
Gerund and infinitive forms of verbs in English: when to use them.
- After verbs that express likes/dislikes/preferences : like, love, enjoy, dislike, hate, mind, can't stand ... ...
- After certain other verbs such as : admit, appreciate, avoid, consider, delay, deny, finish, give up, imagine, involve, keep (on), mention, miss, postpone, suggest ...
- After prepositions : - worried/nervous/anxious about ... ...
What is a gerund and how do you use it?
What is a gerund and how do you use it? A gerund is type of noun that is created by adding ‘-ing’ to a verb, for example: In some cases, we need to add an extra consonant before the -ing. This typically happens when the last consonant in the verb follows a single, short vowel:
What are gerunds and how do you use them?
gerund as object
- Gerunds can be used as direct objects.like Sheena mastered painting
- Gerund phrases can be used as direct objects.like they hate boiled chicken
- Gerunds can be used as objects of prepositions.like He quickly took the approach of stealing
- Gerund phrases can be used as objects of prepositions.like Holidays are the best time to visit family
Can gerunds ever function as adverbs?
So is this a gerund functioning as an adverb? go ( went) is intransitive, so you can't have an noun object, so it can't be a gerund. It might be considered an adverbial participle. On the other hand, if your interpretation is I went to do (the activity of) running / jogging / etc., you have a case for a gerund.
Can gerund be use as an adverb?
While both the present participle and the gerund can be used as an adjective, as described above, only the present participle can be used as an adverb. Consider the following sentence: She ran out of the room crying. Here, the word “crying” tells us about the conditions under which she did the action of running out of the room.

Where are gerunds and infinitives used?
Gerunds and infinitives can replace a noun in a sentence. Gerund = the present participle (-ing) form of the verb, e.g., singing, dancing, running. Infinitive = to + the base form of the verb, e.g., to sing, to dance, to run.
What are the six rules of using gerunds and infinitives?
Subject = Gerund. When you need an action as a subject, use a gerund. ... Preposition + Gerund. After a preposition, use a gerund. ... Verb + Gerund. A gerund or an infinitive can be used after a main verb. ... Adjective + Infinitive. After an adjective, it is common to use an infinitive verb. ... Noun + Infinitive. ... Verb + Infinitive.
Where do we use gerund?
A gerund is like a blend of verbs and nouns. It looks like a verb, but it acts like a noun. For example, the word swimming is an example of a gerund. We can use the word swimming in a sentence as a noun to refer to the act of moving around in water as in Swimming is fun.
How do you know if a word is a gerund or infinitive?
In a nutshell, a word formed from a verb acting as a noun and ending in ing is a gerund. Infinitive phrases – normally referred to as infinitives – are formed with the word to in front of a verb.
Why do we use infinitives?
Infinitives are used to explain why someone is doing something, often replacing the phrase “in order to.” In this case, they act as adverbs to describe the main verb.
How do you identify a gerund?
A gerund is the –ing form of a verb that functions the same as a noun. For example, “Running is fun.” In this sentence, “running” is the gerund.
How do you teach gerunds and infinitives?
My Teaching Method for Teaching Gerunds & Infinitives with a StoryRead the story aloud to the class. ... Briefly explain that in English, often verbs are followed by another action. ... On the white/chalkboard, write "Verb + infinitive" on the left side, and "Verb + Gerund" on the right.Reread your story for a third time.More items...
Is walking a gerund?
Walking is a gerund here because, it is being used as a noun and not an adjective.
Why do we need gerund?
Gerunds, like other nouns, may also act as direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of the preposition. It is helpful to recognize gerunds because if a noun or pronoun precedes a gerund, it is usually best to use the possessive form of that noun or pronoun. Correct: My running ahead bothered him.
What is gerund and give 5 examples?
What's a gerund? A gerund is the noun form of a verb that ends in -ing. For example, playing, dancing, eating. Right away this is confusing for students, as they are used to seeing that form as the continuous/progressive form of the verb (“she is eating”, “they were dancing”).
What is the difference between gerund participle and infinitive?
Remember, gerunds are words that are formed from verbs and used as nouns, always ending in -ing; participles are words created from verbs that can be used as adjectives or in adverbial phrases, also ending in -ing (unless expressing past tense); and infinitives are verbs that take the simple tense and follow the ...
Is watch a gerund or infinitive?
Infinitives are the base form of the verb e.g. look, see, watch. Infinitives can either be used alone or with to. "We could go shopping tomorrow."
What is the rule of gerund?
Gerunds are nouns formed from verbs. walking, talking, thinking, listening. Gerunds are formed by adding ING to verbs. think + ing = thinking.
What is gerund and give 5 examples?
What's a gerund? A gerund is the noun form of a verb that ends in -ing. For example, playing, dancing, eating. Right away this is confusing for students, as they are used to seeing that form as the continuous/progressive form of the verb (“she is eating”, “they were dancing”).
What are the 5 types of gerund?
The four types of gerunds and gerund phrases follow:Subject. Gardening is my favorite hobby. (Gardening is normally a verb, but here it is the name of an activity.) ... Direct Object. My neighbors admire my gardening. ... Object of Preposition. I have received several awards for my gardening. ... Subject Complement.
When TO is followed by gerund?
It is not part of the infinitive form of the verb. You can check whether "to" is a preposition or part of the infinitive. If you can put the pronoun "it" after the word "to" and form a meaningful sentence, then the word "to" is a preposition and must be followed by a gerund.
What is the difference between an infinitive and a gerund?
Here are the main differences between how they are used: 1. The infinitive can sound more formal than a gerund as the subject of a sentence. Example. Infinitive as subject: To complain would be silly. Gerund as subject: Complaining would be silly. 2. Infinitives and gerunds can also act as objects of verbs.
What are some examples of verbs that take only gerunds?
Gerunds, but not infinitives, can act as the object of certain verbs. Examples. Nesbit mentioned seeing / to see strange lights in the sky. Anita and I discussed reorganizing / to reorganize the staff allocation. Lulu has finished eating / to eat all the candy.
What are some examples of infinitives?
Infinitives and gerunds can be used interchangeably as the object of some verbs, such as start, begin, continue, love, like, prefer, hate. Examples. Infinitive: Lulu started to sing . Gerund: Lulu started singing . Infinitive: Tumkin began to dance . Gerund: Tumkin began dancing .
What does "try" mean in a gerund?
Change in meaning. Some verbs can mean different things when used with infinitives and with gerunds. When try is used with an infinitive, it means “to attempt to do something difficult.”. But when try is used with a gerund, it conveys the meaning of “experimenting with something new.”. Example.
What does Maya like to drink?
Infinitive: Maya likes to drink tea. Gerund: Maya likes drinking tea. Infinitive: Rita prefers to drink beer than to sip on tea. Gerund: Rita prefers drinking beer to sipping on tea. Gerunds and infinitives. Photo by You X Ventures on Unsplash.
Is "gerund" an infinitive or object?
Infinitive as object: She likes to read. Gerund as subject: Dancing is his passion. Gerund as object: She likes reading science fiction. Since both infinitives and gerunds can replace nouns in sentences, they are sometimes interchangeable, but not always.
Can infinitives be used as objects?
2. Infinitives and gerunds can also act as objects of verbs. Some verbs take gerunds and infinitives interchangeably. Others can take only infinitives, while still others can take only gerunds. Examples. Infinitive or gerund, either: She likes to run / running . Infinitive only: He wants to leave / leaving.
What is a gerund?
What are Gerunds? A gerund is a verb in its ing (present participle) form that functions as a noun that names an activity rather than a person or thing. Any action verb can be made into a gerund. Spelling Tip.
What are some examples of infinitives?
Infinitive Examples. Infinitives can be used as: an object following the verb: Jim always forgets to eat. a subject at the beginning of a sentence: To travel around the world requires a lot of time and money. an adverb modifying a verb: You promised to buy me a diamond ring. an adjective modifying a noun:
When to use "gerund" in a sentence?
Gerund Examples. Gerunds can appear at the beginning of a sentence when used as a subject: Jogging is a hobby of mine. Gerunds can act as an object following the verb: Daniel quit smoking a year ago. Gerunds can serve as an object after a preposition: I look forward to helping you paint the house.
Does Paul use chemicals on vegetables?
Paul avoids using chemicals on the vegetables he grows. Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or an infinitive without causing a change in meaning: Some people prefer getting up early in the morning. Some people prefer to get up early in the morning.
What is a gerund in English?
The gerund is the -ing form of a verb. It acts as a noun in a sentence and follows certain verbs, prepositions and adjectives. Learn when to use the gerund and when to use the infinitive in English grammar with Lingolia’s grammar lesson. Then, practise verb patterns in English grammar with our interactive exercises.
How to use infinitive in a sentence?
The infinitive is the basic form of the verb. We use the infinitive: 1 after certain adjectives#N#Example:#N#It was impossible to go back. 2 after certain nouns#N#Example:#N#There was no need to get angry. 3 after certain expressions#N#Example:#N#I would rather stay at home. 4 after certain verbs (with or without an object)#N#Example:#N#We might stay at home.
What follows the infinitive?
The infinitive follows certain adjectives, nouns, verbs and expressions either with or without “to”. Click on the links below to see a list of words followed by the infinitive. List of adjective followed by the infinitive with “to”. List of nouns followed by the infinitive with “to”.
What does "gerund" mean in a sentence?
We can use the infinitive or the gerund after the following verbs, but the meaning changes. word. meaning with infinitive. meaning with gerund. forget/remember. refers to the future. Remember to switch off the lights. refers to the past.
What is an infinitive verb?
Infinitive. The infinitive is the basic form of the verb. We use the infinitive: after certain adjectives. Example: It was impossible to go back. after certain nouns. Example: There was no need to get angry.
Is "gerund" a verb?
Gerund. The gerund is also called the ing-form of a verb and is conjugated in the same way as the present participle. We use the gerund: as the subject of a sentence. Example: Cycling is good for your health. after certain prepositions. Example: Instead of studying for her exams, she went out every night.
What Is an Infinitive? What Is a Gerund?
An infinitive is the verb form that has “to” at the beginning. For example, “to do,” “to sleep,” “to love” and “to create.” It is the simplest verb form that you have to modify to fit into sentences.
Rule 3: Infinitives should be used after many adjectives
Here are three sample sentences that will help to illustrate this rule:
Gerunds
A gerund is a noun made out of a word that typically functions as a verb, by adding “–ing” to the end of the verb.
Things to Consider
Both gerunds and infinitives can be used as the subject or the complement of a sentence. However, as subjects or complements, gerunds usually sound more like normal, spoken English, whereas infinitives sound more abstract. Gerunds sound more natural and would be more common in everyday English.
Examples
As the object of a sentence, it is more difficult to choose between a gerund or an infinitive. In such situations, gerunds and infinitives are not normally interchangeable. Usually, the main verb in the sentence determines whether you use a gerund or an infinitive.
Verb: To Prefer
You can use gerund and infinitive with “to prefer“ interchangeably; however, the syntax is slightly different.
Visiting another country
Do you remember doing anything that seems to have surprised or confused someone of a different nationality?
