[color=red]Identify the verbals (Participles, Gerunds or Infinitives) and their functions in the sentences below:-
1- Sarah and John were caught passing notes in class.
2- The horse galloped through the mountains moving with great speed.
3- By developing new products, the firm sold more and made more money.
Any help please?
Thanks very much!
In my opinion:
(1) What were Sarah and John caught doing? Passing notes in class. (“passing” = a gerund.)
(2) What was moving with great speed? The horse. ("moving = participle, which refers to the horse.)
(3) How did the firm sell more and make more money? By developing new products. (“developing” is a gerund because it is following a preposition.)
Dear James, I wonder whether you have made a mistake about “passing” in the first sentence. Isn’t it an indefinite participle?
Thanks
The teacher caught them passing notes. “Passing notes” is a participial phrase modifying “them.” Passive: They were caught passing notes
(by the teacher). “Passing notes” is now a participial phrase being used as a subjective complement. You are 100% correct.