Gerund and Invinitive

Introduction

Gerund and Infinitive

1. A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing." The gerund form of the verb "read" is "reading."

Examples:

  • Reading helps you learn English. 
  • Her favorite hobby is reading.
  • I enjoy reading. 
  • Anthony is fishing.
  • I have a boring teacher.

When we use a verb in -ing form more like a noun, it is usually a gerund:

  • Fishing is fun.

Gerunds can be made negative by adding "not."

Examples:

  • He enjoys not working.
  • The best thing for your health is not smoking.
  • I decided not to go to London.
  • He asked me not to be late
  • I'd like you not to sing so loudly.
  • I'd rather not eat meat.
  • I might not come.

2. Infinitives are the "to" form of the verb. The infinitive form of "learn" is "to learn."

Examples:

  • To learn is important.
  • The most important thing is to learn. 
  • He wants to learn. 

Infinitives can be made negative by adding "not."

Examples:

  • I decided not to go.
  • The most important thing is not to give up.

Task

Verbs Followed by Gerunds

* = verb followed by a gerund OR a noun + an infinitive
**= verb followed by a gerund OR an infinitive with a difference in meaning
***= verb followed by a gerund OR an infinitive with little difference in meaning

admit He admitted cheating on the test.
advise [*] The doctor generally advised drinking low-fat milk.
allow [*] Ireland doesn't allow smoking in bars.
anticipate I anticipated arriving late.
appreciate I appreciated her helping me.
avoid He avoided talking to her.
begin [***] I began learning Chinese.
can't bear [***] He can't bear having so much responsibility.
can't help He can't help talking so loudly.
can't see I can't see paying so much money for a car.
can't stand [***] He can't stand her smoking in the office.
cease [***] The government ceased providing free healthcare.
complete He completed renovating the house.
consider She considered moving to New York.
continue [***] He continued talking.
defend The lawyer defended her making such statements.
delay He delayed doing his taxes.
deny He denied committing the crime.
despise She despises waking up early.
discuss We discussed working at the company.
dislike She dislikes working after 5 PM.
don't mind I don't mind helping you.
dread [**] She dreads getting up at 5 AM.
encourage [*] He encourages eating healthy foods.
enjoy We enjoy hiking.
finish [**] He finished doing his homework.
forget [**] I forgot giving you my book.
hate [***] I hate cleaning the bathroom.
imagine He imagines working there one day.
involve The job involves traveling to Japan once a month.
keep She kept interrupting me.
like [***] She likes listening to music.
love [***] I love swimming.
mention He mentioned going to that college.
mind Do you mind waiting here for a few minutes.
miss She misses living near the beach.
need [**] The aquarium needs cleaning.
neglect [***] Sometimes she neglects doing her homework.
permit [*] California does not permit smoking in restaurants.
postpone He postponed returning to Paris.
practice She practiced singing the song.
prefer [***] He prefers sitting at the back of the movie theater.
propose [***] I proposed having lunch at the beach.
quit [**] She quit worrying about the problem.
recall Tom recalled using his credit card at the store.
recollect She recollected living in Kenya.
recommend Tony recommended taking the train.
regret [**] She regretted saying that.
remember [**] I remember telling her the address yesterday.
report He reported her stealing the money.
require [*] The certificate requires completing two courses.
resent Nick resented Debbie's being there.
resist He resisted asking for help.
risk He risked being caught.
start [***] He started studying harder.
stop [**] She stopped working at 5 o'clock.
suggest They suggested staying at the hotel.
tolerate I tolerated her talking.
try [**] Sam tried opening the lock with a paperclip.
understand I understand his quitting.
urge [*] They urge recycling bottles and paper.

Verbs Followed by Infinitives

* = verb followed by an infinitive OR an optional noun + an infinitive
**= verb followed by a gerund OR an infinitive with a difference in meaning
***= verb followed by a gerund OR an infinitive with little difference in meaning

agree Tom agreed to help me.
appear His health appeared to be better.
arrange Naomi arranged to stay with her cousin in Miami.
ask [*] She asked to leave.
begin [**] He began to talk.
can't bear [***] He can't bear to be alone.
can't stand [***] Nancy can't stand to work the late shift.
care He doesn't care to participate in the activity.
cease [***] The government ceased to provide free healthcare.
choose [*] I chose to help.
claim She claimed to be a princess.
continue [***] She continued to talk.
decide We decided to go to Hawaii.
demand He demanded to speak to Mr. Harris.
deserve He deserves to go to jail.
dread [**] I dread to think what might happen.
expect [*] They expect to arrive early.
fail He failed to get enough money to pay for the new project.
forget [**] I forgot to lock the door when I left.
get (be allowed to) Debbie gets to go to the concert next week! Why can't I?
happen She happened to be at the bank when it was robbed.
hate [***] He hates to clean dishes.
hesitate She hesitated to tell me the problem.
hope I hope to begin college this year.
intend We intend to visit you next spring.
learn I learned to speak Japanese when I was a kid.
like [***] Samantha likes to read.
love [***] We love to scuba dive.
manage He managed to open the door without the key.
need [*,**] I need to study.
neglect [***] She neglected to tell me the date of the meeting.
offer Frank offered to drive us to the supermarket.
plan We plan to go to Europe this summer.
prefer [***] He prefers to eat at 7 PM.
prepare [*] They prepared to take the test.
pretend The child pretended to be a monster.
promise [*] She promised to stop smoking.
propose [***] Drew proposed to pay for the trip.
refuse The guard refused to let them enter the building.
regret [**] I regret to inform you that your application was rejected.
remember [**] Did you remember to lock the door when you left?
seem Nancy seemed to be disappointed.
start [**] Marge started to talk really fast.
swear She swore to tell the truth.
tend He tends to be a little shy.
threaten [*] He threatened to leave forever.
try [**] Mary tried to lift the table, but it was too heavy.
vow He vowed to get revenge.
wait She waited to buy a movie ticket.
want [*] I want to study Spanish.
wish [*] I wish to stay.
would like [*]
(meaning "wish" or "want")		 We would like to start now.
yearn Melanie yearns to travel somewhere exotic.

Process

Gerunds

1. Gerund as Subject, Complement or Object

Like nouns, gerunds can be the subject, object or complement of a sentence:

  • Smoking costs a lot of money. subject of sentence
  • I don't like writing. complement of sentence
  • My favourite occupation is reading. object of sentence

But, like verbs, a gerund can also have an object itself. In this case, the whole expression (gerund + object) can be the subject, object or complement of the sentence.

  • Smoking cigarettes costs a lot of money.
  • I don't like writing letters.
  • My favourite occupation is reading detective stories.

Like nouns, we can use gerunds with adjectives (including articles and other determiners):

  • pointless questioning
  • a settling of debts
  • the making of this film
  • his drinking of alcohol

2. Gerund after Preposotion

If we want to use a verb after a preposition, it must be a gerund (which functions as a noun). It is impossible to use an infinitive after a preposition. So, for examples, we say:

  • I will call you after arriving at the office.
    notI will call after to arrive at the office.
  • Please have a drink before leaving.
  • I am looking forward to meeting you.
  • Do you object to working late?
  • Tara always dreams about going on holiday.

Common preposition combinations followed by gerunds : Be excited about , complain about, talk about, think about , worry about, apologize for , blame for, famous for, believe in , interested in , succeed in, take care of , instead of , be accused of, insist on, count on, concentrate on, keep from , prevent from, profit from, in addition to , look forward to , be used to

3. Gerund after Certain Verb

We sometimes use one verb after another verb. Often the second verb is in the to-infinitive form, for example:

  • I wantto eat.

But sometimes the second verb must be in gerund form, for example:

  • I dislikeeating.

4. Gerund in Passive Sense

We often use a gerund after the verbs need, require and want.

In this case, the gerund has a passive sense.

Look at these example sentences. Notice that this construction can be in any tense:

  • I have three shirts that need washing. (need to be washed)
  • I sent it back to the shop because it needed fixing. (needed to be fixed)
  • This letter requires signing. (needs to be signed)
  • The contract will require signing tomorrow. (will need to be signed)
  • The house wants repainting. (needs to be repainted)
  • Your hair's wanted cutting for weeks. (has needed to be cut)

5. By + gerund

Example : You get good grades by studying hard.

6. go + gerund

Recreational activities: camping, dancing, sightseeing, swimming, skiing, fishing, jogging.

Example : I will go fishing with you tomorrow .

7. Some expressions are used with gerunds

Be busy, can’t help, have fun, it’s no use, it’s not worth

Invinitives

1. infinitive as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence.

Examples:

  • To learn is important. subject of sentence
  • The most important thing is to learn. complement of sentence
  • He wants to learn. object of sentence

Infinitives can be made negative by adding "not."

Examples:

  • I decided not to go.
  • The most important thing is not to give up.

2. The to-infinitive to indicate the purpose or intention of an action

In this case to has the same meaning as in order to or so as to.

Examples

  • She came to collect her pay cheque.
  • The three bears went to find firewood.
  • I am calling to ask you about dad.
  • You sister has gone to finish her homework.

3. The to-infinitive as the subject of the sentence

This is a formal usage and is far more common in written English than spoken

Examples

  • To be or not to be, that is the question.
  • To know her is to love her.
  • To visit the Grand Canyon is my life-long dream.
  • To understand statistics, that is our aim.

4. The to-infinitive to indicate what something can or will be used for

In this pattern, the to-infinitive follows a noun or pronoun.

Examples

  • The children need a garden to play in.
  • I would like a sandwich to eat.
  • I don't have anything to wear.
  • Would you like something to drink?

5. The to-infinitive after adjectives

There is a common pattern using the to-infinitive with an adjective. These phrases are formed:
subject + to be + adjective + (for/of someone) + to-infinitive + (rest of sentence)

Subject + to be + adjective (+ for/of someone) + to-infinitive (+ rest of sentence)
It is good   to talk.  
It is good of you to talk to me.
It is important   to be patient.  
It is important for Jake to be patient with his little brother.
I am happy   to be here.
The dog is naughty   to destroy our couch.

6. The to-infinitive to make a comment or judgement

To use the to-infinitive when making a comment or judgement about a noun, the pattern is:
Subject + to be + noun phrase + to-infinitive

Subject + to be + noun phrase + to-infinitive
It was a stupid place to park.
That is a dangerous way to behave.
What you said was a rude thing to say.
This is the right thing to do.
Those were the wrong kind of eggs to buy.
Jim is the best person to hire.

7. The to-infinitive with adverbs

The to-infinitive is used frequently with the adverbs too and enough to express the reasoning behind our satisfaction or insatisfaction. The pattern is that too and enough are placed before or after the adjective, adverb, or noun that they modify in the same way they would be without the to-infinitive. We then follow them by the to-infinitive to explain the reason why the quantity is excessive, sufficient, or insufficient. Normally the to-infinitive and everything that follows can be removed, leaving a sentence that still functions grammatically.

Examples

  • There's too much sugar to put in this bowl.
  • I had too many books to carry.
  • This soup is too hot to eat.
  • She was too tired to work.
  • He arrived too late to see the actors.
  • I've had enough food to eat.
  • She's old enough to make up her own mind.
  • There isn't enough snow to ski on.
  • You're not old enough to have grand-children!

8. The to-infinitive with question words

The verbs ask, decide, explain, forget, know, show, tell, & understand can be followed by a question word such as where, how, what, who, & when + the to-infinitive.

Examples

  • She asked me how to use the washing machine.
  • Do you understand what to do?
  • Tell me when to press the button.
  • I've forgotten where to put this little screw.
  • I'm not sure I know who to call.

9. Functions of the zero infinitive

The zero infinitive after auxiliaries

Examples

  • She can't speak to you.
  • He should give her some money.
  • Shall I talk to him?
  • Would you like a cup of coffee?
  • I might stay another night in the hotel.
  • They must leave before 10.00 a.m.

10. The zero infinitive after verbs of perception

With verbs of perception, the pattern is verb + object + zero infinitive.

Examples

  • He saw her fall from the cliff.
  • We heard them close the door.
  • They saw us walk toward the lake.
  • She felt the spider crawl up her leg.

11. The zero infinitive after the verbs 'make' and 'let'

Examples

  • Her parents let her stay out late.
  • Let's go to the cinema tonight.
  • You made me come with you.
  • Don't make me study that boring grammar book!

12. The zero infinitive after the expression 'had better'

Examples

  • We had better take some warm clothing.
  • She had better ask him not to come.
  • We had better reserve a room in the hotel.
  • You'd better give me your address.
  • They had better work harder on their homework.

13. The zero infinitive with "why"

The question word why is followed by the zero infinitive when making suggestions.

Examples

  • Why wait until tomorrow?
  • Why not ask him now?
  • Why leave before the end of the game?
  • Why walk when we can go in the car?
  • Why not buy a new bed?

Evaluation

Multiple Choice Exercise

1. After his insulting comments, I thought Jack deserved (....) fired. (to be/being)

2. Max avoided (....) his cell phone when other people were in the room. (to use/using)

3. We arranged (....) a taxi pick us up and take us to the airport. (to have/having)

4. I resent (....)  treated like a servant in my own home! (to be/being)

5. Frank completed (....) the new barn last week. Next, he is going to paint it red. (building/to build)

6. Don't worry, I don't mind (....) dinner. I think I'll make fish with steamed vegetables, and a big salad on the side! (to make/making)

7. Crying, the mother looked into the television camera and said, "Society will no longer tolerate (....)." (drinking and driving/to drink and drive)

8. Karen and Neil would like (....) that new dance club downtown. It's supposed to have one of the largest dance floors in the world. (to try/trying)

9. I can't see (....) a car when you don't even have a driver's license. That doesn't make any sense! (to buy/buying)

10. When do you wish (....) , now or later? (to begin/beginning)

Exercise gerunds and infinitives tutorial

http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerunds_infinitives_5.htm

https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-gerunds_quiz.htm

http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerunds_infinitives_8.htm

http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerunds_infinitives_4.htm

http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerunds_infinitives_9.htm

Conclusion

A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing." The gerund form of the verb "read" is "reading." You can use a gerund as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence. Infinitives are the "to" form of the verb. The infinitive form of "learn" is "to learn." You can also use an infinitive as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence. Gerunds often follow verbs that indicate that an action is happening or has happened. The action expressed by the verb comes at the same time or after the action expressed by the gerund. nfinitives often follow verbs that indicate that an action will or could happen. The action expressed by the verb comes before the action expressed by the infinitive.

Both gerunds and infinitives can be used as the subject or the complement of a sentence. However, as subjects or complements, gerunds usually sound more like normal, spoken English, whereas infinitives sound more abstract. In the following sentences, gerunds sound more natural and would be more common in everyday English. Infinitives emphasize the possibility or potential for something and sound more philosophical. If this sounds confusing, just remember that 90% of the time, you will use a gerund as the subject or complement of a sentence.

As the object of a sentence, it is more difficult to choose between a gerund or an infinitive. In such situations, gerunds and infinitives are not normally interchangeable. Usually, the main verb in the sentence determines whether you use a gerund or an infinitive.

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