The verbals (the Non-finite forms of the verb)

The verb has finite and non-finite forms, the latter being also called the Verbals. The Verbals don't express person, number or mood, that is why they can't be used as the predicate of a sentence.

There are three verbals in English: the Gerund, the Infinitive and the Participle. In Russian we also have three non-finite forms, but they do not fully coincide with those in the English language (причастие, деепричастие).

1. Tне participle

Participle is a non-finite form of a verb which has a verbal and an adjectival or an adverbial character.

1.1 Forms and functions

	Active	Passive
Indefinite Participle (Participle 1)	asking	being asked
Past Participle (Participle II)	-	asked
Perfect Participle	having asked	having been asked

Indefinite Participle (Active and Passive) shows that the action named by the Participle takes place at the same time with that of the finite verb. These forms denote simultaneous action in the present, past or future.

□ Do you see the child waving the flag?

□ I saw two men trying to break into my car..

□ In a few minutes the guests will be arriving wearing smiles and carrying presents.

Past Participle has no tense distinctions; it has only one form which can express both an action simultaneous with and prior to the action expressed by the finite verb. In most cases it denotes priority or refers to no particular time.

□ Prepared by last year’s experience, the coach knows not to expect too much. (The action expressed by knows is in present; prepared expresses a time prior to that time). □ The dog carried by the child gave a sharp yelp.

□ It’s the wreck of a ship sunk during the Second World War.

Perfect Participle (Active and Passive) shows that the action named by the Participle preceded that of the finite verb. Its forms denote priority to a present, past or future action.

□ Having experimented with several game plans, the coaching staff devised a master strategy. (The present perfect participle having experimented indicates a time prior to the past tense verb, devised.)

□ Having parked the car on the side of the road, he went to sleep for an hour. □ Having settled the problem, you will find something new to worry about.

►NB! A prior action is not always expressed by the Perfect Participle with some verbs of sense perception and motion: to see, to hear, to come, to arrive, to seize, to look, to turn, etc. The Indefinite Participle is used even if priority is meant.

□ Hearing footsteps he rose and went to open the door.Услышав шаги внизу, он встал и пошел открывать дверь.

The Participle has special forms to denote the Active and Passive Voice.

□ When writing letters, he doesn't like to be disturbed.

□ Being written in pencil, the letter was difficult to read.

□ Having written the letter, he went to the post-office.

□ Having been written long ago, the manuscript was impossible to read.