English 9 Reviewer: Verbals and Gerunds

Verbals

• Derived from verbs, but function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs
• Types of verbals:
  • Gerunds: verb ending in "-ing" that functions as a noun
  • Infinitives: formed by putting "to" before the base form of the verb, functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb
  • Participles: function as an adjective, formed in "-ing" or "-ed/-en" forms

Gerunds

• Always end in "-ing"
• Functions as a noun, can be:
  • Subject: "Singing the words out loud helped with his stammer."
  • Direct object: "You don’t stop laughing because you grow old."
  • Object of preposition: "I'm tired of eating."
  • Subjective complement: "The best part of the party is dancing."
  • Appositive: "The game, playing soccer, is my favorite."

Infinitives

• Formed by putting "to" before the base form of the verb
• Functions as:
  • Noun: "To win is my goal."
  • Adjective: "The book to read is on the table."
  • Adverb: "I'm going to the store to buy milk."

Participles

• Present participle: ends in "-ing" and is used to describe an ongoing action
• Past participle: usually ends in "-ed" or "-en" and is used to describe a completed action
• Examples: "The baking bread" (present), "The baked bread" (past)

William Shakespeare

• English playwright, poet, and actor
• Born on April 23, 1564, and died on April 23, 1616
• Known as "England's national poet"
• Wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and 2 narrative poems

Romeo and Juliet

• Characters:
  • Romeo Montague: 16-year-old, handsome, and witty
  • Juliet Capulet: 13-year-old, beautiful, and passionate
  • Friar Laurence: adviser and friend of Romeo and Juliet
  • Mercutio: close friend of Romeo
  • Tybalt: Juliet's cousin
  • Lord and Lady Capulet: Juliet's parents
  • Lord and Lady Montague: Romeo's parents
  • Paris: handsome, wealthy, suitor of Juliet
  • Prince Escalus: Prince of Verona
  • Rosaline: Niece of Lord Capulet
  • Nurse: Personal servant and guardian of Juliet
  • Balthazar: Romeo's manservant

Literary Terms

• Tone: author's attitude or feeling about a subject
• Mood: reader's feeling or atmosphere evoked by a text
• Purpose of the author:
  • To persuade: convince the reader of a point
  • To entertain: amuse or engage the reader
  • To inform: share factual information with the reader

Theatre Terms

• Blocking: movement of actors on stage
• Break a leg: "good luck" before a performance
• Claque: persons hired to applaud during a performance
• Dramatis/Dramatic Personae: Latin expression for the cast of a play
• Encore: request for a repeat performance
• Stage Fright: normal tension before the start of a play
• Denouement: ending or conclusion of a play
• Mime: communication without words
• Cameo: small but important role
• Curtain Call: bowing at the end of a play