What is a Verbal Noun?
Definition, Gerunds vs. Verbal Nouns, Rules & Word Lists
• Table of Contents
• Understanding Verbal Nouns
To understand a verbal noun, you have to look at its history. These words begin their lives as verbs action words but through suffixes or grammatical shifts, they are reborn as nouns. They allow us to talk about actions not as things currently happening, but as concepts, events, or tangible objects.
Here are three primary ways verbs transform into nouns in the English language:
The "-ing" Transformation
By adding "-ing", a verb becomes a noun representing the action itself. Note: When acting purely as a noun, it takes determiners (the, a).
Derived Suffixes
Verbs often take suffixes like -tion, -al, or -ment (e.g., decide → decision, arrive → arrival).
Zero-Derivation
Sometimes a verb requires no spelling changes at all to become a noun. Context dictates its role. (e.g., "to run" vs "a run").
• See it in Context
Verbal nouns hold immense narrative weight because they pack an entire action into a single, digestible concept. Notice how changing the verbal noun alters the atmosphere and implied action of the sentence. Play around with the interactive sentence below to see this in action.
• Types of Verbal Nouns
Verbal nouns come in several distinct structural flavors. Depending on how the original verb was modified, the resulting noun can look vastly different. Let's explore the different members of the verbal noun family.
Gerundial Verbal Nouns (-ing)
Nouns ending in -ing that refer to an action but behave entirely like nouns.
- The building of the bridge took years.
- Her sudden screaming shocked us.
Suffix-Derived Verbal Nouns
Verbs modified with endings like -tion, -ment, -al, -ance to become nouns.
- The company made a final decision .
- We awaited the train's arrival .
Zero-Derivation Nouns
Words that are identical in spelling to their verb form, but act entirely as nouns.
- I need to go for a run .
- Let's take a walk .
Infinitives as Nouns
The base form of a verb preceded by "to", functioning as a subject or object concept.
- To forgive is divine.
- She loves to read .
• Noun Roles in a Sentence
Because verbal nouns have officially crossed over into the "noun" category, they can perform all the traditional jobs of a noun. They act as subjects, direct objects, and objects of a preposition.
Subject
The main focus of the sentence. The verbal noun is what the sentence is about.
Direct Object
The receiver of the action. This answers "what" the subject is acting upon.
Object of a Preposition
Completes a prepositional phrase, linking it to the rest of the sentence.
• The Great Debate: Gerund vs. Verbal Noun
Many people confuse gerunds and verbal nouns because both often end in -ing. While both are formed from verbs, a gerund retains its "verb-like" superpowers (it can take an object), whereas a verbal noun has fully committed to being a noun. Here is how you tell them apart:
Takes Determiners & Plurals
Because verbal nouns act entirely like nouns, they can take determiners ("the", "a") and be pluralized.
Modified by Adjectives
Verbal nouns are described by adjectives, not adverbs. (e.g., "His quick reading", NOT "His quickly reading").
Requires Prepositions
Unlike a gerund, a verbal noun cannot directly take an object. It must use a preposition like "of".
• Top 50 Most Common Verbal Nouns
You now have the theory down. Let's look at the data. These top 50 verbal nouns represent core human actions transitioned into tangible concepts. Master identifying these, and you'll drastically improve your structural comprehension.
• Browse Verbal Nouns by Letter
Ready to expand beyond the basics? Sometimes you need that one perfect, highly specific naming word to make a sentence pop. Dive into our comprehensive directory of over 50,000 nouns, neatly organized from A to Z. Whether you're writing a novel, building a game, or just curious, simply click a letter to find exactly what you're looking for.
• Search Verbal Nouns
If browsing isn't fast enough, we've got you covered. Use our advanced noun finder tool to hunt down nouns by category, starting or ending letters, and specific word lengths. It's the ultimate tool for writers and word-game enthusiasts alike.
• Test Yourself: Find the Verbal Nouns
You've read the guide, and you've seen the examples. Now, it's time to put your newfound knowledge to the test! Tap or click the verbal noun in each sentence below to see how sharp your grammar skills have become.