Nouns
Verbs
In one sense, the three verbals — gerunds, infinitives, and participles — should not be covered in this section on verbs. Although formed from verbs, verbals are never used alone as the action words in sentences; instead, they function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. These verbals are important in phrases.
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The gerund ends in - ing and functions as a noun.
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Jumping is fun.
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He liked skiing.
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The infinitive is the base form of a verb with to. Usually it also functions as a noun, although it can be an adjective or adverb.
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To jump is fun. (noun; subject of is)
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I like to ski. (noun; object of like)
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She had a suggestion to offer. (adjective modifying suggestion)
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He called to warn her. (adverb modifying called)
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A participle is a verb that ends in - ing (present participle) or - ed, -d, -t, -en, -n (past participle). Participles may function as adjectives, describing or modifying nouns.
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The dancing bear entertained the crowd.
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The beaten man hobbled into the woods.
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But participles have another function. Used with helping verbs such as to be and to have, they form several verb tenses.
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She is thinking of the children.
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The boat had been cleaned before they arrived.
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