Lesson 239 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals

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A verbal is a verb form used as some other part of speech. There are three kinds of verbals: gerunds, participles and infinitives.

A gerund always ends in ing and is used as a noun. Eating is fun.

A participle is used as an adjective and ends in various ways. A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective. A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly. Examples: played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen.

An infinitive is to plus a verb form. It can be a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. Examples: to be, to see, to be seen, to be eaten.

Instructions: Find the gerunds, gerund phrases, participles, participial phrases, infinitives or infinitive phrases in these sentences, tell what kind of verbal they are, and how they are used.

1. The glancing blow did little damage.

2. Go to the dictionary to look for the answer.

3. This computer game is easy to play and to understand.

4. Have you tried writing it down daily?

5. His chief interests are skiing and racing.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. glancing is a participle modifying the subject blow

2. to look for the answer is an adverb infinitive phrase modifying the verb go

3. to play/to understand are adverb infinitives modifying the predicate adjective easy

4. writing it down daily is a gerund phrase used as the direct object

5. skiing/racing are gerunds used as predicate nominatives

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Lesson 238 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals

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A verbal is a verb form used as some other part of speech. There are three kinds of verbals: gerunds, participles and infinitives.

A gerund always ends in ing and is used as a noun. Eating is fun.

A participle is used as an adjective and ends in various ways. A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective. A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly. Examples: played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen.

An infinitive is to plus a verb form. It can be a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. Examples: to be, to see, to be seen, to be eaten.

Instructions: Find the gerunds, gerund phrases, participles, participial phrases, infinitives or infinitive phrases in these sentences, tell what kind of verbal they are, and how they are used.

1. Blaming others is not being honest with oneself.

2. We do not plan to change the rules.

3. Forgetting his promise, Jeff returned home late.

4. My dog is too old to learn new tricks.

5. One way to improve is regular practice.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. blaming others is a gerund phrase used as the subject

2. to change the rules is a noun infinitive phrase used as the direct object

3. forgetting his promise is a participial phrase modifying the subject Jeff

4. to learn new tricks is an adverb infinitive phrase modifying the predicate adjective old

5. to improve is an adjective infinitive modifying the subject way

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Lesson 237 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals

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A verbal is a verb form used as some other part of speech. There are three kinds of verbals: gerunds, participles and infinitives.

A gerund always ends in ing and is used as a noun. Eating is fun.

A participle is used as an adjective and ends in various ways. A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective. A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly. Examples: played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen.

An infinitive is to plus a verb form. It can be a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. Examples: to be, to see, to be seen, to be eaten.

Instructions: Find the gerunds, gerund phrases, participles, participial phrases, infinitives or infinitive phrases in these sentences, tell what kind of verbal they are, and how they are used.

1. Signs hung too high can't be read.

2. You know my weakness, eating late at night.

3. Your weeping and wailing will not change a thing.

4. To decorate for the dance will cost too much.

5. Do you have a book to read?

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. hung too high is a participial phrase modifying the subject signs

2. eating late at night is a gerund phrase used as an appositive

3. your weeping/wailing are gerunds used as subjects

4. to decorate for the dance is a noun infinitive phrase used as the subject

5. to read is an adverb infinitive modifying the verb do have

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Lesson 236 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals

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A verbal is a verb form used as some other part of speech. There are three kinds of verbals: gerunds, participles and infinitives.

A gerund always ends in ing and is used as a noun. Eating is fun.

A participle is used as an adjective and ends in various ways. A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective. A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly. Examples: played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen.

An infinitive is to plus a verb form. It can be a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. Examples: to be, to see, to be seen, to be eaten.

Instructions: Find the gerunds, gerund phrases, participles, participial phrases, infinitives or infinitive phrases in these sentences, tell what kind of verbal they are, and how they are used.

1. To see better, I got new glasses.

2. Sometimes I just need to do more.

3. Having changed his mind, he turned to go.

4. The team winning the match will be given new shirts.

5. You can go home only by crossing the street.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. to see better is an adverb infinitive phrase modifying the verb got

2. to do more is a noun infinitive phrase used as the direct object

3. having changed his mind is a participial phrase modifying the subject he/to go is an adverb infinitive modifying the verb turned

4. winning the match is a participial phrase modifying the subject team

5. crossing the street is a gerund phrase used as the object of the preposition

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Quiz for Lessons 231 - 235 - Parts of the Sentence - Adverb Infinitives

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Instructions: Find the infinitives or infinitive phrases in these sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. The salesman is likely to go and to return in one day.

2. The crowd had come to demonstrate against his cruelty.

3. I would be happy to help you.

4. Frightened by the bear, I was unable to move or run.

5. No one came to see the old man.

6. The commentator stopped to clarify his statement.

7. In this storm it is hard to see.

8. The deer returned to eat more from our yard.

9. We stopped to view the beautiful sunset.

10. I was able to grab the rope and climb to safety.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. to go/to return in one day modify the predicate adjective likely

2. to demonstrate against his cruelty modifies the verb had come

3. to help you modifies the predicate adjective happy

4. to move/(to) run modify the predicate adjective unable

5. to see the old man modifies the verb came

6. to clarify his statement modifies the verb stopped

7. to see modifies the predicate adjective hard

8. to eat more from our yard modifies the verb returned

9. to view the beautiful sunset modifies the verb stopped

10. to grab the rope/(to) climb to safety modify the predicate adjective able

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Lesson 235 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals - Adverb Infinitives

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An infinitive is to plus a verb form. It can be used as an adverb. Examples: to be, to see, to be seen, to be eaten.

Adverb infinitives are used to modify verbs. They usually tell why. Adverb infinitives are used to modify predicate adjectives. They may also be compound.

An infinitive phrase is made up of an infinitive and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers.) An infinitive phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Instructions: Find the infinitives or infinitive phrases in these sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. The inspector came to check the dam for leaks.

2. Fred finally went to work.

3. Paul arrived in New York to study physics and to learn more.

4. Are you old enough to drive?

5. The new soldiers were ready to listen and obey.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. to check the dam for leaks modifies the verb came

2. to work modifies the verb went

3. to study physics/to learn more modify the verb arrived

4. to drive modifies the predicate adjective old

5. to listen/(to) obey modify the predicate adjective ready

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Lesson 234 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals - Adverb Infinitives

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An infinitive is to plus a verb form. It can be used as an adverb. Examples: to be, to see, to be seen, to be eaten.

Adverb infinitives are used to modify verbs. They usually tell why. Adverb infinitives are used to modify predicate adjectives. They may also be compound.

An infinitive phrase is made up of an infinitive and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers.) An infinitive phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Instructions: Find the infinitive phrases in these sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. The actors performed there to entertain and to be seen.

2. The amount of danger was impossible to imagine or to describe.

3. I have come to ask a favor and to seek your help.

4. Are you unable to see or to read the sign?

5. The bucking horse jumped high to throw me and to break my neck.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. to entertain/to be seen modify the verb performed

2. to imagine/to describe modify the predicate adjective impossible

3. to ask a favor/to seek your help modify the verb have come

4. to see/to read the sign modify the predicate adjective unable

5. to throw me/to break my neck modify the verb jumped

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Lesson 233 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals - Adverb Infinitives

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An infinitive is to plus a verb form. It can be used as an adverb. Examples: to be, to see, to be seen, to be eaten.

Adverb infinitives are used to modify predicate adjectives.

An infinitive phrase is made up of an infinitive and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers.) An infinitive phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Instructions: Find the infinitives or infinitive phrases in these sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. The van is ready to go.

2. You are sure to meet him again.

3. My horse is hard to catch.

4. I am happy to be of service.

5. Joan is likely to change her mind.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. to go modifies the predicate adjective ready

2. to meet him again modifies the predicate adjective sure

3. to catch modifies the predicate adjective hard

4. to be of service modifies the predicate adjective happy

5. to change her mind modifies the predicate adjective likely

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Lesson 232 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals - Adverb Infinitives

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An infinitive is to plus a verb form. It can be used as an adverb. Examples: to be, to see, to be seen, to be eaten.

Adverb infinitives are used to modify verbs. They usually tell why.

An infinitive phrase is made up of an infinitive and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers.) An infinitive phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Instructions: Find the infinitive phrases in these sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. She came to explain the answer.

2. The kids went to see the circus.

3. On the rough road I drove carefully to prevent any damage.

4. I returned a different way to avoid further damage.

5. We stopped at a cafe to eat lunch.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. to explain the answer modifies the verb came

2. to see the circus modifies the verb went

3. to prevent any damage modifies the verb drove

4. to avoid further damage modifies the verb returned

5. to eat lunch modifies the verb stopped

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Lesson 231 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals - Adverb Infinitives

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An infinitive is to plus a verb form. It can be used as an adverb. Examples: to be, to see, to be seen, to be eaten.

Adverb infinitives are used to modify verbs. They usually tell why.

An infinitive phrase is made up of an infinitive and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers.) An infinitive phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Instructions: Find the infinitives in these sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. The man came to confess.

2. We should study to learn.

3. The girls were waiting to be asked.

4. Our neighbor called to apologize.

5. I went to the hospital to rest.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. to confess modifies the verb came

2. to learn modifies the verb should study

3. to be asked modifies the verb were waiting

4. to apologize modifies the verb called

5. to rest modifies the verb went

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Quiz for Lessons 226 - 230 - Parts of the Sentence - Participles

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Instructions: Combine these sentences using a participial phrase.

1. I strolled down the lane. I was enjoying the fragrant air.

2. My dog wanted his meal. He was begging at my feet.

3. The contestant crossed her fingers for luck. She hoped it was the right answer.

4. The paramedic leaned over the victim. He was checking for vital signs.

5. The man shouted for help. He was hanging on the side of the boat.

Instructions: Rewrite these sentences so the participial phrase is used correctly.

6. Drinking in gulps, the pitcher was emptied.

7. Convinced of my honesty, I was allowed to leave.

8. Watching the sunset, the evening was beautiful.

9. Hanging in the closet, I found my new suit.

10. We saw several caves walking through the mountains.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Enjoying the fragrant air, I strolled down the lane.

2. Begging at my feet, my dog wanted his meal.

3. Hoping it was the right answer, the contestant crossed her fingers for luck.

4. Checking for vital signs, the paramedic leaned over the victim.

5. Hanging on the side of the boat, the man shouted for help.

6. Drinking in gulps, I emptied the pitcher.

7. Convinced of my honesty, the police allowed me to leave.

8. Watching the sunset, I found the evening beautiful.

9. I found my new suit hanging in the closet.

10. Walking through the mountains, we saw several caves.

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Lesson 230 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals - Participles

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A participle is used as an adjective and ends various ways. A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective. A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly. Examples: played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen. Participles modify nouns and pronouns and can precede or follow the word modified. (Do not confuse participles that end in ing with gerunds. Participles are used as adjectives; gerunds are used as nouns.)

A participial phrase is made up of a participle and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers) like the gerund. A participial phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Participial phrases sometimes appear to modify a word that they cannot logically modify. The word it should modify does not appear in the sentence.

Instructions: Rewrite the following sentences by rearranging the words or by adding a word or words to make them clear and logical.

1. Looking over the outlook, the canyon seemed magnificent.

2. Typing my research paper, the keys jammed.

3. Playing the piano, my dog started to howl.

4. Eating lunch, the doorbell rang.

5. Having walked several miles, my new shoes hurt.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Looking over the outlook, I saw a magnificent canyon.

2. Typing my research paper, I jammed the keys.

3. Playing the piano, I caused my dog to start to howl.

4. Eating lunch, she heard the doorbell ring.

5. Having walked several miles, I had sore feet from my new shoes.

(You must add a word to be the subject.)

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Lesson 229 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals - Participles

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A participle is used as an adjective and ends various ways. A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective. A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly. Examples: played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen. Participles modify nouns and pronouns and can precede or follow the word modified. (Do not confuse participles that end in ing with gerunds. Participles are used as adjectives; gerunds are used as nouns.)

A participial phrase is made up of a participle and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers) like the gerund. A participial phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Participial phrases are sometimes misplaced in a sentence causing confusion.

Instructions: Rewrite the following sentences placing the participial phrases where they should be.

1. Carl served me a malt dressed in his new uniform.

2. We found our cat walking home from school.

3. I was stung by a bee pruning my trees.

4. They found an antique store looking for a place to eat.

5. The package was delivered by the mailman wrapped with red paper.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Dressed in his new uniform, Carl served me a malt.

2. Walking home from school, we found our cat.

3. Pruning my trees, I was stung by a bee.

4. Looking for a place to eat, they found an antique store.

5. The package, wrapped with red paper, was delivered by the mailman.

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Lesson 228 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals - Participles

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A participle is used as an adjective and ends various ways. A present participle always ends with ing as does the gerund, but remember that it is an adjective. A past participle ends with ed, n, or irregularly. Examples: played, broken, brought, sung, seeing, having seen, being seen, seen, having been seen. Participles modify nouns and pronouns and can precede or follow the word modified. (Do not confuse participles that end in ing with gerunds. Participles are used as adjectives; gerunds are used as nouns.)

A participial phrase is made up of a participle and any complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives, or modifiers) like the gerund. A participial phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence is always followed by a comma and modifies the subject of the sentence.

Participial phrases are useful in combining pairs of sentences.

Instructions: Combine the following sentences using a participial phrase at the beginning of the sentence.

1. The flag flapped against the pole. The flag was twisted by the wind.

2. The cat clawed wildly in self-defense. The cat was cornered by two dogs.

3. The food was completely destroyed. It had been covered by the flood for two weeks.

4. Dr. Doolittle commanded the bee to stop the noise. He was annoyed by the humming.

5. We had planned a party for our boss. We were pleased with our bonuses.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Twisted by the wind, the flag flapped against the pole.

2. Cornered by two dogs, the cat clawed wildly in self-defense.

3. Having been covered by the flood for two weeks, the food was completely destroyed.

4. Annoyed by the humming, Dr. Doolittle commanded the bee to stop the noise.

5. Pleased with our bonuses, we had planned a party for our boss.

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