that complete its meaning.

To skate on cracked sidewalks demands practice.

To keep one’s promise is a sign of good character.

Show What You Know!Determine whether each underlined phrase is

an infinitive or prepositional phrase.

1. To wait in city traffic is difficult for people in a hurry.

2. Some people can walk to their jobs.3. Others like to bicycle.4. People often enjoy skating to music at indoor

rinks.

Check!

1. To wait in city traffic is difficult for people in a hurry.

2. Some people can walk to their jobs.

3. Others like to bicycle.

4. People often enjoy skating to music at indoor rinks.

Infinitive phrasePrep. phrase

Infinitive phrase

Prep. phrase

More Practice Write each infinitive phrase and whether it is

used as a subject or direct object.

1. I need to finish my homework.2. I love to hug my collie.3. To write the article for the school newspaper

took talent.

(After: Show What You Know Reflection)Check!

None of them are prepositional phrases!

1. I need to finish my homework. Direct Object

2. I love to hug my collie. Direct Object

3. To write the article for the school newspaper took talent. Subject