Verbals

1) 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.

1) Find the verbals in the following sentences.

1. I can't understand Will's failing in college.
2. Many trees stood bordering the south entrance to the house.
3. I will have to consult your parents.
4. His searching glance terrified the hostages.
5. You should buy a tie to match your suit.
Answers
1. failing
2. bordering
3. to consult
4. searching
5. to match

2) Find the verbals in the following sentences.

1. The pouring rain caused havoc on the highway.
2. The earthquake created many broken dishes.
3. This book has a torn page.
4. The drifted snow had blocked my driveway.
5. Shouting angrily, the man ran from his house.
Answers
1. pouring
2. broken
3. torn
4. drifted
5. shouting

3) Find the verbals in the following sentences.

1. Is Sam too busy to help us?
2. This car is hard to use and to repair.
3. Where did you go to find that mutt?
4. Oh, I didn't lock the door before leaving home today!
5. Having swum for two hours, I felt rather tired.
Answers
1. to help
2. to use / to repair
3. to find
4. leaving
5. having swum