VERBAL PHRASES

Back in time

500

The sentences below contain excessive nominalization (using nouns instead of verbs). Rewrite them in a more direct and active way by changing the noun forms into verbs:

"The implementation of the new policy resulted in increased efficiency."

The company implemented the new policy, increasing efficiency.

1000

The following passages have issues with cohesion (how well sentences connect) and coherence (logical flow of ideas). Rewrite each passage to improve clarity, logical order, and smooth transitions:

"People love reading books. Some people like fiction. Other people prefer non-fiction. Books can be expensive. Libraries help people access books for free."

People love reading books, whether fiction or non-fiction. However, books can be expensive. Fortunately, libraries provide free access to books, allowing more people to enjoy reading.

1500

Each sentence below has issues with coordination (connecting ideas logically) or parallel structure (keeping similar elements in the same grammatical form). Rewrite the sentences to improve clarity and consistency:

"The students were asked to write an essay, completing a worksheet, and to give a presentation."

The students were asked to write an essay, complete a worksheet, and give a presentation.

Grammar in action

500

Each sentence below contains an error in the use of gerunds, infinitives, or participial phrases. Identify the mistake and rewrite the sentence correctly:

"She enjoys to swim in the ocean during the summer."

She enjoys swimming in the ocean during the summer.

The verb "enjoy" is always followed by a gerund (verb + -ing), not an infinitive.

1000

Each sentence below contains an error in the use of gerunds, infinitives, or participial phrases. Identify the mistake and rewrite the sentence correctly:

"He stopped to talk when the teacher entered the room."

He stopped talking when the teacher entered the room.

The meaning changes depending on whether we use an infinitive or a gerund:

• "Stopped to talk" means he paused another action in order to talk (not the intended meaning here).
• "Stopped talking" means he was talking and then stopped, which fits the sentence better.

1500

Each sentence below contains an error in the use of gerunds, infinitives, or participial phrases. Identify the mistake and rewrite the sentence correctly:

"Walking to the store, a car almost hit me."

While I was walking to the store, a car almost hit me.

This is an example of a dangling participle:

• "Walking to the store" incorrectly suggests that the car was walking!
• To fix it, we rewrite the sentence to clarify that I was the one walking.

Phrase Hunters

500

Find the verbal phrase in each sentence:

"Terrified by the sudden noise, the cat jumped off the couch."

Terrified by the sudden noise

1000

Find the verbal phrase in each sentence:

To pass the exam, he studied whole night.

To pass the exam

1500

Find the verbal phrase in each sentence and identify its function:

"Challenged by the difficulties, she refused to give up."

Challenged by the difficulties

Function Junction

500

Specify the type of verbal phrases:

"Running every morning helps me stay healthy."

Answer: Gerund phrase

• "Running" is a gerund because it functions as a noun (the subject of the sentence).
• Gerund phrase = Gerund + modifiers/complements
• "Running every morning" is the subject of the sentence.

1000

Specify the type of verbal phrases:

"She agreed to help her friend with the project."

Answer: Infinitive phrase

• "To help" is an infinitive (to + base verb).
• Infinitive phrase = Infinitive + modifiers/complements
• Here, the phrase functions as the direct object of "agreed."

1500

Specify the type of verbal phrases:

"Shocked by the news, he dropped his phone."

Answer: Participial phrase

• "Shocked" is a past participle modifying "he."
• Participial phrase = Participle + modifiers/complements
• It functions as an adjective describing the subject "he."

Verb Transformers

500

Rewrite each sentence by changing the type of the verbal phrase while keeping the meaning as close as possible. Convert between gerund, infinitive, and participial phrases as needed:

"To finish the marathon requires a lot of training."

Finishing the marathon requires a lot of training.

• The infinitive phrase "To finish the marathon" (acting as the subject) is replaced with the gerund phrase"Finishing the marathon," which also functions as the subject of the sentence.

1000

Rewrite each sentence by changing the type of the verbal phrase while keeping the meaning as close as possible. Convert between gerund, infinitive, and participial phrases as needed:

"Impressed by his skills, the coach offered him a scholarship."

The coach offered him a scholarship to recognize his impressive skills.

• The participial phrase "Impressed by his skills" (describing the coach’s reaction) is replaced with an infinitive phrase "to recognize his impressive skills," which expresses the reason for offering the scholarship.

1500

Rewrite each sentence by changing the type of the verbal phrase while keeping the meaning as close as possible. Convert between gerund, infinitive, and participial phrases as needed:

"Her winning the debate surprised everyone."

Having won the debate, she surprised everyone.

• The gerund phrase "Her winning the debate" (acting as the subject) is replaced with the participial phrase"Having won the debate," which describes "she" while keeping the meaning intact.