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Verbal Phrases Practice
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Identify the type and function of the verbal phrase used in each of the following sentences:
I really enjoy reading a mystery novel on a rainy afternoon.
reading a mystery novel on a rainy afternoon: gerund (direct object)
My beagle puppy, chasing a squirrel across our yard, plunged into one of the piles of autumn leaves.
chasing a squirrel across our yard: present participle (adjective modifying "puppy")
Actually, my uncle's goal as a youth was to qualifiy for the Olympic Games in track and field.
to qualifiy for the Olympic Games in track and field: infinitive (predicate noun)
His trip to Mt. Whitney was disappointing.
disappointing: present participle (predicate adjective)
Mastering a foreign language can take several years.
Mastering a foreign language: gerund (subject)
Our dinner lasted so long that it was too late to go to the movie.
to go to the movie: infinitive (adverb modifying the adjective "late")
We found the abdominal exercise exhausting.
exhausting: present participle (object complement referring to "exercise")
The view from the top of the peak was quite exhilarating.
quite exhilarating: present participle (predicate adjective describing "view"
To arrive at the airport on time was Meridith's main concern.
To arrive at the airport on time: infinitive (subject of sentence)
Becoming a certified public accountant was her ambition.
Becoming a certified public accountant: gerund (subject)
Damaged by the fire, the painting was restored, then hung in the museum.
Damaged by the fire: past participle modifying "painting"
Michael wanted to buy a plasma television.
to buy a plasma television: infinitive (direct object)
I saw the dog climb over the fence and into my back yard.
the dog climb over the fence and into my back yard: infinitive with its own subject "dog" (infinitive is used as direct object of sentence)
Robert considered giving to charities an important part of his life.
giving to charities: gerund (direct object). NOTE the object complement of this sentence: "an important part of his life"
Gerald was the best in our group at bowling.
bowling: gerund (object of preposition "at")
The restaurant to cater your reunion is Olive Garden.
to cater your reunion: infinitive (adjective modifying "restaurant")
The injured young robin remained motionless on the branch.
injured: past participle (adjective modifying "robin")
We watched Gerald climb the tree.
Gerald climb the tree: infinitive with its own subject "Gerald" (infinitive is used as direct object of sentence)
Cheerfully helping your neighbors is a Christ-like act.
Cheerfully helping your neighbors: gerund (subject)
The water was too cold to swim.
to swim: infinitive used as adverb modifying the predicate adjective "cold"
The best summer activity is drinking lemonade.
drinking lemonade: gerund (predicate noun)
Donovan, rolling across the floor, imitated a bowling ball.
rolling across the floor: present participle adjective modifying "Donovan"
Shepherd of the Hills is the book to read.
to read: infinitive used as an adjective modifying the predicate noun "book"
Our cast improved its performance by practicing three times each week.
practicing three times each week: gerund (object of preposition)
To climb Mount Everest usually requires oxygen tanks.
To climb Mount Everest: infinitive (subject)
Kayaking is excellent for your heart and easy on your joints.
Kayaking: gerund (subject)
The meeting was too important to miss.
to miss: infinitive used as adverb modifying the predicate adjective "important"
Flying past his rival, Jacob ran the mile in school-record time.
Flying past his rival: present participle adjective modifying "Jacob"
The wilted bouquet hung limply in the vase.
wilted: past participle modifying "bouquet"
The country to visit is Switzerland.
to visit: infinitive used as adjective modifying the subject "country"
I sincerely enjoyed surfing off the coast of Oregon.
surfing off the coast of Oregon: gerund (direct object)
Rick became strong by pumping iron at his local gym.
pumping iron at his local gym: gerund (object of preposition "by")
We attempted to hide Maria's diary.
to hide Maria's diary: infinitive (direct object)
Wilson’s favorite sport is rock climbing.
rock climbing: gerund (predicate noun)
I asked him to bring his chess set.
him to bring his chess set: infinitive with its own subject "him" (infinitive is used as direct object of sentence)
Marshall started swapping baseball cards early in the second grade.
swapping baseball cards: gerund (direct object)
To blame your friends for your actions is immature.
To blame your friends for your actions: infinitive (subject)
Too stupid to watch, the movie went unviewed.
to watch: infinitive used as adverb modifying the adjective "stupid"
Donna pretended to be enjoying the movie.
to be enjoying the movie: infinitive (direct object)
The best exercise for your brain must be learning verbals.
learning verbals: gerund (predicate noun)