Questions and Answers
Why can the infinitive phrase be classified as a noun?
It functions as the subject.
During the summer, she likes (blank) her soccer skills so that she is ready to play in the fall.
to practice
When a sentence includes a participial phrase, the phrase functions as a(n) (blank).
adjective
Which part of the sentence is an infinitive: 'The teenagers went to town to muse over whether going to college or to university was the better choice.'?
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Which are true about participles? (Check all that apply)
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What is the best way to revise the sentence: 'Abashed by the harsh criticism, the mortifying writer decided to rewrite the beginning of the book.'?
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Which does the sentence contain: 'To the best of our knowledge, he decided that his major would be acting.'?
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Does the sentence 'On the first torrid day of summer, we always enjoy swimming.' contain a gerund?
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What is the type of the underlined phrase in 'Craving a more cosmopolitan lifestyle, the rural students were excited to travel to the city.'?
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Which part of the sentence functions as an adverb: 'The administrator of the company, the woman overseeing the department, added new personnel to better augment the existing sales force.'?
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Study Notes
Gerunds, Participles, and Infinitives Overview
- Gerunds are nouns formed from verbs, frequently used with the suffix "-ing."
- Participles act as adjectives, modifying nouns or pronouns.
- Infinitives appear in the form "to + verb" and can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
Infinitive Phrases
- Infinitive phrases can act as a noun within a sentence, such as the subject or object.
- Example: "to muse" in the sentence expresses purpose and functions as a noun.
- Common usage includes expressing intentions or plans, e.g., "to practice" skills or preferences.
Participles
- Participles often describe actions related to the nouns they modify.
- They can appear in different tenses (present or past) and provide additional context to sentences.
- Example: "mortifying" can be revised to "mortified" to accurately describe the writer's feeling.
Gerunds
- Gerunds serve as nouns and are often used in sentences to describe activities.
- Example in context: "swimming" in the sentence highlights enjoyment during summer.
Key Characteristics
- Participial phrases function as adjectives and always modify a noun or pronoun.
- Gerunds and infinitives can denote activities or concepts, making them essential for sentence structure.
- Best practices involve ensuring the correct form is used based on the sentence's context (e.g., using gerunds after verbs of enjoyment or prefer).
Application
- Identify whether a word in a sentence is functioning as a noun, adjective, or adverb to determine its part of speech.
- When revising sentences, ensure that participles convey the correct meaning (e.g., revise "mortifying" to "mortified" for accuracy).
- Understanding the role of gerunds and infinitives can enhance sentence clarity and depth.
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Description
This quiz covers the essential concepts of gerunds, participles, and infinitives. Learn how each functions in sentences, including their roles as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs. Test your understanding with examples and explanations.
