What is a verbal?
Verbal is a term used to describe a verb when it is functioning as an adjective, an adverb or a noun. In essence, the verb changes its function; it is no longer a verb. Because its function changes, its name also changes.
Three types of verbals are participles, infinitives, and gerunds.
Participles
Participles are verbals that function as adjectives, which modify nouns.
Examples of Verbals Used in Sentences
The cracked window needs to be repaired.
The increasing cost of gas is affecting our profit margins.
The scorching sun is penetrating through the broken office blinds.
The awe-inspiring CEO motivated the self-effacing new recruit.
Infinitives
Infinitives are verbals that function as adverbs, adjectives, or nouns. Infinitives include the word to and the infinitive form of a verb. To be and to go are examples of infinitive constructions.
Examples of Infinitives Used in Sentences
I can’t wait to test our new marketing software.
She plans to retire in August.
We hired specialists to help us invigorate our brand.
During the review, my manager certainly gave me something to think about.
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To become CEO is my dream.
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Gerunds
Gerunds are verbals that function as nouns.
Examples of Gerunds Used in Sentences
Proofreading is a tedious but important part of the report writing process.
He enjoys swimming after a long day at the office.
Troubleshooting is one of our manager’s strengths.
Points to remember when using infinitives and gerunds
Infinitives: avoid splitting infinitives
| Split Infinitive – Incorrect | The janitor began to carefully sort the broken glass. | This is the goal we hope to someday reach. | HR decided to carefully evaluate the benefits of a four-day work week. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrected | The janitor began to sort the broken glass carefully. | This is the goal we hope to reach someday. | HR decided to evaluate the benefits of a four-day work week carefully. |
Infinitives: use “to“ not “and“ with infinitives
| Incorrect | Try and be on time for next week’s meeting. |
|---|---|
| Correct | Try to be on time for next week’s meeting. |
Gerunds: use a possessive pronoun before a gerund
| Incorrect | We appreciate you bringing the matter to our attention. | You offering to work overtime to complete the project impressed the vice president. | Please excuse us interrupting this morning’s meeting. | The moderator was disappointed in they using cell phones during the discussion. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Correct | We appreciate your bringing the matter to our attention. | Your offering to work overtime to complete the project impressed the vice president. | Please excuse our interrupting this morning’s meeting. | The moderator was disappointed in their using cell phones during the discussion. |
Dangling modifiers: keep the participle phrase next to the noun it describes
| Incorrect | Having missed the deadline, an alternate plan had to be made. | After evaluating the study results, the experiment was extended. |
|---|---|---|
| Correct | Having missed the deadline, the coordinator had to make an alternate plan. | After evaluating the study results, the scientists extended the experiment. |
Exercises
Practice 1
Click on the links below to do a self-check quiz on verbals.
- Verbals 1 (https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/quiz/jeu-quiz-modes-verbaux1-eng)
- Verbals 2 (https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/quiz/jeu-quiz-modes-verbaux2-eng)
- Peck’s English Pointers: The Elusive Dangling Modifier (https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/pecks-english-pointers/elusive-dangling-modifier)
Practice 2
Correct the errors in verbal usage below.
- Can you try and match the information on spending to individual customer preference?
- We appreciate John writing the report abstract.
- Check and see if the internet connection is stable.
- Our client objects to him drinking beer during the working lunch meeting.
- We have to reschedule our front desk operations because of him moving to the Waterloo branch.