Use verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) correctly.
8th Grade Writing - Verbs Lesson
Gerund
A gerund is a verbal—a verb form used as another part of speech. A gerund is a verbal that is used as a noun.
Example:
Wearing a homemade costume for Halloween is fun.
In this sentence, the word “wearing” is being used as a noun to show what is fun for Halloween.
Infinitive
An infinitive is a verbal—a verb form that is used as another part of speech. An infinitive always includes the word “to” followed by a verb.
Example:
Before finishing high school, Constance wanted to read some classic books.
In this sentence, the infinitive “to secure” is the object of the verb “read.”
Participle
A participle is a verbal that is used as an adjective, and most often ends in –ed or –ing.
Example:
The flying kite swirled and danced in the periwinkle sky.
In this sentence, the word “flying” is an adjective that describes “kite.”
Active and Passive Voice
Active Voice
Sentences that use the active voice include the subject of the sentence performing the action shown in the verb.
Example:
European folk musicians traditionally use the oboe.
Passive Voice
In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence is acted upon.
Example:
In the passive voice, auxiliary verb (be) and the past participle form of the verb is used.
Sometimes, the doer of the action is unclear in the passive voice.
Example:
The children were raised in the wild.
Verb Mood
Verb moods indicate a state of being or reality.
Indicative Mood
The indicative mood is used to state a fact or a question. In English, most sentences are in the indicative mood.
Example:
The children fell asleep in the living room.
Imperative Mood
The imperative mood is used to give a command. Most commonly, the subject does not appear in the sentence.
Example:
(You) Listen to your mother and follow her advice.
Conditional Mood
The conditional mood is used to indicate a conditional state that will cause something else to happen. The conditional is marked by the words might, could, and would.
Example:
The children will wake up if you make a noise.
Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is used to suggest an idea that is doubtful, or a wish/dream. It is used with the verbs advise, ask, command, demand, desire, insist, propose, recommend, request, suggest, urge.
Example:
I wish I were on spring break!
The teacher suggests that we prepare for the exam well.
Verb Mood Shift
A shift in verb mood happens when you use two different verb moods in a sentence.
The inappropriate shift in verb mood confuses the reader and makes the meaning unclear. To correct the shift, both clauses in the sentence must be in the same mood.
The inappropriate shift in verb mood confuses the reader and makes the meaning unclear. To correct the shift, both clauses in the sentence must be in the same mood.
These are some examples of shifts in verb mood:
Example:
Take your hat off, and you will hang up the sweater, too.
The sentence switches from imperative to indicative verb mood.
Correction:
Take your hat off, and hang up your sweater, too.
The entire sentence is in imperative verb mood.
Example:
The Sarah made a cake in a mug in the microwave, but didn’t she share it?
The sentence switches from imperative to interrogative verb mood.
Correction:
Sarah made a cake in a mug in the microwave, but she didn’t share it.
8th Grade Writing - Verbs Lesson