Grammar 101 - Advanced Verbs
Grammar 101: Advanced Verbs - with examples from Stargate SG-1.
Now that we've learned about verbs, basic sentence structure and parts of speech, it's time to look at advanced verbs - the various forms of verbs known as verbals and moods.
When is a verb not a verb?
In order to define the difference between a verb and a verbal, we need to understand that while both verbs and verbals express action, verbals are also used as a noun, adverb or adjective. And because they do not function as a true verb, they can never be the verb of the sentence. The best way to tell the difference between the two is to look at how the word is used. The following examples show how the word sleeping can form part of a verb, then how it can be used as a participle:
Daniel was sleeping on the cold, hard floor.
In the above example, was sleeping is the verb describing what Daniel was doing. This verb form is called the past progressive.
The sleeping natives never stood a chance when the Unas found their home.
In this example, sleeping is an adjective, because it describes the natives.
Verbals are split up into three types; participles, gerunds and infinitives. Let's look at each one separately.
Masquerading Verbs Running Around as Adjectives
Participles are verbs that are used as adjectives, words that modify or describe a noun in a sentence, and are divided even further into two forms: present and past. Again, even though they are action words, they are not used as verbs in sentences.
Present participles are created by adding -ing to the end of the present tense form, or the root, of the verb. This implies that the action is ongoing at the same time as the action of the main verb.
The hair at the back of Jack's neck rose when he heard the man's dying screams.
His hair rose at the same time as the man's screams. Dying modifies the word "screams".
Smiling, Cassie watched Sam pull out the chess board.
Smiling is an adjective that describes Cassie.
Past participles usually have an -ed, -en, -d, -t or -n added to the end of the root form of the verb to show that the action is completed, and sometimes ongoing at the time of the main verb.
Shaken, Daniel walked away from the group.
Carter picked up the blanket, a worried look on her face as she scanned the woods.
Since When is a Verb a Noun?
Gerunds, like present participles, end in -ing, but functions as a noun. At first glance, you see a verb, but if you look closer, the verb is really part of the subject or the direct object of a sentence. Look carefully at the following sentences.
"Fishing is relaxing," Jack said defensively.
Fishing is the subject of this sentence, therefore a noun.
Daniel dislikes killing, almost as much as Jack loathes the Jaffa.
Killing is the direct object of the verb dislikes.
Gerunds are nouns, which means they can be used the same way nouns are used, such as a subject or an object of the verb. And just as nouns can be modified, so can gerunds.
It's Still Not a Verb
Verbs in their simplest form, when preceded by the word, to, makes up the infinitive and can be used as nouns, adverbs or adjectives.
Sam likes to work on her motorcycle whenever she's off duty.
Teal'c turned to look at the man, who had come to see Vala's merchandise.
It is considered wrong to split an infinitive, which is done by adding in another word between the to and the verb. For more information on split infinitives, redatdawn wrote an excellent description of them here.
Verbs Have Feelings Too!
Actually, the mood of a verb really isn't an emotional state like the kind we deal with. Basically, it refers to the attitude of the author/speaker in terms of what is written or spoken. Mood reflects the author's mental conception of the what the verb should convey.
There are three moods: indicative, imperative and subjunctive.
The indicative mood is utilized to state a fact, describe what happens, or make a statement and is sometimes used in the form of a question. Another way to think of it: the indicative is often used to indicate what's going on.
Jack aimed his gun at the leader.
The stars glittered in the night sky, like diamonds on black velvet.
Imperative moods are verbs that demand or request something and are always in the second person. The word you is a part of the statement, even though it is usually left out, because commands are always directed at another person. Try putting the word you into the following examples.
"Take Carter and get out of here!"
"Just tell me the basics and leave all of the techno-babble out of it."
Subjunctive moods are characterized by wishful thinking or conditional statements. These statements are based solely on hypothetical situations, or on what could happen. The word if is used frequently with subjunctive moods, as is would, could, might, though, unless, till, and that.
"It would be great if we could only make it to the Gate in time."
"If I hadn't been there in the first place, you'd all be dead."
The present tense of subjunctive moods are formed by using the root of the verb, while the past tense forms are the same as the indicative.
Selmak took control, as if he owned the place.
Jacob fought against the impulse, though it cost him dearly.
To find out more about conditionals, verilyverity gave us an excellent write up on the subject.
As you can see, verbals and moods are important aspects of words and how they affect each and every sentence. They are used to help express views, relay facts and to communicate thoughts on "what ifs".
Now that we've learned about verbs, basic sentence structure and parts of speech, it's time to look at advanced verbs - the various forms of verbs known as verbals and moods.
When is a verb not a verb?
In order to define the difference between a verb and a verbal, we need to understand that while both verbs and verbals express action, verbals are also used as a noun, adverb or adjective. And because they do not function as a true verb, they can never be the verb of the sentence. The best way to tell the difference between the two is to look at how the word is used. The following examples show how the word sleeping can form part of a verb, then how it can be used as a participle:
Daniel was sleeping on the cold, hard floor.
In the above example, was sleeping is the verb describing what Daniel was doing. This verb form is called the past progressive.
The sleeping natives never stood a chance when the Unas found their home.
In this example, sleeping is an adjective, because it describes the natives.
Verbals are split up into three types; participles, gerunds and infinitives. Let's look at each one separately.
Masquerading Verbs Running Around as Adjectives
Participles are verbs that are used as adjectives, words that modify or describe a noun in a sentence, and are divided even further into two forms: present and past. Again, even though they are action words, they are not used as verbs in sentences.
Present participles are created by adding -ing to the end of the present tense form, or the root, of the verb. This implies that the action is ongoing at the same time as the action of the main verb.
The hair at the back of Jack's neck rose when he heard the man's dying screams.
His hair rose at the same time as the man's screams. Dying modifies the word "screams".
Smiling, Cassie watched Sam pull out the chess board.
Smiling is an adjective that describes Cassie.
Past participles usually have an -ed, -en, -d, -t or -n added to the end of the root form of the verb to show that the action is completed, and sometimes ongoing at the time of the main verb.
Shaken, Daniel walked away from the group.
Carter picked up the blanket, a worried look on her face as she scanned the woods.
Since When is a Verb a Noun?
Gerunds, like present participles, end in -ing, but functions as a noun. At first glance, you see a verb, but if you look closer, the verb is really part of the subject or the direct object of a sentence. Look carefully at the following sentences.
"Fishing is relaxing," Jack said defensively.
Fishing is the subject of this sentence, therefore a noun.
Daniel dislikes killing, almost as much as Jack loathes the Jaffa.
Killing is the direct object of the verb dislikes.
Gerunds are nouns, which means they can be used the same way nouns are used, such as a subject or an object of the verb. And just as nouns can be modified, so can gerunds.
It's Still Not a Verb
Verbs in their simplest form, when preceded by the word, to, makes up the infinitive and can be used as nouns, adverbs or adjectives.
Sam likes to work on her motorcycle whenever she's off duty.
Teal'c turned to look at the man, who had come to see Vala's merchandise.
It is considered wrong to split an infinitive, which is done by adding in another word between the to and the verb. For more information on split infinitives, redatdawn wrote an excellent description of them here.
Verbs Have Feelings Too!
Actually, the mood of a verb really isn't an emotional state like the kind we deal with. Basically, it refers to the attitude of the author/speaker in terms of what is written or spoken. Mood reflects the author's mental conception of the what the verb should convey.
There are three moods: indicative, imperative and subjunctive.
The indicative mood is utilized to state a fact, describe what happens, or make a statement and is sometimes used in the form of a question. Another way to think of it: the indicative is often used to indicate what's going on.
Jack aimed his gun at the leader.
The stars glittered in the night sky, like diamonds on black velvet.
Imperative moods are verbs that demand or request something and are always in the second person. The word you is a part of the statement, even though it is usually left out, because commands are always directed at another person. Try putting the word you into the following examples.
"Take Carter and get out of here!"
"Just tell me the basics and leave all of the techno-babble out of it."
Subjunctive moods are characterized by wishful thinking or conditional statements. These statements are based solely on hypothetical situations, or on what could happen. The word if is used frequently with subjunctive moods, as is would, could, might, though, unless, till, and that.
"It would be great if we could only make it to the Gate in time."
"If I hadn't been there in the first place, you'd all be dead."
The present tense of subjunctive moods are formed by using the root of the verb, while the past tense forms are the same as the indicative.
Selmak took control, as if he owned the place.
Jacob fought against the impulse, though it cost him dearly.
To find out more about conditionals, verilyverity gave us an excellent write up on the subject.
As you can see, verbals and moods are important aspects of words and how they affect each and every sentence. They are used to help express views, relay facts and to communicate thoughts on "what ifs".