Verbals and Verbal Phrases (gerund, participle,infinitive)
A participle is a verb form that can be used as an adjective.
The smiling child waved.
The horses trotting past were not frightened by the crowd.
o A present participle ends with -ing
o Most past participles end with -d or -ed, some are irregular,
A participial phrase consists of a participle and any modifiers or complements the
participle has. The entire phrase is used as an adjective.
 Seeing itself in the mirror, the duck seemed quite bewildered.
 After a while, we heard the duck quacking noisily at its own image.
 Then, disgusted with the other duck, it pecked the mirror.
A participle my be modified by an adverb, or an adverb phrase and may also have a
complement, usually a direct object.
A complement is a word or word group that completes the meaning of a linking verb and
that identifies or describes the subject.
 Alice Eng is a dedicated teacher.
 The lemonade tastes sour.
 The new pliers were what she wanted
Gerunds and Gerund Phrases
A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that is used as a noun. Tip- substitute a pronoun
for the word you think is a gerund. If the sentence still makes sense the word is a gerund.
Example- Playing tennis is good exercise. It is good exercise.
Subject-Skiing down that slope was fun.
Predicate nominative- Dad’s favorite past time is fishing for trout and bass.
Indirect object- Give sailing a try.
Direct object- We enjoyed hiking in the mountains.
Object of the preposition- Please sweep the front sidewalk after mowing.
A gerund phrase consists of a gerund and any modifiers or complements the gerund
has. The entire phrase is used as a noun.
 Having a part time job may interfere with your schoolwork. (subject)
 The townspeople heard the loud clanging of the fire bell. (direct object)
 We crossed the stream by stepping carefully from stone to stone. (object
of the preposition)
An infinitive is a verb form that can be used as a noun an adjective, or an adverb. Most
infinitives begin with to.
 To install the ceiling fan took two hours. (noun)
 The best time to visit Florida is December. (adjective)
 The gymnasts were ready to practice their routines. (adverb)
An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive and any modifiers or complements the
infinitive has. The entire phrase may be used as a noun, adjective, or an adverb.
 The crowd grew quiet to hear the speaker. (adverb)
 Peanuts and raisins are good snacks to take on a camping trip. (adjective)
 To lift those weights takes great strength.(noun/subject)