(The infinitive "to read" is used as a noun in this instance. Functions of an InfinitiveĪn infinitive functions as a subject, direct object, subject complement, an adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Glenda came home early to go fishing with friends. Examples of infinitives include to jump, to laugh, to work, and to build. The identity of an infinitive is the word "to", which always accompanies it. ("Skiing" is a gerund that acts as an object of a preposition in a sentence.) InfinitivesĪn infinitive is a verbal formed by adding "to" to the verb. ("Delaying" is an example of a gerund used as a subject complement. Procrastination is delaying doing things. ("Telling" is a gerund used as a direct object. Grandma enjoys telling us exciting bedtime stories. (In this sentence, "mountaineering" is an example of a gerund used as a subject.) Mountaineering is also called mountain climbing. ("Drawing", the gerund, is used as a direct object here.) Functions of a GerundĪ gerund can act as the subject, direct object, subject complement, or object of a preposition in a sentence. (In this sentence, "drawing" is a verbal and it acts as a noun it’s the subject of the sentence.) Examples of a gerund include eating, drinking, studying, kayaking, and hiking.ĭrawing is Rebecca’s favorite pastime. It’s very easy to identify a gerund as it always ends with -ing. GerundsĪ gerund is a verbal that functions as a noun. Each type has its own unique functions, which we are now going to delve into in detail. There are three types of verbals – gerunds, infinitives, and participles. The children had finished cleaning before it was 5. Mark wants to see the completed assignment. Examples of Verbalsīertha’s biggest dream is to become an astronaut. It also helps form tenses like the perfect and progressive. A verbal can function as a noun, direct object, subject complement, an adjective, adverb, or object of a preposition. What Are Verbals?Ī verbal is a verb form that acts as another part of speech in a sentence. With a great deal of excited learning and practice surrounding them, verbals account for an important topic in English grammar. Although they are not verbs, verbals look a lot like verbs. Verbals are one such wonderful shape that verbs sometimes tend to morph into. They can transform into so many different shapes, every time forming something distinctly unique and calling for hours of dedicated study in grammar. It’s no tall order to understand what a verbal is! We know for a fact that verbs are the most versatile of all parts of speech. "We can only learn to love by loving." - Iris Murdoch, The Bell Introduction to Verbals
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