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aCTIVITy 4.2
continued
As you know, verbs may be used simply to show action in sentences. John smirked at the joke; Doris was giggling.
Verb forms may also be used as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs. When used this way, they are called verbals because they look like verbs but are used as other parts of speech. Look at the examples below. Is each of the boldfaced verbals used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb?
Example: Smirking, John handed the wrapped gift to Ted, who wanted to open it right away.
Smirking is an adjective describing John, wrapped is an adjective describing the gift, and to open is a noun used as the object of the verb “wanted.”
Identify the verbals in the following sentences and tell whether they are used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
• Giggling and snorting, the crowd of students watched the comic video.
• To laugh is my greatest pleasure.
• Hiding his snickering behind a raised hand, Henry bent forward with a side-splitting outburst of laughter.
• Scoffing at the attempted joke, Mark refused to look at the giggling child.
Expository Writing Prompt: Create a detailed paragraph that uses precise diction to explain your sense of humor. Use at least two words from each chart to explain what does and does not make you laugh and how you typically respond to humorous texts. Be sure to:
• Use precise diction to describe humor.
• Begin with a clear thesis statement.
• Include details and examples.
• Include at least three verbals.
my Notes
Unit 4 • The Challenge of Comedy 259
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