Verbs:
* Action words: They describe actions, occurrences, or states of being.
* Always function as verbs in a sentence: They are the heart of a clause, telling us what the subject is doing or being.
* Examples: run, jump, think, exist, be, seem, feel, have
Verbals:
* Verb forms acting as other parts of speech: While they come from verbs, they don't function as verbs in a sentence.
* Three types:
* Infinitives: "to" + verb (e.g., to run, to eat, to sleep)
* Gerunds: Verb ending in "-ing" used as a noun (e.g., running, eating, sleeping)
* Participles: Verb ending in "-ing" or "-ed" used as an adjective (e.g., running water, broken window)
Key Differences:
* Function: Verbs are the core action words in sentences. Verbals take on other roles (nouns, adjectives, adverbs).
* Tense: Verbs have tense (past, present, future). Verbals generally don't (unless they are participles used within a verb phrase).
* Subject-Verb Agreement: Verbs must agree with their subjects in number. Verbals don't have this requirement.
Examples:
* Verb: The cat sleeps in the sun. (sleeps is the verb)
* Infinitive: I love to eat pizza. (to eat is the infinitive, functioning as the object of the verb "love")
* Gerund: Swimming is my favorite activity. (swimming is the gerund, functioning as the subject of the sentence)
* Participle: The running water was refreshing. (running is the participle, functioning as an adjective describing "water")
In essence, verbals are verb forms with a twist. They retain some of the characteristics of verbs, but they act like other parts of speech.