Making Sense of Verbals
As you navigate through this document, you will review the basic parts of speech and the
functions we have learned so far. Keeping these fresh in your mind will help you identify how
everything fits into the sentence.
REVIEW OF NOUNS/NOUN FUNCTIONS
A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea. It functions as the subject, direct object, indirect object,
object of the preposition, appositive, or predicate nominative.
S: Slick Rick’s ​girlfriend​ Kimberly is the person who sent him a good luck present before the
race. “​Girlfriend” performs the verb “is”.
DO: Slick Rick’s girlfriend Kimberly is the person who sent him a good luck ​present​ before the
race. ​“Present” is the thing that was sent; it directly receives the action of the verb.
IO: Slick Rick’s girlfriend Kimberly is the person who sent ​him​ a good luck present before the
race. ​“Him” receives the direct object “present.”
OP: Slick Rick’s girlfriend Kimberly is the person who sent him a good luck present before the
race​. ​“Before the race” is a prepositional phrase; “race” is the object.
APP: Slick Rick’s girlfriend ​Kimberly​ is the person who sent him a good luck present before the
race. ​“Kimberly” renames “girlfriend” and is not separated from it by a linking verb.
PN: Slick Rick’s girlfriend Kimberly is the ​person​ who sent him a good luck present before the
race. ​“Person” renames “girlfriend” and is separated from it by a linking verb.
ADJECTIVES
An adjective is any word that describes a noun or pronoun. Adjectives tell us what kind, which
one, how much, or how many.
What kind​: Kimberly sent Slick Rick an ​expensive​ pair of sunglasses.
Which one: ​That​ driver signed ​my a
​ utograph book.
How much: ​I need ​more​ money to buy ​several​ tickets.
How many: ​You owe me ​two dozen​ cookies.
ADVERBS:
An adverb modifies/describes verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They tell us where, when,
how, and to what extent/degree.
Adverbs can come before or after the verbs they modify. They can even drop right into the
middle of a verb phrase. They can also be used in questions.
Modifying a verb:​ Bernardo rolled ​swiftly ​down the hill ​last night.​ ​Both of these adverbs modify
the verb “rolled.”
Modifying an adjective: ​When she caught the flu, Margot had an ​extremely h
​ igh fever.
“Extremely” modifies the adjective “high.”
Modifying an adverb: ​Martin sang ​so​ loudly that he broke the microphone. ​“So” is an adverb
modifying the adverb “loudly.”
In each sentence below, find the verbals. Label them and identify their type.
1. Horribly disfigured by the lab accident, the professor hides by day and works by night.
2. There is no doubt that shouting before he attacked gave away Ninja Neil’s position.
3. Ingrid always wanted to be a nurse.
4. The dog chewed on the overcooked steak like a piece of rawhide.
5. I don’t think you have seen Maxine’s broken glasses yet.
6. Paul felt threatened by the hefty new quarterback.
7. Sabrina’s prom hairdo consisted of tiny braids intricately woven with gold thread.
8. Maybelle is happy about riding this weekend at the horse ranch.
9. This new bookroom has nothing good to read.
10. Nancy tripped and fell down the stairs, shrieking all the way.
11. My destroyed car has been in the shop for more than a week now.
12. You won’t believe what there is to do at the Fern Street Funfair.
13. Every day after school, Waldo eats pickled beets and crackers.
14. Gerald looked upset, realizing the gravity of his error.
15. We really enjoyed the meal provided by the PTO.