McLeod/Practical Grammar
Verbals
Types
1. Infinitives--function as nouns, adverbs, adjectives, or are complementary to verb; forms
with a “to” followed by the base form of verb
2. Gerunds--functions as a noun; ends in –ing
3. Participles--function as adjectives; formed with either present participle (--ing) or past
participle (--ed, --en, --nt, or different form altogether if a weak or irregular verb)
Infinitives
Noun function
1.
2.
3.
4.
Takes the place of a noun in the sentence; can serve any noun function
Usually passes “it” or “something” replacement test
No punctuation necessary, unless used as an appositive
Diagram on a pedestal with “to” on a diagonal line as in a prepositional phrase
Adverb function
Verb modifier
1. Answers typical adverb questions (when, where, why, how)
2. Can move around the sentence (usually works at the beginning or end of
the sentence)
3. “in order to” test—insert “in order to” before the verb to determine
whether the infinitive is an adverb modifying a verb
4. Diagram under the verb they modify just as you would a prepositional
phrase that functions as an adverb
Adjective modifier
1. Not moveable
2. Doesn’t pass the “in order to” test
3. Adverbs by virtue of the fact that they follow an adjective (only adverbs
can modify adjectives)
4. Diagram under the adjective they modify just as you would a prepositional
phrase that functions as an adverb
Adjective function
1. Modifies the noun that directly precedes it
2. Diagram under the noun they modify just as you would a prepositional
phrase that functions as an adjective
Complementary function
1. Completes the meaning of the main verb
2. Use process of elimination through the above tests (i.e. can you replace it
with a pronoun? Can you insert “in order to”? Can you move it? Does it
follow an adjective? Does it follow a noun?
3. If it’s preceded by a verb and it can’t be separated from the verb, then it’s
a complementary infinitive.
4. Diagram on same line as main verb
Gerunds
1. Always ends in –ing
2. Always used as a noun
3. Use pronoun replacement test
4. Be careful to differentiate from progressive verbs
5. Diagram on pedestal with step structure
Participles
1. Formed with present or past participle
2. Always behaves as adjective
3. If positioned at beginning of sentence, must modify subject of sentence. If positioned at
end of sentence, a comma indicated it modifies subject; no comma indicates it modifies
noun directly preceding it.
4. May occur as phrases or single words; in active or passive voice