1. what part of speech is the word in italics? shelly's beautiful dance thoroughly captivated the audience. (audience is in italics) noun verb adverb adjective 2. what part of speech is the word in italics? shelly (shelly is in italics) and her beautiful dance thoroughly captivated the audience. noun verb adverb adjective 3. identify the verbal and its function in the sentence: i would rather be sleeping! (sleeping is in italics) it is a gerund functioning as a noun. it is an infinitive functioning as a noun. 4.identify the verbal and its function in the sentence: we were hoping to begin (begin is in italics) a game of chess. it is a participle functioning as an adverb. it is a participle functioning as an adjective. it is an infinitive functioning as an adverb. it is an infinitive functioning as an adjective.