Gerunds & Infinitives
Introduction
In English, gerunds and infinitives are verb forms that can function as nouns. Understanding when and how to use them is essential for mastering the language.
Gerunds
- A gerund is a verb that ends in "-ing" and functions as a noun in a sentence.
- Gerunds can be used as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence.
Examples:
- Subject:
- "Swimming is a great exercise."
- Object:
- "She enjoys reading."
- Complement:
- "His favorite hobby is painting."
Infinitives
- An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by the word "to."
- Infinitives can also function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
Examples:
- Noun:
- "To run is my goal."
- Adjective:
- "She has a book to read."
- Adverb:
- "He went outside to play."
Gerunds vs. Infinitives
Certain verbs, expressions, and structures require gerunds, while others require infinitives. Sometimes, the meaning changes depending on which form is used.
Common Verbs Followed by Gerunds
- Avoid: "She avoids talking to strangers."
- Enjoy: "They enjoy traveling."
- Finish: "He finished writing the report."
- Mind: "Do you mind opening the window?"
Common Verbs Followed by Infinitives
- Agree: "She agreed to help."
- Choose: "He chose to stay at home."
- Decide: "We decided to leave early."
- Plan: "They plan to visit London."
Verbs That Can Take Both (with a Change in Meaning)
Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning of the sentence changes:
- Remember:
- Gerund: "I remember locking the door." (The action of locking the door is a memory.)
- Infinitive: "Remember to lock the door." (The action of locking the door is something you need to do in the future.)
- Forget:
- Gerund: "I’ll never forget meeting her." (The meeting is a past memory.)
- Infinitive: "Don’t forget to call me." (A reminder about a future action.)
- Stop:
- Gerund: "He stopped smoking." (He quit the habit.)
- Infinitive: "He stopped to smoke." (He paused in order to smoke.)
Gerunds and Infinitives After Prepositions
- Gerunds are always used after prepositions:
- "She is good at cooking."
- "They talked about leaving early."
- Infinitives are used after certain phrases:
- "In order to succeed, you must work hard."
- "I went there to see a friend."
Infinitive Without "To"
Some verbs are followed by the infinitive without “to”:
- Make: "She made me cry."
- Let: "Let him go."
- Help: "Can you help me carry this?"
- Hear: "I heard him shout."
- Watch: "We watched them play."
Common Expressions with Gerunds
- Can’t help: "I can’t help laughing."
- It’s no use: "It’s no use trying to convince him."
- Worth: "That movie is worth watching."
Common Expressions with Infinitives
- To be honest: "To be honest, I didn’t like the movie."
- In order to: "She studied hard in order to pass the exam."
- Too...to: "The box is too heavy to lift."
Practice Sentences
- Gerund as a Subject:
- Gerund as an Object:
- Infinitive as a Noun:
- Infinitive After an Adjective:
- Gerund After a Preposition:
- Infinitive After a Verb:
Comparison Chart
| Verb | Gerund (-ing) | Infinitive (to + base verb) |
|---|---|---|
| Begin | "I began studying at 8 PM." | "I began to study at 8 PM." |
| Like | "She likes swimming." | "She likes to swim." |
| Prefer | "He prefers reading at night." | "He prefers to read at night." |
| Try | "Try writing with your left hand." | "Try to write with your left hand." |
Conclusion
Gerunds and infinitives are versatile tools in English, allowing speakers to express actions, intentions, and ideas in various ways. By understanding the rules and patterns associated with each, learners can improve their fluency and accuracy in communication.