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Gerunds and Infinitives

The document explains the differences between gerunds and infinitives, highlighting their functions as nouns in sentences. It provides examples of common verbs that are followed by either gerunds or infinitives, as well as instances where the meaning changes depending on which form is used. Additionally, it outlines rules for when to use gerunds or infinitives based on verb preferences and sentence structure.

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16 views4 pages

Gerunds and Infinitives

The document explains the differences between gerunds and infinitives, highlighting their functions as nouns in sentences. It provides examples of common verbs that are followed by either gerunds or infinitives, as well as instances where the meaning changes depending on which form is used. Additionally, it outlines rules for when to use gerunds or infinitives based on verb preferences and sentence structure.

Uploaded by

Agumon Gabumon
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Gerunds and Infinitives

 Gerunds and Infinitives are two forms of verbs that can function as nouns in
sentences, but they are used differently.

1. GERUNDS:
A gerund is the "-ing" form of a verb that functions as a noun.
Examples:
 Swimming is my favorite activity. (Swimming is the subject of the sentence.)
 He enjoys reading. (Reading is the object of the verb "enjoys".)
How Gerunds Are Used:
 As the subject of a sentence:
Example: Running is good for health.
 As the object of a verb:
Example: She loves dancing.
 As the object of a preposition:
Example: He’s interested in learning new languages.

2. INFINITIVES:
An infinitive is the base form of a verb, often preceded by "to" (to + verb).
Examples:
 I want to learn Spanish. (to learn is the object of the verb "want.")
 To travel the world is my dream. (To travel is the subject of the sentence.)
How Infinitives Are Used:
 As the subject of a sentence:
Example: To read is important.
 As the object of a verb:
Example: He decided to leave.
 To express purpose:
Example: She studies hard to pass the exam.
Common Verbs Followed by Gerunds:
Admit Enjoy Recommend
Anticipate Feel like Resume
Avoid Involve Risk
Can’t help Mention Suggest
Consider Practice Understand
Deny Finish

Example: I avoid sitting in the sun.


Verbs: avoid
Gerund: sitting

Common Verbs Followed by Infinitives:


Ask Hope Wait Promise
Agree Learn Want Refuse
Decide Manage Volunteer Seem
Deserve Need Offer Struggle
Expect Threaten Plan Want

Example: I finally managed to find a book that I like.


Verbs: manage
Infinitive: to find

Common Verbs + Objects + Infinitive:


Ask Invite Require Urge
Expect Order Teach Warn
Hire Remind Tell

Example: I asked my friend to help me.


Verbs: ask
Object: my friend
Infinitive: to help

Common Verbs Followed by BOTH Gerunds & Infinitives:


Like Prefer Can’t stand Start
Love Begin Continue
Hate Can’t bear Propose

Example: I can’t stand seeing you sad. I can't stand to see you sad.
Verbs: Can’t stand
Gerund: seeing
Infinitive: to see
WHEN TO USE GERUNDS OR INFINITIVES

1. After Certain Verbs


- Some verbs are followed by gerunds:
Examples: enjoy, avoid, suggest, consider, finish.
- Sentence: He enjoys reading novels.

- Some verbs are followed by infinitives:


Examples: want, decide, need, hope, promise.
- Sentence: She wants to travel abroad.

2. After Prepositions
- Always use a gerund after a preposition.
- Sentence: They are good at dancing.

3. As the Subject or Object of a Sentence


- Both gerunds and infinitives can act as subjects or objects, but gerunds are more
common as subjects.
- Gerund: Swimming is fun.
- Infinitive: To swim is fun. (Less common)

COMMON VERBS AND THEIR PREFERENCES


Verbs Followed by Gerunds:
- enjoy, avoid, admit, suggest, deny, finish, mind, consider, miss.

Verbs Followed by Infinitives:


- want, decide, plan, hope, learn, agree, promise, afford, manage.

Verbs Followed by Either (With Meaning Change):


- stop, try, remember, forget, regret, mean.

1. I enjoy reading novels in my free time.


o Explanation: The verb "enjoy" is always followed by a gerund.
2. They promised to help us with the project.
o Explanation: The verb "promise" is always followed by an infinitive.
3. She avoids talking about her past.
o Explanation: The verb "avoid" is always followed by a gerund.
4. He tried to fix the car, but it didn’t work.
o Explanation: "Tried to fix" means he made an effort, which requires the
infinitive.
5. I hope to visit Europe next year.
o Explanation: The verb "hope" is always followed by an infinitive.

4. Change in Meaning
- Some verbs can take both gerunds and infinitives, but their meanings change:

1. Stop
 Stop + Gerund means to quit doing something (action already in progress).
o Eg: He stopped smoking last year. (He quit the habit).
 Stop + Infinitive means to pause to do something (action to be done after the
pause).
o Eg: He stopped to smoke. (He paused what he was doing to have a
cigarette).

2. Remember
 Remember + Gerund refers to recalling a past event.
o Eg: I remember meeting her. (I recall the event of meeting her).
 Remember + Infinitive means to not forget to do something in the future.
o Eg: I remembered to meet her. (I didn’t forget to meet her).

3. Try
 Try + Gerund means to experiment or test something.
o Eg: She tried baking a cake for the first time. (She experimented with
baking).
 Try + Infinitive means to make an effort to do something.
o Eg: She tried to bake the cake, but it didn’t turn out well. (She made an
effort to bake).

4. Regret
 Regret + Gerund means to feel sorry about something you did in the past.
o Eg: I regret telling her the news. (I feel sorry about something I did in the
past).
 Regret + Infinitive means to feel sorry about something you are about to do
or will do.
o Eg: I regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful. (I feel
sorry to tell you this now).
Exercise
1) I stopped smoking last year.
 "Stop smoking" means you quit the habit, which requires the gerund.

2) I will never forget meeting him for the first time.


 "Forget meeting" refers to recalling the event in the past.

3) She stopped to buy groceries when she saw the sale.


 "Stopped to buy" means she paused what she was doing in order to buy groceries.

4) I remember going to that park as a child.


 "Remember going" means recalling the past event of visiting the park.

5) He tried to run faster, but he was too tired.


 "Tried to run" means he made an effort to run faster.

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