Verbal Nouns
Sometimes we can change a verb and make it into a noun. One of the most common ways of doing this is adding the suffix -ing. Let's see what verbal nouns are!
What Are Verbal Nouns?
A verbal noun (also called gerundial noun) is a noun that is derived from a verb, but does not have features and properties of a verb. Except for gerunds which we will explain later. Verbal nouns have plural forms like a noun. They can also have determiners and adjectives. In English, verbal nouns are formed as follows:
How To Form Verbal Nouns: Adding a Suffix
In English, we can form verbal nouns with several different suffixes. Look at the examples:
refuse (verb) + -al (suffix) = refusal (verbal noun)
A verbal noun can have a meaning related to its verb section, but it is not exactly the same.
agree (verb) + -ment (suffix) = agreement (verbal noun)
How To Form Verbal Nouns: Adding -ing
A gerund is a noun that is derived from a verb and have a few verb-like properties. Gerunds are made by adding the suffix -ing to the verbs. They can be modified by an adverb and can take a direct object.
play (verb) + -ing (suffix) = playing (gerund)
build (verb) + -ing (suffix) = building (gerund)
Tip!
All verbal nouns are not gerunds, but all gerunds are verbal nouns.
Gerunds: Functions
A gerund can have many functions in the English language. It can be used as:
The subject of a verb:
Here, 'stealing' is the subject and as mentioned before, it is a gerund.
The object of a verb:
He tried to quit
Objects can come after transitive verbs or after prepositions.
I love
The complement of a verb:
One of his hobbies is
What I like most in the world is
What I like most about
Here, 'about' is a preposition and 'swimming' is its 'object.'
He has tried to give up the habit of
A part of a compound noun:
I put the dirty clothes in the
I swim every day in the
Using Present Participle as the Subject
Warning
When a gerund is preceded by a noun or a pronouns, it must be in the possessive form.
Please excuse me asking this question.")
Infinitives
The infinitive form of a verb is formed with 'to' before the base form of a verb. It can function as a noun. Thus in many sentences, either a gerund or an infinitive may be used without any special difference in meaning. The infinitives can be:
The subject of a verb:
This sentence is the same as, ''saving lives is important.''
The object of a verb:
I want
As you might know, 'Want' is a transitive verb which requires an object, in this case to drink is the object of the verb.
I would like
The complement of a verb:
His dream was
It is important to know that If there is an infinitive after 'to be verbs' it cannot be the object; it is called the complements.
Our job is
The object of a preposition:
What I'm about
Here in this example, 'about' is a preposition followed by an infinitive (object).
Gerund or Infinitive?
Because both the gerund and the infinitive have the same function, therefore in many cases, either one of them can be used in a sentence without any differences in meaning. For example:
Do not forget
Review
Here there are the tables that make it easy to understand and remember this lesson.
| Common ways of making verbal nouns | |
|---|---|
| Adding -al | refuse (verb) + -al (suffix) = refusal (verbal noun) |
| Adding -ment | agree (verb) + -ment (suffix) = agreement (verbal noun) |
| Adding -ing | play (verb) + -ing (suffix) = playing (gerund) |
| The usage of gerunds | |
|---|---|
| The subject of a verb |
|
| The object of a verb |
He tried to quit |
| The complement of a verb |
One of his hobbies is |
| The object of a preposition |
He has tried to give up the habit |
| A part of a compound noun |
I swim every day in the |
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