1. Grammar Gerunds & Infinitive
Prepared by: Ms. Persis
13th January 2011 1

2. Verb + Gerund 1 Subject Verb Gerund Object I enjoy working
in my garden.
Ann
finished
studying
at midnight. It
stopped
raining
a few minutes ago.
David
quit
smoking.
postponed
doing
my homework.
am considering
going
to Hawaii.
They
discussed
getting
a new car.
talked
(about) getting 2

3. Verb + Gerund 2 Verb Gerund Keep (on) working. (on) singing.
(on) moving.
Would you mind opening the window?
Could you please keep on walking? 3

4. Verb + Gerund 3 Incorrect
The verbs in the list are NOT followed by to + simple form of a verb (an infinitive).
E.g. a. I enjoy to walk in the park.
b. Bob finished to study.
c. I’m thinking to go to Hawaii.
Incorrect 4

5. Verb + Gerund 4 Negative forms of gerunds Subject Verb Gerund Object I
do not enjoy
working
in my garden.
Ann
did not finish
studying
at midnight. It
did not stop
raining.
David
did not quit
smoking.
did not postpone
doing
my homework.
considered
not going
to Hawaii.
They
did not discuss
getting
a new car.
did not talk
(about) getting 5

6. Verb + Infinitive Verb + Infinitive Tom offered to lend me some money.
I’ve decided to buy a new car.
Some verbs are followed by an infinitive:
AN INFINITIVE = to + the simple form of a verb
c) I’ve decided not to keep my old car.
Negative form: not + infinitive
Common verbs followed by infinitives
want hope decide seem learn (how) need expect promise appear
would like plan offer pretend would love intend agree mean
refuse forget (can’t) afford (can’t) wait 6

7. Verb + Gerund OR Infinitive
a) It began raining.
b) It began to rain.
Some verbs are followed by either a gerund or an infinitive. Usually there is no difference in meaning. (a) and (b) have the same meaning.
Common verbs followed by either a gerund or an infinitive
begin like** hate
start love** can’t stand
continue
would like would love are followed by infinitives.
I would like to go to a movie tonight. 7