A verbal is a word that looks like a verb in that it implies some kind of action, but it is not functioning as a finite verb.
| Verbs: | Verbals: |
| Always have a subject. | Never have a subject. |
| Can take an object. | Can take an object. |
| Called finite verbs because they are limited by a subject | Are not limited by a subject. |
| Every clause must have a verb. | Can never be the main verb of a clause (after all, they aren’t verbs). |
In English, there are three kinds of verbals:
- ;
- ;
- .
They function as follows:
- Gerunds always function as nouns.
- Participles always function as adjectives.
- Infinitives can function as an adjectives, adverbs, or a noun.
Learn how to diagram verbals here.
Greek and Hebrew only have two verbals, infinitives (Greek | Hebrew) and participles (Greek | Hebrew).
