Basic Grammar: Verbals
Modified from:
http://www.athabascau.ca/courses/engl/egh/basic_grammar.php
Verbals
A verbal is a word derived from a verb but which functions as a noun,
adjective, or adverb.
Infinitives
 name an action, state or condition when they function as a noun
 describe or modify the noun or verb when they function as an adjective
or adverb
To argue is futile. (To argue is a noun here. It is the subject of this
sentence.)
 Note from Laura about infinitives as subjects: It is possible to
begin a sentence with an infinitive, but it sounds formal and is
not very common. It is more common to delay (postpone) an
infinitive subject by putting an “empty” it in the subject position:
o It is futile to argue.
Notice that this it doesn’t stand for anything here; “to argue” is
still the true subject.
Now, see if you can find two additional examples of delayed
infinitive subjects in this note! 
He likes to talk. (To talk is a noun here. It is the object of likes. It tells
what he likes.)
We need to eat lunch soon. (To eat is a noun here. It is the object of
need; it tells what we need.)
Laura’s students have learned to analyze parts of speech. . (To analyze
is a noun here. It is the object of have learned; it tells what my students
have learned.)
 Note from Laura: This pattern is very common; infinitives are
very often used as direct objects.
Notice that the main verb (i.e., need or learn above) tells you
whether to use an infinitive or a gerund as a direct object.
It is time to go. (To go is an adjective, modifying time.)
He had enough money to spare. (To spare is an adjective, modifying
money.)
We are ready to go. (To go is an adverb, modifying the adjective
ready.)
I quit smoking to improve my health. (To improve is an adverb—an
infinitive of purpose: it tells why something happened.)
He got up early to study for the test. (To study is an adverb—an
infinitive of purpose: it tells why he got up early.)
He called his mother to make her happy. (To make functions as an
adverb—an infinitive of purpose: it tells why he called his mother.)
We like to laugh to relieve our stress! (There are two infinitives in this
sentence. The first one functions as a noun: to laugh tells what we
like, so it’s a direct object. The second infinitive functions as an
adverb. To relieve our stress tells why we like to laugh; it’s the purpose
of the laughter. To relieve is an infinitive of purpose.)
 Note from Laura: Infinitives of purpose are fairly common and
are very important to recognize. When you are reading, it is
important for your comprehension to understand the reason that
something happened—and that’s just what an infinitive of
purpose tells you!
For more information, please see Infinitives and Gerunds:
http://www.athabascau.ca/courses/engl/155/support/infinitives_and_gerunds.htm
Past participles
 function as an adjective to describe or modify a noun
That door is always closed. (Closed is an adjective describing the door.)
My students are interested in grammar! (Interested is an adjective
describing my students.)
Tired and a little sickened, Paul Bradley opened his bedroom window
to release the cigarette smoke. (Tired and sickened are adjectives
describing Paul Bradley.)
Married herself, Lydia had little difficulty empathizing with her
neighbor’s dissatisfaction. (Married is an adjective describing Lydia.)
Present participles
 function as an adjective to describe or modify the noun
ESL 042 is an interesting class. (Interesting is an adjective describing
the noun class.)
Moving away from the mirror, Sonia considered last night’s debate.
(Moving is an adjective describing Sonia.)
Laughing, he scrambled up the hillside. (Laughing is an adjective
describing he.)
He jumped from the top diving board. (Diving is an adjective
modifying board.)
The met again on the following day. (Following is an adjective
modifying day.)
Gerunds
 function as a noun to name an action, state or condition
Reading is a skill that is difficult to master. (Reading is a gerund and is
the subject of the sentence here.)
I tried pushing the car to get it out of the snow. (Pushing is a gerund
and is the object of the verb tried.)
She practices her English by talking with native speakers. (Talking is a
gerund and is the object of the preposition by.)
For more information, please see Infinitives and Gerunds.
(See also Laura’s handout on gerunds in this folder.)