Gerunds-Participles-Infinitives
Words are the weapons at the disposal of language learners. They should know about the possible use of these weapons. New words are formed from the existing words to create new patterns of meanings.
Why are verbs important?
Verbs are important words not only because they show
actions, they are also important because new words are formed from verbs which
give different meanings and serve different purposes.
Words formed from verbs are called verbals. Here is the list
of verbals:
·
Gerunds
·
Participles
·
Infinitives
Gerunds
Gerunds are verbs functioning as nouns. They are formed by
using ing with the base form of verbs. Like nouns, they come as subjects of
sentences, direct objects of verbs, indirect objects of verbs and objects of
prepositions. Here are a few examples to make the point clear.
1.
Going is not an easy
choice.
2.
Have you never heard whistling
of birds?
3.
Mourning is very much a
part of our existence.
Going, whistling and mourning are participles in the above
sentences.
Participles
Participles are verbs functioning as adjectives. Progressive
and third forms of verbs function as participles when they are used to add to
the meanings of nouns or give more details about nouns. Given below are a few
examples:
1.
Flying birds never fear a
fall.
2.
Stolen things were recovered.
3.
Having crossed the road,
they could see their destination very clear.
Flying, stolen and having crossed are participles. Flying is
present participle, stolen is past participle and having crossed is perfect
participle. You can see that participles function like adjectives. You can also see that participles are of three major kinds.
Infinitives
Infinitives are words formed by adding to prior to base form of
a verb. They function as nouns, adjectives and adverbs. Consider the following
examples having infinitives.
·
To be or not to be that is
the question.
·
To tell a lie to get a
truth.
·
He was ordered to leave.
Why should we know about gerunds, participles & infinitives?
The best soldiers are trained to use different and many kinds of
weapons. They are also trained to use their weapons for purposes other than
their original purposes. This makes them more authoritative, more resourceful,
more efficient and more reliable.
Similarly, students and learners of languages if they know
how to put words to different uses, they become more authoritative, more
resourceful, more efficient and more reliable. They can exploit more
possibilities of languages of giving new shades of meaning.
Gerunds provide a rich source of abstractions. Participles make
descriptions and details more vivid and striking. Writings with good
participles stand out and convey meanings more strongly. Infinitives are very
vital to different structures and meanings. Students and learners who are good
at using infinitives effortlessly stand good chance of making their writings
more profound and overwhelming.
Takeaways
Meanings are conveyed through words. The more words a
learner has at his command, the more fluently and impressively he will write. A
student should know how new words are formed from the existing words. Starting with
verbals is risk free and the easily available mine-house of new words. Gerunds,
participles and infinities are the words formed from verbs. They are quite
common in English language and learners should learn how to use them like great
masters. This will take their writings to a new high levels.
Now when we have talked about concepts, here are four
worksheets which teachers can use in their classes with students studying English at high school and college level.
 |
| Gerund/Participle/Infinitive/Worksheet#1 |
 |
| Gerund/Participle/Infinitive/Worksheet#2 |
 |
| Gerund/Participle/Infinitive/Worksheet#4 |
Comments
Post a Comment
Do not spam at all.