Chapter 10: Diagramming Verbals

Verbals are words that are formed from verbs, but do not act as verbs.

There are three types:

1. Gerunds end with ing and act like nouns.

2. Participles end in ing, d, t, or n, and they act as adjectives.

3. Infinitives are always to + a verb, and they can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.

Ready? You can do this! The answers are at the bottom of the page.

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10.0 Diagramming Gerunds

Remember, these verbals end with ing and act like nouns.

Directions: Diagram the following sentences. Place the gerund on a line that is drawn like a step. The ing part of the gerund goes on the bottom part of the step, and the rest goes on the top part of the step.

With a forked line, connect the step to the rest of the sentence wherever it should go. (Since gerunds are nouns, they can be the subject, direct object, object of the preposition, or predicate noun.)

In the example sentence, the gerund is acting as the subject.

Example: Running is fun.

Gerunds can also take complements and modifiers.

Example: Running marathons in the summer is hot.

1. My sister and I enjoy laughing.

2. Wow! Riding my bike is really fun.

3. Twenty minutes of jumping rope is good for your heart.

4. My favorite game is throwing frisbees to my dog.

5. I dream of diving to the bottom of the ocean.

10.1 Diagramming Participles

Remember, these verbals end in ing, d, t, or n, and act as adjectives.

Directions: Diagram the following sentences. Place the participle on a curved line below the word that it modifies.

Example: Sparkling stars glow.

Participles can also take modifiers.

Example: Stars sparkling in the night glow.

1. Have you seen my biking shorts?

2. Yuck! I hate burned toast.

3. I threw the ball to the girl running across the field.

4. The plants growing near the window need water.

5. The filtered water tastes delicious.

10.2 Diagramming Infinitives

Remember, these are always to + a verb, and they can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.

The infinitive in the example sentences is acting as a noun (the direct object).

Directions: Diagram the following sentences. Place the word to on an angled line, and write the verb on a horizontal line coming off of the angled line.

With a forked line, connect this to the rest of the sentence wherever it should go. (Infinitives can be nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.)

Example: I love to run.

Infinitives can also take complements and modifiers.

Example: I love to run marathons.

1. My dog love to bark at cars.

2. To master a new skill takes patience and persistence.

3. Jessica entered the race to win.

4. My goal is to live happily!

5. The puppies barked to get my attention.

Answers!

10.0 Diagramming Gerunds

10.1 Diagramming Participles

10.2 Diagramming Infinitives

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