Unit 5 Infinitives and Gerunds
There are two types of infinitives full: to + verb bare: verb
Full infinitives: to express purpose: I want to be a great teacher. I bought the bike to do exercise. I want to go to Paris to see the Eiffel Towel After verbs like: hope, decide, promise, offer, forget. I hope to receive a lot of money. I promise to love you forever. After question words: Who, what, where. I don’t know where to go. He is an expert on who to go for a good haircut.
Bare infinitives After modal verbs: can, could, must, may, etc. I can play the piano I couldn’t swim very well when I was a child. After the verbs: Make and let Don’t make me hate you. Let me be your friend.
Gerunds After verbs like: Enjoy, dislike, don’t mind, avoid, finish, give up, can’t help, imagine, keep, miss and suggest. I enjoy swimming in the ocean. I like reading novels. After prepositions: interested in, look forward to, be used to, be accustomed to, keep on, be afraid of, be sorry about and feel sure of. I am interested in learning how to play the guitar. I am looking forward to seeing the show. He keeps on trying to enter Medicine School.
Either a gerund or a full infinitive After verbs: Like, love, hate, can’t stand, start and try. I like to read novels. I like reading novels. I tried to help him. I tried helping him.
The End