Verbals in English Grammar – Definition, Types, and Examples

What Are Verbals?

The term “verbal” comes from the word “verb,” which means an action word. However, verbals are unique because, while they are derived from verbs, they do not function as verbs in sentences. Instead, verbals in English grammar act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.

Verbals often appear in verbal phrases, where they combine with other words to add clarity and meaning. There are three main types of verbals: gerunds, participles, and infinitives. Understanding them can help you write more concise, expressive, and grammatically correct sentences.

1. Gerunds

A gerund is a verb that ends in -ing and functions as a noun. Because they act as nouns, gerunds can be the subject, object, or complement in a sentence.

Examples of gerunds in sentences:

• Eating is my favorite hobby. (subject)

• My most-awaited part of the year is traveling. (complement)

• Writing calms my soul. (object)

Gerund Phrases – When gerunds expand into phrases, they still act as nouns.

• Running towards the goal is not an easy journey.

• The traveler was given a traveling strategy in Asia.

• Loving a man takes a lot of patience.

Rule: If the word ends in -ing and functions as a thing rather than describing something, it is a gerund.

2. Participles

A participle is a form of a verb that acts as an adjective, describing or modifying a noun. There are two types: present participles and past participles.

Present Participles (-ing forms as adjectives):

• Smiling, the man shook the hand of the love of his life.

• Studying as a pre-medicine student, Gab drank her hot coffee.

• Standing by the bus stop, the girl smiled at a boy.

Past Participles (usually -ed, -d, -t, -en, or -n forms):

• The burned spaghetti was eaten by the child.

• The vaccinated baby cried in the emergency room.

• Chopped into smaller pieces, the meat was put into the pan.

Rule: Gerunds and present participles both end in -ing, but remember—gerunds act as nouns, while participles act as adjectives.

3. Infinitives

An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by the word to (to + verb). Infinitives can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs depending on their role in the sentence.

Infinitives as Nouns:

• My plan after graduating college is to go to medical school.

• His dream is to travel the world.

Infinitives as Adverbs:

• To pass the exam, one must study hard.

• She spoke loudly to grab everyone’s attention.

Infinitives as Adjectives:

• Switzerland is a beautiful place to relax.

• A café is a good place to study for an exam.

Infinitive phrases often make writing more purposeful, showing intention, reason, or description.

Why Learning Verbals Matters

Understanding gerunds, participles, and infinitives helps in constructing precise and stylistically varied sentences. They allow writers to:

• Condense complex ideas into shorter phrases.

• Add description and detail without creating wordy sentences.

• Improve fluency and sophistication in both written and spoken English.

Key Takeaway

Verbals in English grammar may come from verbs, but they do not act as verbs. Instead, they transform into nouns (gerunds), adjectives (participles), or nouns/adjectives/adverbs (infinitives). Recognizing the types of verbals and their roles in sentences is essential for mastering grammar and writing with clarity. By practicing verbal phrases in English, learners can make their communication smoother, more descriptive, and more professional.