HFCC Learning Lab Basic Grammar 3.16 VERBS AND VERBAL PHRASES A verbal word Is a word derived from a verb and used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. A verbal may be an infinitive, gerund, or participle. Verbal s and verbal phrases are good devices to use to correct wordiness in writing. INFINITIVE The infinitive is the form of verb accompanied by the word to: to come, to go, to eat, etc. The infinitive phrase consists of infinitive plus its modifiers or words that complete its meaning. An infinitive phrase is a handy word saver. It is used most often instead of a clause beginning with that or so that. Open the window so that you can get some air. Open the window to get some fresh air. I want to try this on so that I make sure it fits I want to try this so to make sure it fits. Here are some examples of infinitive phrases and their analysis. INFINITIVE + COMLETING WORDS = INFINITIVE PHRASE To be To have gone To be called Sick To the country For jury duty To be sick To have gone to the country To be called for jury duty. An infinitive may be used as an adjective, an adverb, or a noun. Examples: 1. Black beauty is a good book to read to a child. The infinitive phrase is used as an adjective. It describes what kind of good book BLACK BEAUTY is.
2. Everyone ran to see the accident. The infinitive phrase is used as an adverb. It describes why everyone ran. 3. To attend school every day is torture for Francis. The infinitive phrase is used as a noun, the subject of the sentence. Participial phrase: Participles are formed by adding ing, d, ed, en, n, or t to the main stem in the verb. Bringing, part-ed, spoke-n, and so on. They are commonly used as adjectives. The participle phrases consist of the participle plus its modifiers or word necessarily to complete its meaning. PARTICIPLE MODIFIERS PARTICIPLE PHRASE Going Caught Having driven To the movies In the rush To the country Going to the movies Caught in the rush Having driven to the country Example: (Participle) 1. Riding at top speed, he snatched the child from danger. (---Participle phrase------) Gerund: the participle modifies the subject he. A gerund has the same form as the participle (ing) ending, but it is used as a noun. A gerund phrase consists of the gerund and its modifiers or words necessary to complete its meaning. Notice the difference in use between a gerund phrase and a participle phrase in the following sentences.
Gerund Phrases Going to the movies is fun. (the gerund phrase used as the subject) Being caught in the rain is no new experience for me. (the gerund phrase used as the subject.) I enjoyed playing the guitar. (the gerund phrase used as the direct object.) Participle Phrase: Going to the movies, I met an old friend. Being caught at in the rain, I took refugee under a palm tree. The boy playing the guitar looked familiar. (all these participle phrases modify subjects.)
PRACTICE SHEET ON VERBALS Directions: identify the infinitive, participle, or gerund in each of the following sentences by enclosing it in the brackets. Then identify the entire verbal phrase by enclosing it in parenthesis, then indicate if the phrases id functioning as a noun, adjective, or adverb. Example: ({Taming} the big red horse) was a dangerous and difficult task, noun. 1. In order to collect enough money for the trip, the students sold candy 2. Wearing his suit and only white shirt, Frank went for the job interview. 3. If the man leaving the building Is a suspect, he should be pursed and questioned. 4. The information presented at the meeting was useful. 5. The student mad an effort to understand the lesson taught on the videotape. 6. Writing a well organized essay requires skill and experience. 7/28/2010
ANSWERS 1. (In order {to collect} enough money for the trip), the students sold candy, adverb. 2. ({Wearing} his suit and only white shirt), Frank went for the job interview, adjective. 3. If the man ({leaving} the building) Is a suspect, he should be pursed and questioned, adjective. 4. The information ({presented} at the meeting) was useful, adjective. 5. The student mad an effort ({to understand} the lesson taught on the videotape), adjective. 6. ({Writing} a well organized essay) requires skill and experience, noun.