The (Voluptuous) Verbals Page:

Verbs are sometimes farmed out to other parts of speech. A kind of linguistic outsourcing.

When that happens we use the word verbal.

There are three kinds of verbals: gerunds, infinitives and participles.

Great words!

Can you imagine the loving reception you would get if at a party you say, "Let's talk about gerunds."

Instant popularity!

But to protect yourself from unpleasant people who demand to know what a gerund, or infinitive, or participle is :

If we use a verb as a noun we call it a "gerund."

Running makes my feet hurt.

Here "running", while an action word, is used as a noun working as the subject of the sentence.  Gerund!   Your turn, use an "ing" form of a verb as the subject of one or two sentences:

 

 (Self serving note: I collected a bunch of articles I once wrote under the title "Teaching and Other Gerunds". Each chapter title is a gerund: "writing" "cheating" etc. Actually, what I did was to post them as blogs. Here's where they are: http://homepage.mac.com/vickryston/iblog/B665753905/index.html )

---

The "to" form of a verb is called an "infinitive." If you use the "to" form of a verb as a noun or as a modifier it's called "infinitive" instead of gerund. No, I don't know why!

To run makes my feet really hurt. (noun)

It is my desire to run. (adjective.)

I sometimes run to show off. (adverb)

Your turn:

 

 

---

 

"Participles" are verbs used as adjectives.

As a running person, my feet often hurt.

Why is that laughing woman pointing at me?

Is this fun or what!!!???  Create a couple of mind-bending examples:

 

 

 

 

Had enough of these entertaining verbals? I know I have.

---

To return to Step Two, please click :  Step Two