Now we’re getting into nail-biting territory: verbals. What are they?  Are they contagious? Do you need a shot before you deal with them? Will you survive the experience? RELA-A-A-X. Maggie Marmalade will lead the way through the jungles of indecision and trauma.

The first thing to do is to get your will in order and withdraw all your money from the bank. No, seriously, the first thing to do is to learn about what verbals are. There are three kinds of verbals: gerunds, infinitives, and participles.  These verbals or verb derivatives, may take objects, complements, modifiers and sometimes subjects.

A gerund is a verbal that ends in -"ing" and functions as a noun. Gerunds may take objects, complements, or modifiers.
Here are some examples of gerunds:

(1)  "Borrowing money is usually a mistake."  In this sentence,
     "borrowing" is a gerund.  It is the subject of the sentence.       "Money" is the object of the gerund.
(2)  "Seeing is believing."  In this example, there are two  gerunds.  The first, "seeing," is the subject of the sentence. The    second, "believing," is the subject complement.
(3)  "I enjoy studying biology."  In this example, the gerund is "studying."  The object of the gerund is "biology."

The infinitive is usually composed of the word "to" plus the present form of a verb.  Infinitives are used as nouns, adjectives or adverbs.  They can have subjects, objects, complements or modifiers. Here are some examples of infinitives:

(1)  "Hal wanted to open the present."  In this sentence, the infinitive is "to open".  The infinitive phrase is the object of the verb "wanted" and "present" is the object of the infinitive.
(2)  "Language to suit the occasion is best."  In this example, the infinitive is "to suit." It is used as an adjective modifying  the noun "language." the object of the infinitive is "occasion."
(3)  "I nodded to show respect."  In this example, the infinitive is "to show" which is used as an adverb modifying the verb "nodded."  The noun "respect" is the object of the infinitive.

The participle  verbal is used as an adjective and can take
an object, a complement or modifiers.  Here are some examples:

(1)  "The prisoner carrying the heaviest load toppled forward."
      In this example, the participle is "carrying."  It modifies
      the noun "prisoner."  Its object is "load."
(2)  "The bridge covered with ice was narrow."  In this example, the participle is "covered" which modifies the noun "bridge."
(3)  "The spaghetti, tasting good to everyone, was a popular choice."  In this example, the participle is "tasting."
      The complement is "good."  "Tasting" modifies the noun "spaghetti."
 
 Now, see if you can identify the verbals in the following sentences.

1.  Sally wanted to see the movie showing at the Ritz in town.
_____________________________________________________________

2.  Making plans for the future is a good idea.______________

3.  After closing on her house, Tanya decided to sell some of
    the furniture.___________________________________________

4. Jesse decided to help his brother build a new house.
    _____________________________________________

5.  Having seen the movie before, Wanda decided to stay home and
    wash her hair.___________________________________________

6.  It was satisfying to have finished the test, and Mike, having
    a few extra minutes, decided that checking his answers would
    be a good idea._____________________________________________

7.  Finding the restaurant was not difficult, but not eating too
    much was a real chore.______________________________________

(Answers below.)

Answers:

1. to see=infinitive; showing=participle
2. making=gerund
3. closing=gerund; to sell=infinitive
4. to help=infinitive; build= infinitive (to is understood)
5. having seen=participle; to stay=infinitive; wash=infinitive
6. to have finished-infinitive; having=participle; checking=gerund
7. finding=gerund; eating=gerund