Grammar Guide: Verbals

We have had a great time during Summer Block 3 with the theme of music. We sang karaoke, wrote about how music inspires us, and enjoyed learning about popular music in the United States. Although, what is popular in one country might not be popular in another country. We have learned that different cultures enjoy different types of music. What type of music does your country listen to the most?

Verbals
Gerunds, infinitives, and participles are all examples of verbals. A verbal is essentially a verb being used as a different part of speech. For example, run can be used to describe an action. "I run 3 miles everyday." Run can also be used to describe an activity. "Running is my favorite hobby." In the first sentence, run is used as a verb, but in the second sentence running is used as a noun.

Gerunds
Gerunds are verbs that are used as nouns. Gerunds can be used as the subject, direct object, indirect object, predicate nominative, or the object of a preposition.

• Playing guitar is my favorite hobby. (subject)
• I enjoy singing karaoke. (direct object)
• Harry doesn't know anything about reading music. (object of a preposition)

Participles

Participles are verbs used as adjectives. Participles describe nouns. A present participle has the -ing form, and a past participle is either the -ed form or the irregular past participle form.

• Playing the guitar, Spencer made the audience feel excited!
• His guitar is made of wood.
• Sally was fascinated by the playing piano.

Infinitives

Infinitives are verbs used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. Infinitives always have to + the simple form.

• I learned to play the guitar when I was a child. (direct object)
• I have a song to write for my class. (adjective)
• Ezra is learning the piano to impress his girlfriend. (adverb)

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