Verbal Noun

Understanding Verbal Nouns

A verbal noun is a word that is formed from a verb but functions as a noun in a sentence. It often ends in ‘-ing’ or ‘-tion’, but not always. While it acts as a noun, it can retain certain verbal characteristics, such as taking an object or being modified by an adverb.

Key Concepts

• Formation: Derived from verbs (e.g., ‘read’ → ‘reading’, ‘decide’ → ‘decision’).
• Function: Primarily acts as a noun (subject, object, complement).
• Verbal Qualities: Can sometimes take direct objects or be modified by adverbs.

Deep Dive: Verbal Nouns vs. Gerunds

The term ‘verbal noun’ is sometimes used interchangeably with ‘gerund’. However, a distinction can be made. A gerund (typically ending in -ing) always functions as a noun. A verbal noun, in a stricter sense, might retain more verbal force, allowing it to take objects or adverbs more readily. For example, in ‘He enjoys reading books’, ‘reading’ is a gerund. In ‘The writing of the letter was difficult’, ‘writing’ is a more clear-cut verbal noun. Some grammarians consider gerunds a type of verbal noun.

Applications and Examples

Verbal nouns are common in everyday language and academic writing. They provide a concise way to express actions or states as concepts.

• Subject: Swimming is good exercise.
• Object: She loves dancing.
• Object of a preposition: We talked about the election.
• Modified by adverb: His quick thinking saved them.

Challenges and Misconceptions

A common confusion arises between verbal nouns and participles. Participles function as adjectives or verbs. Distinguishing them requires analyzing their role in the sentence. Another misconception is that all ‘-ing’ words functioning as nouns are gerunds; some might be considered verbal nouns with stronger verbal ties.

FAQs

Q: How do I identify a verbal noun?
A: Look for a noun derived from a verb. Check if it can take an object or be modified by an adverb, suggesting retained verbal force.

Q: Are all ‘-ing’ words verbal nouns?
A: No. ‘-ing’ words can be gerunds (nouns), present participles (adjectives/verbs), or even part of a continuous verb tense.