NAME: ________________________________________________ MODS: ______________
Verbals Worksheet
INFINITIVES: Underline the infinitive.
Put parenthesis around the infinitive phrase.
Write “O.I.” over the object of the infinitive.
{Remember that an infinitive phrase can include a prepositional phrase.}
1. The best time to find bargains is the last week in December.
2. A crowd gathered to watch the unveiling of the new sculpture.
3. Because the line for the movie was so long, we decided to leave the theater.
4. To buy a birthday present is my errand at noon.
Using Infinitives to improve Writing: Use infinitives to edit these sentences.
1. In order that he might find the pencil, John emptied the desk drawer.
2. As a way of getting permission for going on the camping trip, Ian completed all of his chores.
3. Doctors perform surgery in order that patients might be healthier.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------PARTICIPLES: Underline the participles in these sentences. Participles are used as adjectives. Draw an
arrow to the word the participle modifies.
1. Annoyed, Jane drove around the parking lot unable to find a free spot.
2. Nothing could disturb the sleeping child.
3. The exhausted team members barely spoke during the bus trip home.
4. Encouraged, Martin stepped up to the plate one more time.
Participial Phrases: Put parenthesis around the participial phrases.
1. I saw my sister walking briskly on Main Street.
2. Disappointed by the cast’s poor performance, the director called for more rehearsals.
3. Jason resolved never to drive without consulting Mapquest.
Using Participles to improve Writing: Use participles to condense these sentences.
1. Mr. Buch was born in 1918. He is the oldest living World War II veteran in Hunterdon County.
2. My teacher was confused. She told me to take the test, although I had already done so.
3. Julie received a letter from Martha. Julie sent back a letter about her summer vacation.
Correcting Dangling and Misplaced Participles: Correct these sentences.
1. Wishing for a victory, the gym was decorated in festive colors.
2. The dog barked at the child wagging its tail.
3. Driving to school, the rain fell in torrents.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------GERUNDS: Circle the gerund in each sentence. Draw one line under the verb and write “v” over it.
1. According to doctors, laughing is good medicine.
2. To become an artist, one must first learn the fundamentals of drawing.
3. The cheering of the crowd made conversation impossible.
Using Gerunds to improve Writing: Use gerunds to combine these into more interesting sentences.
1. Sheila raises German shepherd puppies. It is a rewarding and profitable project for her.
2. Jason built an oak desk. That was his final assignment for the year in industrial arts.
3. The runner strove to cross the finish line first. He tripped and fell tragically to the pavement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------VERBALS INCORRECTLY USED AS FRAGMENTS: Identify which of the following are fragments.
____1. Jordan walking into dance class.
____2. Reading sports magazines to learn more about one’s favorite pastime.
____3. Volumes of novels sitting on the library shelves just waiting for readers to delve into their
pages.
____4. To dance is delightful to me.