Diagramming Verbals

GerundsRunning marathons was his favorite pastime.

was

Runningmarathons

pastime

hisfavorite

Recall that gerunds always function as some kind of noun. This gerund is functioning as a subject.

gerund Object of the gerund

This is slanted over b/c “was” is a linking verb, not

an action verb.

Pastime is a predicate nominative, not a

direct object.

This gerund is the subject

of this sentence.

Hence it goes in the subject

slot

ParticiplesRunning under the bridge, we found shelter.

we found shelterRunning

under

the

bridge

Recall that all

participles function as adjectives.

Infinitives “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

live

Christis

to

for me

die

gainis

to and

Both of these are infinitives.

Both of these are infinitives.

Infinitives For this cause, I sent to know your faith, lest by…

sent

to

know

I

faiththis

for causeyour

This infinitive phrase is adverbial. That is why it is placed under the verb “sent”. It is answering the “why?” question.