How to parse. ...

42

VERBAL NOUNS.

[Par. 54.

The other Conjunctions in this, and in other
Exercises may be similarly parsed.
54 How to Parse a Verbal Noun.
A Verbal Noun is a Noun formed from a Verb
by adding -ing to it, e.g. " I like walk-ing." 1
A Verbal Noun resembles other Nouns in being
the Subject of some Verb, or Object of some Verb
or Preposition; but it differs from other Nouns in
often taking an Object of its own, e.g."I like eating beef."
Here "eating" is the Object of "I like," but
also has for its object "beef."
Hence in a Verbal Noun you may state1. Whether it is used as Subject or Object.2
2. (a) Of what Verb it is Subject, or (b) of what
Verb or Preposition it is Object.
3. What is its Object, if it has one.
EXERCISE XIII. (SPECIMEN).
Parse the Verbal Nouns in the following Exercise: -
On reaching the shore, Mr. Barlow pointed to a speck far off
on the horizon, and asked Tommy what it was. After
observing it attentively, Tommy replied that it must * be
a very small boat. "What can the boatmen be doing so
far out at sea " asked Mr. Barlow. " They must be
1 Verbal Noun Phrases may also be formed, such as, "I do not
like being deceived," " He does not like having been deceived," &c.
As to spelling, see Par. 267-73.
2 Verbal Nouns are generally in the Singular, so that the Number
need not be stated.