Lesson 3

Verbals

Verb forms that are not the main verb — how to spot them and why they matter.

What Is a Verbal?

A verbal is any verb form that is not the main verb of the sentence. Verbals look like verbs, but they function as part of a phrase that adds extra information — they are never doing the main action of the sentence.

For our purposes there are two main types:

In traditional grammar these are called participial phrases and infinitive phrases — but you don't need to remember that.

Verbal Phrases: verb + ing

These phrases begin with a verb+ing form and often include additional words.

Mark fell off his chair, laughing hard.
Running (through the park), she felt free.
Baking cookies (for the bake sale), they filled the kitchen with warmth.
Jumping high, he touched the ceiling.
Studying late (into the night), she prepared for the exam.
Singing loudly, the children filled the room with joy.
Laughing (at the joke), they could barely speak.
Hiking (up the mountain), we stopped to rest.
Working late, she missed dinner again.
Standing strong, he refused to give up.

Verbal Phrases: verb + ed

These phrases begin with a past participle form (verb+ed or an irregular past form).

In traditional grammar these are called past participial phrases — but you don't need to remember that.

Excited by the news, she jumped up and down in joy.
Bored by the lecture, the students started doodling.
The dog, trained to perform tricks, delighted the crowd.
The children played in the park, delighted by the sunny weather.

Verbal Phrases: to + verb

In traditional grammar these are called infinitive phrases — but you don't need to remember that.

"To" can appear in two ways. As a preposition it is followed by a noun:

to the bank  ·  to the right  ·  to that place

As a verbal it is followed directly by a verb:

to be  ·  to eat  ·  to go  ·  to sleep  ·  to learn  ·  to run  ·  to dance  ·  to sing

Verbals with "to" can never be the main verb of a sentence. For example:

Mom told me (to eat).  "Told" is the verb — not "eat".
Mom told me [ to eat my dinner ].  "My dinner" is inside the verbal phrase — not the subject.

More to+verb examples

Mark enjoys [ reading books ] (in the evening).
She plans [ to visit her grandparents ] (during the holidays).
Tom wants [ to learn ] [ to swim ] (before summer starts).
She baked her friend a cake (for the birthday party), [ hoping [ to surprise everyone ] ].
He painted the fence (around the garden) [ to enhance its appearance ].
[ To prepare (for the exam) ], John enrolled (in an online course).
They hope [ to impress their manager (with their work) ].
He decided [ to take a break (from work) ] [ to focus (on his health) ].
She traveled (to Europe) (during the summer) [ to explore new cultures ].
He went (to the gym) (after work) [ to stay fit ] and [ to relieve stress (from his busy day) ].

The Extra Word

Sometimes verbal phrases or prepositional phrases are preceded by words like because, while, after, whenever, unless, although. These are called subordinating conjunctions — but for now, just include them as part of the phrase when grouping.

Although [ tired (from work) ], she decided [ to go (for a run) ].
While [ studying diligently ], she managed [ to improve her grades ].
He takes a walk (in the park) whenever [ feeling stressed ].
Unless [ motivated by a challenge ], she tends [ to lose focus ].
He read a book while [ waiting (for the bus) ].
Because (of the cold weather), they decided [ to stay indoors ].
She feels a sense (of relief) whenever [ completing her project ].
While [ preparing (for the exam) ], she studied late (into the night).
Though (without any formal training), he excelled (in his role).
The children should not play (near the water) unless (under supervision).
He often doodles (in his notebook) while (in class).

The Key Rule

Words inside verbal phrases — just like prepositional phrases — can NEVER be the subject or main verb of a sentence.

The full phrase itself might be the subject or object, but not any individual word inside it. That is covered in Lesson 8.