Distinguishing Finite Verbs from
Verbals
Remember that the objective
of this level is not to have the students learn the various verbals. It
is to teach them how to know when these verbs should not be underlined
twice.
"They sweeping and flapping" fails the sentence test. ["Sweeping" and "flapping" are verbals -- gerundives that modify "they."]2. The rulers {of Olympus} have sent me (DO) {to you} to ask the way {to the Gorgon}. | "To ask" fails both the "to" test and the sentence test -- "Me to ask the way" is not a sentence. [There are two valid explanations here. "Me" can be considered the direct object. That makes "to ask" a verbal (infinitive) that functions as an adverb answering the question "Why?" Or "me" can be consider the subject of the infinitive "to ask." This view makes the infinitive phrase the direct object of "have sent." In either case, "way" is the direct object of "to ask."]3. He left this girl to die, | and dead (PA) she is {to him}. | "This girl to die" fails both the "to" and the sentence test. [Here again there are two possible explanations of the verbal. "Girl" can be seen as the direct object of "left" and the infinitive "to die" can be considered an adverb (How?) to "left." Or "girl can be seen as the subject of "to die" and the infinitive phrase then becomes the direct object of "left."]4. Grinding his teeth {with rage}, he went out, and away {to the king's palace}, and {through the men's rooms, and the women's rooms}, and so {through all the house}. | "He grinding his teeth" fails the sentence test. ["Grinding" is a gerundive that modifies "he." "Teeth" is the direct object of "grinding."]5. He saw them come howling {on his track}. | "Them come howling" fails the sentence test. ["Them" is the subject of the infinitive "come." The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of "saw."]6. *You* Let the people build altars {to Father Zeus), and {to me}, and worship the Immortals. | Although "the people build alters to Father Zeus" passes the sentence test, it won't if we substitute a pronoun -- "(Let) them build altars." ["People is the subject of the infinitive "build," and "altars" is its direct object. The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of "Let." The same holds for "worship" -- the "and" joins the two infinitives. "Immortals" is the direct object of "worship."]7. The water gurgled in and out {of his wide jaws}, [Adv. (time) to "gurgled" as he rolled along, dripping and glistening {in the beams} {of the morning sun}]. | "He dripping and glistening" fails the sentence test. ["Dripping" and "glistening" are gerundives that modify "He," or, as above, gerunds that function as Nouns Used as Adverbs.]8. Watching the rich men go in saddened him (DO). | "He watching the rich men" fails the sentence test. (It also violates the meaning--if we ask what saddened him, the answer is "Watching." Thus "Watching" also fails the noun test.) ["Watching" is a verbal, a gerund that functions as the subject of "saddened."9. Polydectes, not being able to get [DO of "to get" what he wanted {by force}], cast about {in his wicked heart} {*for* [OP how he might get it (DO) {by cunning} ] } . | "Polydectes" not being able" fails the sentence test. ["Being" is a gerundive that modifies "Polydectes."]10. Perseus laughed, and went his way [NuA] {to the north-east}, hoping all day [NuA] long to see the blue Mediterranean sparkling, [Adv. (purpose) to "hoping" that he might fly {across it} {to his home}]. | "Perseus hoping" fails the sentence test. ["Hoping" is a gerundive that modifies "Perseus."] |