English includes words that look and sound like verbs but are not serving a sentence as such. You likely hear them often:<\/p>\n
You said you like skydiving<\/u>? What about cliff jumping<\/u>?<\/em><\/p>\n
The door was closed<\/u>, so I couldn’t hear them\u2014their voices were muffled<\/u>.<\/em><\/p>\n
Alexander said their plan is to escape<\/u>.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Each underlined word is an example of what is known in English grammar as a verbal.<\/p>\n
What Is a Verbal?<\/h2>\n
A verbal is a verb operating as another part of speech, such as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. A verbal also can function in different sentence roles such as subject, direct object, subject complement<\/a>, and object of a preposition.<\/p>\n
Verbals have three forms: gerunds, participles, and infinitives<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Verbals: Gerunds<\/h2>\n
Also known as a verbal noun, a gerund adds -ing<\/em> to the end of a verb and becomes a noun, e.g., running<\/em>, swimming<\/em>, biking, hiking<\/em>.<\/p>\n
Examples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Running<\/u> is Jason’s favorite form of exercise. (subject)<\/p>\n
Yolanda would like to coach competitive swimming<\/u> this summer. (direct object<\/a>)<\/p>\n
Those pumps aren’t the best shoes for biking<\/u>. (object of a preposition)<\/p>\n
Priscilla has many passions, but her main one is hiking<\/u>. (subject complement)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Verbals: Participles<\/h2>\n
A participle is a past (-ed<\/em>, -en<\/em>) or present (-ing<\/em>) form of a verb being used as an adjective, e.g., streaming<\/em>, falling <\/em>(present); raised<\/em>, praised <\/em>(past).<\/p>\n
Examples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
The team celebrated under the streaming<\/u> ribbons and falling<\/u> confetti.<\/p>\n
Jos\u00e9\u00a0likes the home design with the raised<\/u> roof.<\/p>\n
Natalia’s highly praised<\/u> article addressed the latest topic of local discussion.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Verbals: Infinitives<\/h2>\n
An infinitive is the base form of a verb before it is conjugated. It consists of the word to <\/em>and the present form of the verb (the infinitive stem): e.g., to finish, to train, to know, to grow.<\/em><\/p>\n
As a verbal, it can function as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.<\/em><\/p>\n
Examples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Is this the book you want to finish<\/u>? (adjective modifying book<\/em>)<\/p>\n
Roger went to the sporting complex to train<\/u>. (adverb modifying went<\/em>)<\/p>\n
To know<\/u> is to grow<\/u>. (nouns: subject and subject complement)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
What Are Verbal Phrases?<\/h2>\n
So far we have discussed the definition and function of verbals. When we add modifiers to a verbal, we create a verbal phrase.<\/p>\n
Examples<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Running two miles around the track<\/u> is Jason’s favorite form of exercise.<\/p>\n
Have you read Natalia’s article praised for its topic of local discussion<\/u>?<\/p>\n
To know yourself<\/u> is to grow in yourself<\/u>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Each sentence includes a verbal with other words that add to its meaning.<\/p>\n
A verbal phrase further can be what is referred to as an absolute verbal phrase. In this context, the phrase does not modify a specific sentence element such as a noun or a verb. Rather, the absolute verbal phrase acts as a looser modifier of the whole sentence.<\/p>\n
Some absolute verbal phrases are casual expressions with an infinitive or a participle:<\/p>\n
Speaking of technology<\/u>, when are you finishing your robotic-lawnmower prototype?<\/p>\n
To put it mildly<\/u>, that summer dress is the most garish garment I’ve ever seen.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
As you can see, each verbal phrase stands apart in its description, adding observation or interjection to the entire statement as opposed to enhancing a speech part. In this way, it serves as a type of sentence modifier<\/a>.<\/p>\n
An absolute verbal phrase might also be what’s known as a nominative absolute, which is a phrase starting with a noun or a pronoun that serves as the verbal’s subject. Nominative absolutes often identify causes or add details in a sentence and make it more formal.<\/p>\n
His archives lost in the blaze<\/u>, Charles began trying to restore what information he could from his memory.<\/em><\/p>\n
The rain falling hard upon the waves<\/u>, we began the voyage toward the uncharted island.<\/em><\/p>\n
Hat tipped toward his nose<\/u>, toothpick rolling lazily on his lip<\/u>, the gunslinger stepped through the saloon’s swinging doors.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Related Topic<\/h3>\n
What Are Participles? (Including Examples and Usage)<\/a>
\nWhat Is a Gerund and Why Care?<\/a><\/p>\nPop Quiz<\/h2>\n
In each sentence, identify 1) the verbal or verbal phrase, 2) its form (gerund, participle, infinitive), and 3) its part of speech (noun, adverb, or adjective).<\/p>\n
1. Listening is a valuable skill.<\/p>\n
2. Your best bet in this situation is taking your mother’s advice.<\/p>\n
3. This is the first of Enoch’s many awards earned with great dedication and sacrifice.<\/p>\n
4. Tabitha has many stories to tell.<\/p>\n
5. The young people of the savannah village walked to the makeshift schoolhouse each day to pursue their education.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Pop Quiz Answers<\/h3>\n
1. Listening<\/u> is a valuable skill. gerund, noun<\/strong><\/p>\n
2. Your best bet in this situation is taking your mother’s advice<\/u>. gerund, noun<\/strong><\/p>\n
3. This is the first of Enoch’s many awards earned with great dedication and sacrifice<\/u>. participle, adjective<\/strong><\/p>\n
4. Tabitha has many stories to tell<\/u>. infinitive, adjective<\/strong><\/p>\n
5. The young people of the village walked to the makeshift schoolhouse each day to pursue their education<\/u>. infinitive, adverb<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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