A verbal is somewhat like a verb. But, a verbal functions quite differently from a verb. We are going to introduce three types of verbals: gerunds, infinitives, participles.

A gerund takes this form: "verb + ing".

A gerund functions as a noun and thus can function as a subject, direct object, subject complement, or object of preposition.

Gerund as subject:

• Eating is my hobby.
• Running is a good form of exercise.

Gerund as direct object:

• I really enjoy your singing.
• He loves your cooking.

Gerund as subject complement:

• Everyone is sleeping.
• The runners are panting heavily.

Gerund as object of preposition:

• The police arrested them for rioting.
• The Principal reprimanded the boys for fighting.

If you want to learn more about gerund phrases, click here.

An infinitive takes this form: "to + verb".

An infinitive can function as a subject, direct object, subject complement, adjective or adverb.

Infinitive as subject:

• To cook this dish requires years of experience.

Infinitive as direct object:

• Every child loves to play.

Infinitive as subject complement:

• My dream is to travel around the world.

Infinitive as adjective:

• Sandy lacks the stamina to run a marathon.

Infinitive as adverb:

• We must eat to survive.

We often mix up infinitives with prepositional phrase beginning with “to”. It is understandable because both are so similar.

Here are some tips:

• Take note that infinitives take the form "to + verb": to run, to hit, to catch, to hide
• Take note that prepositional phrases take the form "to + noun or pronoun and any modifiers": to the forest, to the school, to the cinema

If you want to learn more about infinitive phrases, click here.

A participle is somewhat like an adjective. Therefore, a participle also modifies nouns and pronouns.

Present Participles:

• The missing man has been found this morning.

Past Participles:

• The injured man found his way to the hospital.
• The mentally-shaken hostages were finally freed yesterday.
• The newly introduced scheme is widely accepted by the public.

Note that past participles end in –ed (injured), -en (shaken), -d (introduced), -t (learnt), or -n (seen).

If you want to learn more about participial phrases, click here.