Gerunds and Infinitives

Gerunds and infinitives can function as: NOUNS (subjects, objects, subject complements) As subjects, they take a singular verb. Only Gerunds can be object of the preposition.

To form gerunds, use the base form + ing (don’t’ forget the rules for spelling of ing form of verbs) I enjoy learning English To form negative gerunds, use not + gerund Not speaking English well is my biggest problem in this country.

Gerunds used as subject of the sentence. Dancing is fun.

Gerunds used as objects He enjoys working with children.

Verbs that take only Gerunds Appreciate Avoid Delay Deny Discuss Dislike Enjoy Excuse Finish understand Keep Mention Mind Miss Postpone Quit Recall Recommend Resent suggest

Gerunds used as object of the preposition I am thinking about taking the children to Mexico.

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

By + gerund You get good grades by studying hard By + gerund You get good grades by studying hard. go + gerund Recreational activities: camping, dancing, sightseeing, swimming, skiing, fishing, jogging, I will go fishing with you tomorrow.

Some expressions are used with gerunds Be busy, can’t help, have fun, it’s no use, it’s not worth

To form infinitives use to + base form of the verb I want to dance To form negative infinitives use Not + infinitive He decided not to go to the party.

Infinitives in the subject position To live in the United States is my dream It is my dream to live in the United States.

Verbs that take infinitives Verb + infinitives – agree, appear, decide hope, intend, learn, offer, plan, seem, tend, wait, can afford Verb + Noun phrase + infinitive – cause, convince, force, invite, order, persuade, remind, tell, trust, warn, advise, encourage, ask, beg, choose, expect, need, want, would like, promise

Adjectives followed by infinitives Afraid, amazed, anxious, ashamed, careful, delighted, eager, fortunate, glad, happy, lucky, pleased, ready, sad, sorry,

In order to I came here in order to learn. Infinitive of purpose In order to I came here in order to learn.

Infinitive with too and enough too + adjective or adverb + infinitive She is too young to vote. Adjective or adverb + enough + infinitive They are old enough to vote.

Verbs that are followed by a noun phrase + infinitive can also be followed by a gerund. The gerund makes it general and the infinitive make specific the person indicated. They allow smoking in this building. They allowed me to smoke in the house.

These verbs are: advise allow encourage permit require urge

Some verbs can be followed by both gerund or infinitive with no change in meaning. Begin, hate, like, start, love, prefer, continue

I like cooking. I like to cook I like cooking. I like to cook. She started losing weight She started to lose weight.

Some verbs although they can be used after both gerunds and infinitives have a difference in meaning. remember forget regret stop try get

She stopped smoking. She stopped to smoke. They forgot buying bread She stopped smoking. She stopped to smoke. They forgot buying bread. They forgot to buy bread.

Used to Be used to Get used to Used to + base form Be used to + gerund Get used to + gerund

Both gerunds and infinitives can occur in the perfect form having done to have done It is used to indicate that the activity is in the past We appreciate having heard her sing. We’re fortunate to have heard her sing

A gerund can be used in the passive form I dislike being told a lie.

Have make let are causative verbs. They cause someone to do something Have make let are causative verbs. They cause someone to do something. They are always followed by a noun phrase + base form of verb. Do not use an infinitive after these verbs. She made me fall.

She made her daughter go to the party. She let him take the camera She made her daughter go to the party. She let him take the camera. She had me prepare breakfast yesterday.

Sense-perception verbs: hear, listen to feel, smell, see watch, observe, notice are followed by either a noun phrase + base or –ing form with only a slight difference in meaning.

We saw people living in poverty. We saw them perform

Help can take an infinitive or base form Help can take an infinitive or base form. It can occur with or without a noun phrase. I helped them carry the boxes. I helped them to clean up after the party.

perfect infinitive: to have moved progressive infinitive: to be working perfect progressive infinitive: to have been playing passive: to be seen perfect passive: to have been chosen

Perfect gerund: having moved passive gerund: being done perfect passive gerund: having been selected

The End!