Verbal nouns are nouns that are derived from verbs and retain some characteristics of the verb. They often express actions or states and can function as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence. For example, in the phrase "the running of the race," the word "running" acts as a noun while originating from the verb run. These nouns can be formed in various ways, such as by adding suffixes like -ing or -tion. In English, common examples include swimming, reading, and celebration. Verbal nouns help convey actions in a more abstract way, allowing for greater flexibility in sentence structure.