have certain forms that are really nouns, and other forms that are really adjectives. You have been using both forms ever since you began to speak English. We call them infinitives and participles.

The Infinitive.

Compare the italicized phrases in these sentences:

1. To walk is good exercise.

2. I prefer to ride.

In the first sentence, the italicized phrase is the subject of the verb is; in the second sentence, the italicized phrase is the direct object of the verb prefer. These phrases must, therefore, be nouns; but they are also verbs, though they do not assert. We call them verbal nouns, or infinitives. Notice that they begin with the preposition to.

The infinitive is a verbal noun which names action, being, or state of being, but does not assert it.

The Infinitive in "ing."

Instead of to with the infinitive we may often substitute a form ending in ing. This is called the infinitive in ing:

Forms of the Infinitive.

When a verb is transitive, it has an active infinitive and

Compare the italicized words in these sentences:

1. He is a charming talker.

2. She is a disappointed woman.

3. He, seeing the danger, gave the alarm.

4. His fame, celebrated by every generation, will grow brighter with the years.

In the first sentence, charming is the present participle of the verb to charm and modifies talker; in the second sentence, disappointed is the past participle of the verb to disappoint and modifies woman; in the third sentence, seeing is the present participle of the verb to see and modifies He; in the fourth sentence, celebrated is the past participle of the verb to celebrate and modifies fame.

The participle is a verbal adjective which does not assert action, being, or state of being, but expresses it in such a way as to modify a noun or pronoun.

Forms of the Participle.

The present participle of every verb ends in ing. Remember (1) that if the verb ends in silent e, the e must be dropped before ing is added; and (2) that if the verb has only one syllable and ends in a single consonant preceded by a single short vowel, the single consonant must be doubled before ing is added.

The past participle is one of the three principal parts of all verbs, weak or strong (see Chapter LXXII).

How the Participle May Help You in Writing and Speaking.

The participle is used more frequently in English than in any other language. Its pictorial power in description and its ease and swiftness in narration have made it an indispensable element in the style of every modern English writer.

What is the defect in each of the following sentences?

1. I met my friend on the street and I knew that he, too, was very fond of fishing and I asked him to go with me to the creek. 2. The hunter cocked his gun and crouched low in the grass and waited for the lion to approach nearer.

3. I made my purchases and bought my ticket and boarded the first train that passed.

Compare with these sentences:

4. Meeting my friend on the street and knowing that he, too, was very fond of fishing, I asked him to go with me to the creek.

5. Cocking his gun and crouching low in the grass, the hunter waited for the lion to approach nearer.

6. Having made my purchases and bought my ticket, I boarded the first train that passed.

Every reader must feel that the last three sentences are superior to the first three; they are superior chiefly because the emphasis is better distributed. In 1, 2, and 3 each fact is stated in the same way and with the same emphasis; but in 4, 5, and 6 the participle gathers up what is merely preliminary and thus permits the emphasis to fall on the predicates asked,” “waited," and "boarded." Each sentence

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is like a three-syllabled word, the accent of which ought to be placed on the last syllable; the participle lets us place it there.

Cautions. (a) Do not confound the present participle with the infinitive in -ing. The one is a verbal adjective, the other a verbal noun. Instead of What's wrong in me going?" "I don't like him coming so often," "He spoke of us being there," say:

1. What's wrong in my going?

2. I don't like his coming so often.

3. He spoke of our being there.

(b) Do not leave a present participle suspended in mid-air. It must have a noun or pronoun to modify. Instead of “ Not liking the looks of the place, it was decided to go on,' ""Being very tired, the game was stopped," "Leaving home at 6 A.M., the journey was finished before sunset,” say:

1. Not liking the looks of the place, we decided to go on.

2. Being very tired, the boys stopped the game.

3. Leaving home at 6 A.M., they finished the journey before

sunset.

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But "considering," " judging,' owing," and "speaking are used without having a noun or pronoun to modify. In the following sentences, these words, though participles in form, are prepositions in use:

4. Considering all the circumstances, it is best to stay where

we are.

5. Judging by his looks, this fellow is an escaped convict.