{"id":4074,"date":"2013-06-27T17:19:43","date_gmt":"2013-06-27T17:19:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=4074"},"modified":"2026-03-26T09:33:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T14:33:19","slug":"verbals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/verbals\/","title":{"rendered":"Verbals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_-gdL2mRFqGI\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_-gdL2mRFqGI\" data-source-videoID=\"-gdL2mRFqGI\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Verbals Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Verbals\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_-gdL2mRFqGI:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_-gdL2mRFqGI {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/2054-thumb-final-1-1.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_-gdL2mRFqGI\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_-gdL2mRFqGI\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Verbals\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_-gdL2mRFqGI\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_-gdL2mRFqGI\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_-gdL2mRFqGI\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction 5rx_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"5rx\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"5rx_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"5rx\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Gerunds\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Gerunds<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Participles\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Participles<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Infinitives\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Infinitives<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Every word that\u2019s used in a sentence can be put into its own category, depending on its use and function within the sentence. These categories are what we know as parts of speech. For instance, words that name a person, place, or thing, we put in the \u201cnoun\u201d category, and words that show action are put in the \u201cverb\u201d category.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes, words that are usually categorized as one part of speech can act as other parts of speech. In this video, we\u2019ll be discussing verbals, words that are formed from a verb but act as a noun, adjective, or adverb.<\/p>\n<p>There are three types of verbals: gerunds, participles, and infinitives.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s take a look at gerunds first.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Gerunds\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Gerunds<\/h2>\n<p>\nA gerund is a word that is created with a verb but functions as a noun and always ends in <em>-ing<\/em>. Because a gerund is a noun, it can function as a subject, a subject complement, a direct object, an indirect object, or an object of a preposition.<\/p>\n<p>Here is an example of a gerund in the subject position:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\"><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Brushing<\/span> your hair can prevent tangles.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nBrushing is an action that is being done, which would normally make it a verb. However, notice that the act of brushing has become the thing that the sentence is about. We know that \u201cthings\u201d fall into the noun category, so the word <em>brushing<\/em> is a gerund functioning as the subject of the sentence.<\/p>\n<p>If a gerund were to be the direct object of a sentence, it would look like this:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">Landon loves <span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">hiking<\/span> through the woods.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Again, we can see that the word <em>hiking<\/em> is an action, but in this case, the act of hiking is a gerund acting as the direct object of the sentence because it answers the question \u201cWhat does Landon love.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Participles\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Participles<\/h2>\n<p>\nGerunds are often confused with our next type of verbal: participles. A participle is a word that is created from a verb but used as an adjective to modify a noun in a sentence.<\/p>\n<p>Present participles always end in <em>-ing<\/em> and correlate to events taking place in the current tense. Past participles often end in <em>-ed<\/em> and refer to events that have already happened.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s important to note that though present participles may look a lot like gerunds, they are not the same thing. Gerunds are specifically placed in the noun position of a sentence, whereas participles are placed in the adjective position.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a sentence that contains a participle:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">The <span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">browning<\/span> fruit should be put outside for composting.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nWe generally think of the word <em>browning<\/em> as a verb, but in this case, <em>browning<\/em> is being used as a present participle (noted by the <em>-ing<\/em> ending) to modify the noun <em>fruit<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s another example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\"><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Alarmed<\/span>, the <span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">feasting<\/span> mice scattered to avoid being seen by the cat.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nIn this sentence, there are two participles. The word <em>alarmed<\/em> is a past-tense verb that is being used as an adjective to describe <em>mice<\/em>, so it is a past participle. The word <em>feasting<\/em> is a present-progressive tense verb, which means that the action is ongoing. It is also being used to describe <em>mice<\/em>, so it is a present participle.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Infinitives\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Infinitives<\/h2>\n<p>\nFinally, let\u2019s take a look at infinitives. An infinitive is the basic, present-tense form of a verb and is almost always preceded by the word to. Infinitives can be used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s an example of an infinitive being used as a noun:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">Kyle wants <span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">to cook<\/span> dinner tonight.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nIn this case, the infinitive to <em>cook<\/em> is being used as the direct object, answering the question \u201cWhat does Kyle want.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s an example of an infinitive being used as an adverb:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\"><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">To win<\/span> the game, you must collect all of the cards.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nIn this case, the infinitive <em>to win<\/em> is being used as part of an adverbial phrase that tells us why all of the cards must be collected.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s one more example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">If you need advice, Kierra is the person <span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">to ask<\/span>.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nIn this case, the infinitive to ask is being used as an adjective to describe <em>person<\/em>, telling us which person Kierra is.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>\nOkay, to wrap things up, let\u2019s go over a few review questions.<\/p>\n<p>1. What is the word learning in the following sentence?<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">Olivia likes learning about new places around the world.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style: upper-alpha;\">\n<li>A gerund<\/li>\n<li>A past participle<\/li>\n<li>A present participle<\/li>\n<li>An infinitive<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\">\n   <button class=\"buttontranscript\" onClick=\"toggle('Answer1')\">Show Answer<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Answer1\" class=\"showanswer\">\n   <strong>The correct answer is A. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The verb <em>learning<\/em> ends in <em>-ing<\/em> and is acting as a noun, so we know that it must be a gerund.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n2. What is the infinitive in the following sentence?<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">I walked to the train station to meet my friends.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style: upper-alpha;\">\n<li>to the train station<\/li>\n<li>I walked<\/li>\n<li>to meet<\/li>\n<li>my friends<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\">\n   <button class=\"buttontranscript\" onClick=\"toggle('Answer2')\">Show Answer<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Answer2\" class=\"showanswer\">\n   <strong>The correct answer is C.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The infinitive to <em>meet<\/em> is acting as an adverb describing the verb walked. Though the phrase to the <em>train station<\/em> starts with the word <em>to<\/em>, it is a prepositional phrase, not an infinitive. An easy way to tell the difference between a prepositional phrase and an infinitive is by looking for a verb. An infinitive contains some form of a verb, while a prepositional phrase does not.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n3. Which word in the following sentence is the past participle?<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">The edited paper received a much higher grade than the original draft.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style: upper-alpha;\">\n<li>received<\/li>\n<li>much<\/li>\n<li>than<\/li>\n<li>edited<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\">\n   <button class=\"buttontranscript\" onClick=\"toggle('Answer3')\">Show Answer<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Answer3\" class=\"showanswer\">\n   <strong>The correct answer is D.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The verb <em>edited<\/em> is acting as an adjective describing the word <em>paper<\/em>, so <em>edited<\/em> is a past participle. Though the word <em>received<\/em> does end in &#8211;<em>ed<\/em>, it is acting as a normal past-tense verb in this sentence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nAll right, that\u2019s all for this review. Thanks for watching, and happy studying!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/parts-of-a-sentence\/\">Return to Parts of a Sentence Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\nfunction toggle(obj) {\n          var obj=document.getElementById(obj);\n          if (obj.style.display == \"block\") obj.style.display = \"none\";\n          else obj.style.display = \"block\";\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Parts of a Sentence Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":155171,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-4074","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-parts-of-a-sentence-videos","7":"page_category-video-pages-for-study-course-sidebar-ad","8":"page_type-video","9":"subject_matter-english"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4074","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4074"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4074\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":279586,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4074\/revisions\/279586"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/155171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4074"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}