Lesson 240 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals

View lesson on Daily Grammar

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. 

 

Example: 

Eating is fun.

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

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. You are difficult to understand.

2. Jack hopes to join the Army next month.

3. The Senate favors increasing taxes.

4. The broken lamp lay on the floor.

5. I saw him trying to open the trunk.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. You are difficult to understand.

- to understand (adverb infinitive) modifying the predicate adjective difficult

2. Jack hopes to join the Army next month.

- to join the Army next month (noun infinitive phrase) used as the direct object

3. The Senate favors increasing taxes.

- increasing taxes (gerund phrase) used as the direct object

4. The broken lamp lay on the floor.

- broken (participle) modifying the subject lamp

5. I saw him trying to open the trunk.

- trying to open the trunk (participial phrase) modifying the direct object him

- to open the trunk (noun infinitive phrase) used as the direct object to the verbal trying

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 239 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals

View lesson on Daily Grammar

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. 

 

Example: 

Eating is fun.

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

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. The glancing blow did little damage.

- glancing (participle) modifying the subject blow

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

- to look for the answer (adverb infinitive phrase) modifying the verb go

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

- to play/to understand (adverb infinitives) modifying the predicate adjective easy

4. Have you tried writing it down daily?

- writing it down daily (gerund phrase) used as the direct object

5. His chief interests are skiing and racing.

- skiing/racing (gerunds) used as predicate nominatives

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 238 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals

View lesson on Daily Grammar

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. 

 

Example: 

Eating is fun.

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

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 not being honest with oneself.

- Blaming others (gerund phrase) used as the subject

2. We do not plan to change the rules.

- to change the rules (noun infinitive phrase) used as the direct object

3. Forgetting his promise, Jeff returned home late.

- Forgetting his promise (participial phrase) modifying the subject Jeff

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

- to learn new tricks (adverb infinitive phrase) modifying the predicate adjective old

5. One way to improve is regular practice.

- to improve (adjective infinitive) modifying the subject way

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 237 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals

View lesson on Daily Grammar

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. 

 

Example: 

Eating is fun.

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

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. Signs hung too high can't be read.

- hung too high (participial phrase) modifying the subject Signs

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

- eating late at night (gerund phrase) used as an appositive

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

- weeping/wailing (gerunds) used as subjects

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

- to decorate for the dance (noun infinitive phrase) used as the subject

5. Do you have a book to read?

- to read (adverb infinitive) modifying the verb Do have

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 236 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals

View lesson on Daily Grammar 

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. 

 

Example: 

Eating is fun.

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

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, I got new glasses.

- To see better (adverb infinitive phrase) modifying the verb got

2. Sometimes I just need to do more.

- to do more (noun infinitive phrase) used as the direct object

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

- having changed his mind (participial phrase) modifying the subject he

- to go (adverb infinitive) modifying the verb turned

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

- winning the match (participial phrase) modifying the subject team

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

- crossing the street (gerund phrase) used as the object of the preposition

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

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

View quiz on Daily Grammar

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

- to go and to return in one day modify likely

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

- to demonstrate against his cruelty modifies had come

3. I would be happy to help you.

- to help you modifies happy

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

- to move and (to) run modify unable

5. No one came to see the old man.

- to see the old man modifies came

6. The commentator stopped to clarify his statement.

- to clarify his statement modifies stopped

7. In this storm it is hard to see.

- to see modifies hard

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

- to eat more from our yard modifies returned

9. We stopped to view the beautiful sunset.

- to view the beautiful sunset modifies stopped

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

- to grab the rope and (to) climb to safety modify able

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

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

View lesson on Daily Grammar

An infinitive is a verbal that 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).

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. The inspector came to check the dam for leaks.

- to check the dam for leaks modifies came

2. Fred finally went to work.

- to work modifies went

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

- to study physics and to learn more modify arrived

4. Are you old enough to drive?

- to drive modifies old

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

- to listen and (to) obey modify ready

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

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

View lesson on Daily Grammar

 

An infinitive is a verbal that 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).

Instructions: Find the infinitives or 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. The actors performed there to entertain and to be seen.

- to entertain and to be seen modify performed

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

- to imagine and to describe modify impossible

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

- to ask a favor and to seek your help modify have come

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

- to see and to read the sign modify unable

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

- to throw me and to break my neck modify jumped

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

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

View lesson on Daily Grammar

 

An infinitive is a verbal that 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).

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. The van is ready to go.

- to go modifies ready

2. You are sure to meet him again.

- to meet him again modifies sure

3. My horse is hard to catch.

- to catch modifies hard

4. I am happy to be of service.

- to be of service modifies happy

5. Joan is likely to change her mind.

- to change her mind modifies likely

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

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

View lesson on Daily Grammar

 

An infinitive is a verbal that 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).

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. She came to explain the answer.

- to explain the answer modifies came

2. The kids went to see the circus.

- to see the circus modifies went

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

- to prevent any damage modifies drove

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

- to avoid further damage modifies returned

5. We stopped at a cafe to eat lunch.

- to eat lunch modifies stopped

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

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

View lesson on Daily Grammar

An infinitive is a verbal that 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.

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. The man came to confess.

- to confess modifies came

2. We should study to learn.

- to learn modifies should study

3. The girls were waiting to be asked.

- to be asked modifies were waiting

4. Our neighbor called to apologize.

- to apologize modifies called

5. I went to the hospital to rest.

- to rest modifies went

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

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

View quiz on Daily Grammar

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.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 230 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals - Participles

View lesson on Daily Grammar

 

A participle is a verbal and is used as an adjective. Participles end in various ways. They nouns and pronouns and can precede or follow the word they modify.

 

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

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: 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.

 

Hint: A new subject needs to be added to each sentence.

--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.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 229 - Parts of the Sentence - Verbals - Participles

View lesson on Daily Grammar

 

A participle is a verbal and is used as an adjective. Participles end in various ways. They nouns and pronouns and can precede or follow the word they modify.

 

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

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: 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.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.