Identify if the underlined word is a verb in a verb phrase, participle used as an adjective or a gerund.
Bringing customs and traditions from their homelands, immigrants add to the rich holiday mix in the United States.
the underlined word is bringing
It’s modifying “immigrants.” What kind of word modifies nouns?
To identify if the underlined word is a verb in a verb phrase, participle used as an adjective, or a gerund, we need to understand the function of each of these.
1. Verb phrase: A verb phrase consists of a main verb and any auxiliary verbs (also known as helping verbs) that accompany it. It typically shows an action or state of being.
2. Participle used as an adjective: A participle is a verb form that functions as an adjective. It describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. Participles usually end in -ing, -ed, -en, or -t.
3. Gerund: A gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing and functions as a noun. It can be the subject or object of a sentence or act as a complement.
Now let's analyze the underlined word: "Bringing"
Is "bringing" a verb in a verb phrase? Yes, it is. The verb phrase is "Bringing customs." The main verb is "bringing," which shows the action of bringing customs and traditions.
Is "bringing" a participle used as an adjective? No, it is not. Participles used as adjectives would typically modify a noun, but in this sentence, "bringing" is not modifying any noun.
Is "bringing" a gerund? No, it is not. A gerund functions as a noun, and in this sentence, "bringing" does not act as a noun.
Therefore, in the given sentence, the underlined word "bringing" is a verb in a verb phrase.