LESSON 1: GERUNDS
A verbal is a word that is formed from a
verb and that acts as a noun, an
adjective, or an adverb.
There are three kinds of verbals: gerunds,
participles, and infinitives.
GERUNDS
A gerund is a verbal that ends in –ing and
acts as a noun.
A gerund phrase consists of the gerund
with its modifiers and complements.
GERUNDS
Gerunds may be used as subjects,
predicate nouns, direct objects, indirect
objects, or objects of prepositions.
GERUNDS
The loud barking of the dogs woke up our
neighbor.
Gerund______________
Use_____________
GERUNDS
They are experts at controlling sheep and
cows.
Gerund____________
Use_____________
GERUNDS
These dogs like working.
Gerund____________
Use_____________
GERUNDS
Herding is something that border collies
do well.
Gerund__________
Use_____________
GERUNDS
They give herding their full attention
Gerund___________
Use______________
GERUNDS
It is their running that directs other
animals.
Gerund____________
Use_____________
GERUNDS
Gerunds are good words for describing
activities because they imply action.
LESSON 2: PARTICIPLES
A participle is a verb form that acts as an
adjective.
A participial phrase consists of a
participle along with its modifiers and
complements.
PARTICIPLES
Like all adjectives, participles and
participial phrases can modify nouns
and pronouns.
PARTICIPLES
A tired hiker woke a sleeping bear.
Participle 1: ________________
Word it modifies: ________________
Participle 2: ________________
Word it modifies: ________________
PRESENT PARTICIPLES
Present participles always end in –ing.
Growling, the bear rose from his
slumber.
Participle: __________
Word it modifies: __________
PAST PARTICIPLES
Past participles of regular verbs end in –
ed.
The terrified traveler wanted to run.
Participle: __________
Word it modifies: __________
IRREGULAR PAST PARTICIPLES
Past participles of irregular verbs are
formed in a variety of ways.
Frozen by fear, he was grateful that the
bear only licked him.
Participle: __________
Word it modifies: __________
WORDS THAT END IN -ING
Words that end in –ing can be confusing
because they can be a gerund, a
participle, or part of a verb phrase. Here
is how you can tell.
WORDS THAT END IN -ING
Gerunds can be replaced by another noun.
We were annoyed by the moth’s fluttering.
Gerund
___________
Replacement
__________
WORDS THAT END IN -ING
Participles can be replaced by another
adjective.
The moth’s fluttering wings were white.
Participle:________________
Replacement: ________________
PRESENT PARTICIPLES AND HELPING VERBS
Present participles of a verb will always be
preceded by a helping verb.
The moth was fluttering in the breeze.
Verb _____________
Helping verb________
LESSON 3: INFINITIVES
An infinitive is a verb form that usually
begins with the word to and acts as a
noun, an adjective, or an adverb.
An infinitive phrase consists of an
infinitive along with its modifiers and
complements.
INFINITIVES
Sam has always wanted to work on his
own farm.
Infinitive:________________
Role:_______________
INFINITIVES
To run his farm takes Sam’s full energy.
Infinitive:________________
Role:_______________
INFINITIVES
They can be creatures to fear.
Infinitive:________________
Role:_______________
INFINITIVES
However, the bulls calm down to receive
food.
Infinitive:________________
Role:_______________
INFINITIVE CHEAT SHEET (ADD TO NOTES)
If the infinitive is a NOUN, it can be the S, DO, or PN.
If it’s a DO, it will FOLLOW THE VERB and answer the question, “What?”
If the Infinitive is an adjective, it will follow a noun (anywhere in the sentence) and tell
which one, what kind or how many.
If the infinitive is an adverb, it will be after the verb (usually) and answer how or why.
If the infinitive is at the beginning of the sentence and is FOLLOWED BY A COMMA, it
is an adverb and modifies the verb. If it is at the beginning of the sentence and is
NOT followed by a comma it is a noun and is the subject of the sentence.
LESSON 4: VERBAL PHRASES
A verbal phrase includes a verbal and any
modifiers or complements it may have.
There are three types of verbal phrases:
GERUND PHRASES
Consist of the gerund plus its modifiers
and complements.
The entire phrase is used as a noun.
Sunning himself is Silas the snake’s
favorite activity.
Gerund
phrase:_________________________
PARTICIPIAL PHRASES
Consist of a participle plus its modifiers
and complements.
The entire phrase acts as an adjective,
modifying a noun or pronoun.
Finishing his run, the horse walked for
a few moments.
Participial Phrase:
_______________________
INFINITIVE PHRASES
Consist of an infinitive plus its modifiers
and complements.
The entire phrase acts as a noun, an
adjective, or an adverb.
INFINITIVE PHRASES
To run free in peace and solitude was
Luna’s greatest goal.
Infinitive
phrase:________________________
Function:________________________