Here's the breakdown:
* Verb: A word that describes an action or state of being.
* Participle: A verb form that acts like an adjective.
* Verbal Adjective: An informal way of referring to a participle used as an adjective.
Examples:
* "The running water was refreshing." (The participle "running" describes the water, acting like an adjective.)
* "The broken window needed to be repaired." (The participle "broken" describes the window, acting like an adjective.)
Types of Participles:
* Present Participle: Ends in "-ing" (e.g., running, singing, sleeping)
* Past Participle: Often ends in "-ed" or "-en" (e.g., broken, finished, eaten)
Key Points:
* Participles can modify nouns or pronouns.
* They can describe an action or state of being.
* They add more detail and vividness to writing.
It's best to avoid using the term "verbal adjective" and instead use "participle" for accurate language.