| verbals |
| Definition: Words that are created from verbs but which don't function as verbs in a sentence. |
| Example:
Some types of verbals are: (1) gerunds — The ing form of a verb that is used as a noun (e.g., Living well is the best revenge) (2) infinitives — The non-finite uninflected form of a verb (e.g., To be or not to be) (3) participles — Verbs that are used as modifiers (e.g., He was a dancing fool) |
| Oxford English Dictionary: The term's first citation is from 1530: "Broderésse, a woman brodurar, … tenceresse, a woman chyder; and so of all other verballes." (Palsgr. 154) |