Gerund and Infinitive

Gerund and Infinitive

Hello, English learners. Welcome to a new lesson. Today, we will learn about gerunds and infinitives.

As you probably know, a gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing (swimming, walking, running), while the infinitive is the base form of a verb. It can be used with to (also known as full infinitive) or without to (bare infinitive).

Gerund

The gerund is used:

1. as a noun. It can be a subject or an object of a sentence.

Running every morning is good for you.

Martha is afraid of flying.

2. after preference verbs: like, dislike, love, enjoy, prefer, hate, etc.:

Sean loves swimming.

We enjoy walking.

3. after ‘go’ for physical activities:

We usually go shopping on Saturday.

It’s so hot. Let’s go swimming.

4. after certain verbs: avoid, admit, begin, confess to, deny, discuss, finish, keep, look forward to, mind, object to, recommend, regret, risk, spend, start, stop, suggest, etc.

I avoid exercising in the evening.

Sean suggested taking the train to Bath.

5. after certain phrases: it’s (no) good, it’s (no) use, it’s worth, be used to, be busy, there is no point, can’t stand, can’t help, etc.

I can’t stand waiting in queues.

It’s worth visiting that museum.

6. after prepositions.

Her legs were tired after walking for so long.

She was afraid of losing her suitcase.

7. after see, hear, listen, watch to express an incomplete action.

I saw Michael crossing the street. (they didn’t see the entire action, only a part of it)

While they were sailing, they heard the dolphins singing.

Infinitive

The full infinitive is used:

1. to express purpose.

She did some yoga to relax.

We walked about to get warmer.

2. After would love/like

I would love to come to the party but I’m too busy.

I’d like to visit Australia.

3. after adjectives (nice, good, pleased, happy, sorry, angry, etc.)

It’s nice to see you again.

The children were pleased to see an elephant.

4. after nouns.

It took a lot of courage to do that.

Mark didn’t have the patience to do the jigsaw puzzle.

5. after certain verbs: advise, agree, promise, offer, manage, hope, appear, want, see, mean, decide, plan, etc.

Simon decided to study languages instead of history.

We plan to visit some Greek islands on our holiday.

6. after question words (how, where, when, who, which, etc.) except why.

We have to decide what to do.

The tour guide instructed us where to go.

Note: She wondered why he disliked her.

7. after too and enough.

Helen’s parents thought she was too young to drive.

Is the cord long enough to reach the socket?

The bare infinitive is used:

1. After modal verbs.

I wish I could help you.

You must eat your dinner.

2. after ‘would rather’ and ‘had better’.

I would rather stay at home tonight.

You’d better book your ticket in advance.

3. after let, make, see, hear + object.

My dad lets me use his car at weekends.

Our mum made us eat our dinner.

Gerund and Infinitive – lesson – download

Gerund and Infinitive – exercise – download

Get more gerund and infinitive exercises here

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