Ge
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Pa
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Verbals
In f
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What are Verbals ?
A verbal is a verb form that acts as another
part of speech—either as a noun, an
adjective, or an adverb.
Participles, gerunds, and infinitives are the
three verbal types.
Gerund
A gerund is a verbal that is formed from
a verb that ends in -ing and functions
as a noun. Gerund (OP)
Soha has always wanted to go into teaching.
Soha is teaching ninth graders.
Not Gerund ,..verb phrase showing action
The crying baby slept at last.
Not Gerund ,..participle ….describing “baby”
Gerund Phrase
A gerund phrase includes the gerund, and
any modifiers and complements.
By functioning as a noun, gerunds and
gerund phrases can act as:
subjects, direct objects, indirect objects,
predicate nominatives, or objects of a
preposition , appositives in a sentence.
Gerund / Gerund Phrase
– Swimming the mile is my best event.
– Swimming the mile is my best event. (Subject)
– I like swimming the mile.
– I like swimming the mile. (DO)
– My best event is swimming the mile.
– My best event is swimming the mile. (PN)
Gerund / Gerund Phrase
– I gave swimming the mile a try.
– I gave swimming the mile a try. (IO)
– He lectured us about swimming the mile.
– He lectured us about swimming the mile. (OP)
– My best event, swimming the mile, was
canceled.
– My best event, swimming the mile, was
canceled. (APP)
Gerund / Gerund Phrase
EXAMPLES:
– His sister was dancing in the show.
– I hate practicing the piano.
– I gave my mom’s cooking a perfect 10.
– Sitting by the pool is quite relaxing.
– Wishing upon a star, Sue imagined a better life.
– While I was walking on the beach, I found a sand
dollar.
Gerund / Gerund Phrase
ANSWERS:
– His sister was dancing in the show. (not a gerund, verb phrase)
– I hate practicing the piano. (DO)
– I gave my mom’s cooking a perfect 10. (IO)
– Sitting by the pool is quite relaxing. (S)
– Wishing upon a star, Sue imagined a better life.
(not a gerund, participial phrase)
– While I was walking on the beach, I found a sand dollar.
(not a gerund, verb phrase)
phrase
Gerund / Gerund Phrase
EXAMPLES:
– Becoming a doctor takes years of serious study.
– Kino’s specialty is cooking mushrooms.
– The subtle squeaking of the door hinges told Mira
that her sister was home.
– Carla decided on writing about famous women in
history.
– Mr. Riley enjoys the crackling of a campfire on a
winter’s evening.
Gerund / Gerund Phrase
ANSWERS:
– Becoming a doctor takes years of serious study. (S)
– Kino’s specialty is cooking mushrooms. (PN)
– The subtle squeaking of the door hinges told Mira that her
sister was home. (S)
– Carla decided on writing about famous women in history.
(OP)
– Mr. Riley enjoys the crackling of a campfire on a winter’s
evening. (DO)
Gerund / Gerund Phrase
EXAMPLES:
– Traveling to new and interesting places is fun.
– The smiling child amused his parents.
– Give playing golf another chance.
– Pam is studying for her French exam.
– Holding onto the kite, Jeremy received a cut.
Gerund / Gerund Phrase
ANSWERS:
– Traveling to new and interesting places is fun. (S)
– The smiling child amused his parents. (not a gerund, participle)
– Give playing golf another chance. (IO)
– Pam is studying for her French exam. (not a gerund, verb phrase)
– Holding onto the kite, Jeremy received a cut.
(not a gerund, participial phrase)
Patterns to look for…p. 65
I am considering joining the
drama club.
Verb Followed by
gerund
He recommends reading Poe’s
V+Gerund stories.
Patterns to look for…p. 65
Preposition It aims at keeping you warm in
Followed by the winter.
gerund
prep+Gerund She is accused of being
negligent.
Patterns to look for…p. 65
Adjective and She is afraid of expressing her
preposition true feelings.
followed by
gerund
I am terrible at sketching.
adj+prep+Gerund
