Verb forms that work as nouns, adjectives and adverbs. · about 15 minutes
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What is it? Some verb forms don't act as the main verb of a sentence. A gerund (verb + -ing) works as a noun: Swimming is fun. An infinitive (to + verb) names an action: I want to swim. A participle (-ing or -ed/-en) works as an adjective: a running tap, a broken glass. These are called non-finite forms.
Why does it matter? They let you pack more meaning into a sentence and avoid repeating subjects: "Wanting to win, she practised every day."
Where do we use it? "Reading improves vocabulary." "She decided to apply." "The exhausted runner collapsed."
In this lesson you will: