1. Gerunds:
* Definition: A gerund is a verb form ending in "-ing" that acts as a noun.
* Examples:
* Swimming is my favorite form of exercise. (Subject)
* I enjoy reading novels. (Direct object)
* He is good at painting. (Object of a preposition)
* Traveling to new places is exciting. (Subject)
2. Infinitives:
* Definition: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, often preceded by "to." It can act as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
* Examples:
* To sleep is a necessity. (Subject)
* My goal is to succeed. (Object of a verb)
* It is important to be honest. (Subject complement)
* I am eager to learn. (Adjective modifier)
* She went to the store to buy milk. (Adverb modifier)
3. Participles:
* Definition: A participle is a verb form that acts as an adjective. They come in two types: present participles (ending in "-ing") and past participles (usually ending in "-ed" or "-en").
* Examples:
* The barking dog scared the cat. (Present participle)
* The broken window needed repair. (Past participle)
* Smiling broadly, she greeted her friends. (Present participle as modifier)
* Exhausted from the journey, he fell asleep. (Past participle as modifier)
Let me know if you want more examples or would like a deeper explanation of any specific verbal!