Study of Verbals Language Presentation by Mark
What in the world is a VERBAL? Let s look at some examples: I like to write. He likes to read. To learn is important. I decided not to go. She needs to sneeze. The barking dog. The crying baby. The broken arm. The shining sun. The flipped car. I go swimming. Fishing is fun. That is ballet dancing. Hiking is difficult. I enjoy reading. What s similar in each column?
What in the world is a VERBAL? There are 3 forms of the verb, called VERBALS, that are used as other parts of speech: Infinitive Participle Repeat after me: VERBALS are words functioning as a verb Gerund
Round 1 of Verbals: The Infinitives to sneeze, to smash, to cry, to shriek, to jump, to dunk, to read, to eat, to slurp all of these are infinitives. An infinitive will almost always begin with to followed by the simple form of the verb, like this: grammar symbol to + verb = infinitive
Round 1 of Verbals: The Infinitives to + verb The infinitive never functions alone as a verb. Etymology: infinitivus (latin) meaning unlimited Because an infinitive is not a verb, you cannot add s, es, ed, or ing to the end. Ever! Infinitives can be used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. Look at these examples: To love is healthy. The time to study is now. She practices to improve. to love functions as a noun because it is the subject of the sentence. to study is used as an adjective modifying time. to improve is used as an adverb modifying practices.
Round 1 of Verbals: The Infinitives to + verb The infinitive never functions alone as a verb. Etymology: infinitivus (latin) meaning unlimited Because an infinitive is not a verb, you cannot add s, es, ed, or ing to the end. Ever! Infinitives can be used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. Look at these examples: The elephant decided to marry the mouse. The mouse agreed to marry the elephant. You will have to ask her. You are to leave immediately. He ought to relax. She has to go to Berlin next week. It s easy to speak English. It is hard to change jobs after twenty years. It s foolish to believe everything you hear.
Round 1 of Verbals: The Infinitives to + verb To explore creates wonderful experiences. subject predicate direct object To explore creates wonderful experiences
Round 2 of Verbals: grammar symbol The Participle The participle is a verb form which functions as an adjective. Etymology: participium (latin) meaning to participate or partake The Present Participle ends in -ing The Past Participle of verbs end in -ed, -en, -d, -t, -n The barking dog. The loved child flourishes. The crying baby. The finished table pleased the carpenter. The shining sun. The mangled hair frustrated her.
Round 2 of Verbals: grammar symbol The Participle The participle is a verb form which functions as an adjective. Etymology: participium (latin) meaning to participate or partake Other Examples: The crying baby had a wet diaper. Shaken, he walked away from the wrecked car. The burning log fell off the fire. Smiling, she hugged the panting dog.
Round 2 of Verbals: grammar symbol The Participle The participle is a verb form which functions as an adjective. Etymology: participium (latin) meaning to participate or partake More Examples (past participles): The written poems received an award. The kicked football went over the fence. The drawn horse hangs on my wall. The baked bread tasted delicious.
Round 2 of Verbals: The Participle The gathering clouds warned us. subject predicate direct object The gathering clouds warned us
Round 3 of Verbals: The Gerund A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing." The gerund form of the verb "read" is "reading." You can use a gerund as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence. Check it out: grammar symbol Reading helps you. (subject of sentence) His favorite hobby is reading. (complement of sentence) I enjoy reading. (object of sentence) Gerunds can also be made negative by adding "not": A good thing for your health is not smoking.
Round 3 of Verbals: The Gerund The gerund is sometimes referred to as a participial noun since it is a participle used as a noun. Etymology: gerundum (latin) meaning acting out Trying is commendable. (trying used as subject) Mark enjoys reading poetry. (reading is the object of the verb enjoys and it has its own object poetry) Walking rapidly is good exercise. (The adverb rapidly modifies the gerund walking. )
Round 3 of Verbals: The Gerund Lovely singing spreads joy and peace. subject predicate direct object lovely singing spreads joy and peace