INFINITIVES AND GERUNDS Miguel M. Llop Díaz-Cano Pale 6 January- April 2011

INFINITIVES AND GERUNDS In English, Some verbs can be followed by infinitives or gerunds depending of the verb. Examples: I want to sing She loves playing football Some verbs can be followed by infinitives with TO or without TO (bare infinitives). Examples: She decided to visit her aunt. She wants to inherit a lot of money. I saw him laugh You make me dance She can't open the door She must do her homework. You ought to be silent in class. Some of the verbs that are followed by an infinitive are: can't afford, agree, decide, expect, forget, help, hope, learn, need, offer, plan, pretend, promise, refuse, remember, seem, try, want, would like.

INFINITIVES AND GERUNDS The infinitive is also used: After the adjective. Example: Mary is easy to convince Spain is wonderful to visit. English is interesting to learn. To express purpose. Example: I came here to do the exam. He went to the shops to buy a car. The idea of purpose can also be expressed by means of in order to, so as to or so that. SO THAT must be followed by a subordinate clause, not an infinitive. Example: He woke up early so that he could get an early train to work. You must learn a lot of English so that you can pass Pale 6.

INFINITIVES AND GERUNDS Some other verbs are followed by gerunds. Examples: I love riding my motorbike. She stopped smoking two years ago. I don't mind going to bed late. Some of the verbs that are followed by the gerund are: enjoy, hate, finish, like, love, Mind, practise, spend, stop, suggest, and phrasal verbs like give up, go on, look forward to. Be careful because there are verbs that can be followed by the infinitive and the gerund and each category has a different meaning. For example: I stopped smoking. I stopped to smoke. I remember playing with my brothers. Please, remember to phone Mary. In the second case, the infinitive has a future meaning whereas the gerund has a past meaning

INFINITIVES AND GERUNDS Finally, remember that some verbs can take either infinitive or gerund without a difference in meaning. Some of these verbs are: begin, continue, prefer and start. Examples: I prefer walking. I prefer to walk. She started reading. She started to read.

INFINITIVES AND GERUNDS The gerund is also used: 1. As the subject of a sentence. Example: Smoking is forbidden here. Reading is good for your brain. 2. After prepositions. Examples: I want to play football after eating. Before going out, make sure you switch the lights off