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Understanding Verbs: Gerunds, Participles, and Infinitives
A verbal is a verb that functions as some other part of speech in a sentence. In the English language, there are three basic types of verbals: gerunds, participles and infinitives. Let’s explore each of these verbals in detail.

Gerunds

Gerunds are verbals that function as nouns and have an –ing ending. Since gerunds are derivedfrom verbs and have an –ing ending, they do express action. However, because gerunds function as nouns, they occupy slots traditionally held by nouns in sentences such as subjects, direct objects and objects of prepositions. Gerunds may occur as one word, or they may be part of a gerund phrase. Let’s take a look at some examples: Gerund, functioning as subject Reading is my most beneficial summeractivity. Gerund, functioning as direct object James enjoys swimming. Gerund, functioning as object of preposition You will get good grades by studying. Gerund phrase, functioning as subject Eating on the run is one of the most unhealthy American habits. Gerund phrase, functioning as direct object The teacher simply cannot excuse sleeping during class. Gerund phrase, functioning as object ofpreposition We found the keys by looking on the ground next to the car.

Test
To determine whether a word in a sentence is a gerund, look at the word(s) ending in –ing in the sentence. If this word can be replaced by the pronoun it, then the word is a gerund. If the word it replaces other words in addition to the gerund, then these make up the gerund phrase (Lester 177). Let’s take a look at anexample: My grandfather loves getting together at Christmas. My grandfather loves it.

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Exercise 1 Underline the gerunds or gerund phrases in each sentence. Check your answers by flipping to page 5 of this handout. 1. Raising the funds proved to be a difficult task. 2. Camping at Coleto Creek was the Smith family’s annual summervacation. 3. Joseph hoped to obtain a job by learning the welding trade. 4. The Moreno family loves cooking for relatives. 5. I am able to earn money by working in the campus library.

Participles are verbals that usually function as adjectives and occasionally function as adverbs. Participles generally end with an –ed or –ing ending. Since participles are derived from verbs, they do expressactions or states of being. When participles function as adjectives, they are usually found preceding the nouns and pronouns in a sentence. When participles function as adverbs, they are typically found following the verb in a sentence. There are two types of participles: present participles and past participles. Present participles have an –ing ending. Past participles may have one of several pasttense endings, including –ed, -en, and -d. As with gerunds, participles may occur as one word, or they may be part of a participial phrase. Let’s take a look at some examples: Present participles The running water provided a picturesque view. (adjectival) The clown was able to stop the raging bull from attacking the rider. (adjectival) Past participles The crushed bug was an unpleasant sight.(adjectival) He was able to repair the broken lock. (adjectival) Present participial phrases The car stopping at the light was hit by the truck. (adjectival) The bull came running towards the rodeo clown. (adverbial) Past participial phrases James, amused by the crowd’s response, continued to perform magic tricks. (adjectival) Shaken from his near-death experience, John was unable to speak. (adjectival)Exercise 2 Underline the participles or participial phrases in each sentence. Check your answers by flipping to page 5 of this handout. 1. Hurriedly fastening his backpack, Joe rushed off to school. 2. The frozen fish was an easy meal for Jim to cook. 3. Staring at the items on the sales rack, Jill could not make a quick decision. 4. The car, damaged by the hailstorm, was taken to the body...