Terms & Rules
a verbal that ends in -ed, -ing, or an irregular ending
participle
List the 4 functions of a gerund
subject, direct object, predicate nominative, object of preposition
List the 2 functions of a participle
adjective, part of verb
List the 3 functions of an infinitive
noun, adjective, adverb
Which sentence has a gerund functioning as a subject?
A. Our team’s main defense is tackling.
B. A win means earning more points than the opponent.
C. In a game, passing makes football more exciting.
D. A team earns three points by kicking a field goal.
C. In a game, passing makes football more exciting.
a verbal that always ends in -ing
gerund
Identify the gerund in the sentence and tell its function:
Becoming a medical doctor requires many years of education.
gerund: becoming
function: subject
Identify the participle in the sentence and tell its function:
Stay away from that deserted building.
participle: deserted
function: adjective
Identify the infinitive in the sentence and tell its function:
An effective strategy when reading a difficult text is to question.
infinitive: to question
function: noun
Which sentence has a gerund functioning as a direct object?
A. Defending the team’s own goal is crucial.
B. Another important element of defense is blocking.
C. Shoes with cleats prevent sliding on the floor.
D. The defense tries to keep its opponent from scoring.
C. Shoes with cleats prevent sliding on the floor.
a verb that functions as another part of speech
verbal
Identify the gerund in the sentence and tell its function:
After the first five minutes, I stopped listening to the speaker.
gerund: listening
function: direct object
Identify the participle in the sentence and tell its function:
His talent has impressed his teacher.
participle: impressed
function: part of verb
Identify the infinitive in the sentence and tell its function:
The best person to consult is your counselor.
function: adjective
Which sentence contains a participle acting as part of the verb?
A. The referee's job is enforcing the rules.
B. Birds learn flying in high winds at a young age.
C. They maintain endurance by running.
D. The team members are hoping for a victory.
D. The team members are hoping for a victory.
One way to check if a(n) ______ is acting as a ______ is by replacing it with its own gerund and seeing if the sentence keeps its meaning.
infinitive, noun
Identify the gerund in the sentence and tell its function:
One of a teacher's jobs during the school year is grading papers.
gerund: grading
function: predicate nominative
Identify the participle in the sentence and tell its function:
The long day was absolutely exhausting for the travelers after they arrived.
participle: exhausting
function: adjective
Identify the infinitive in the sentence and tell its function:
We tell stories to teach lessons.
infinitive: to teach
function: adverb
Which sentence contains an infinitive functioning as a noun?
A. According to her, the red team is the team to beat.
B. Doug went to Florida to see the Everglades.
C. She quickly ran to home plate during the game.
D. I love to go to the mall with my friends.
D. I love to go to the mall with my friends.
If an infinitive comes right after a(n) ______, the infinitive is probably acting as an adverb.
If an infinitive comes right after a(n) ______, the infinitive is probably acting as an adjective.
adjective
noun
Identify the gerund in the sentence and tell its function:
A team was earning points by scoring a touchdown in a football game.
gerund: scoring
function: object of preposition
Identify the participle in the sentence and tell its function:
She was terrifying her siblings with her screaming.
participle: terrifying
function: part of verb
Identify the infinitive in the sentence and tell its function:
Dana went to dance practice to learn ballet.
infinitive: to learn
function: adverb
Which sentence has an infinitive functioning as an adverb?
A. We practice hard to win the game.
B. To reach home plate is a wonderful feeling.
C. He says that Mark is the player to watch.
D. Hatchet is my next book to read.
A. We practice hard to win the game.
Identify the gerund in the sentence and tell its function:
After noticing the webs, she saw that spiders were scurrying across the ceiling.
gerund: noticing
function: object of preposition
Identify the participle in the sentence and tell its function:
The system had been broken for many years.
function: adjective
Name the two ways to tell if an infinitive is acting as an adverb.
If you can use "in order" in front of the infinitive, it is acting as an adverb. (or if you can answer why? about the verb)
If word in front of the infinitive is an adjective, it is most likely acting as an adverb.