Gerunds and infinitives
At this stage, you know:
•
that when one verb follows another, the
first verb determines the form of the
second.
•
This can be the gerund (verb + ing)
•
Or the infinitive (with or without to)
When to use the gerund
•
After certain verbs you always need the
gerund:
•
admit, avoid, enjoy, fancy, finish, risk,
regret, begin, miss, imagine, suggest
Certain expressions
•
I can’t stand working in an office!
•
I can’t help falling in love with you!
•
No more complaining!
After phrasal verbs
•
Give up smoking.
•
Keep on dancing!
•
Take up gardening.
•
I look forward to meeting you.
Gerunds (-ing)
When a verb ends in -ing, it may be a gerund or a
progressive:
• (It is important to understand that they are not the same)
• When we use a verb in -ing form more like a noun, it is
usually a
gerund
:
Fishing
is fun.
• When we use a verb in -ing form more like a verb or
an
adjective
, it is usually a
present progressive
:
• Anthony
is fishing
.
• I saw an
interesting
movie.
Gerunds (-ing)
When a verb ends in -ing, it may be a gerund or a present progressive:
• (They are NOT the same)
4 WAYS TO IDENTIFY A GERUND
1. Ends in -ING
2. You can replace all the gerunds with "real" nouns:
• Fishing is fun. It is fun
I will call you after arriving at the office. I will call you after my
arrival at the office.
Please have a drink before leaving. Please have a
drink before your departure.
3. Gerunds go after certain verbs and prepositions.
4. It is NOT the action of the sentence.
• I saw an interesting movie. (Gerund)
• Anthony is fishing. (X)
The infinitive 1.
(with to)
•
After certain verbs including:
•
Agree, appear, offer, be able to, decide,
expect, promise, refuse, seem, threaten,
want, need, plan, manage, learn, help
The infinitive 2
(without to)
•
After modal verbs: can, can’t, may, might must,
should, had better, would rather, make and let.
•
We should do this more often.
•
My boss makes me work hard all week.
•
She lets me leave early on Fridays.
I like cooking v. I like to cook?
•
In the past, you probably learnt that after
verbs such as “like”, it’s better to use the
gerund.
•
but, you may have noticed that in fact,
verbs such as like, love and prefer can be
followed by either the gerund or the
infinitve.
As a guideline...
•
The gerund is more common when talking
generally, while the infinitive is more specific:
•
I like going out ( in general)
•
I like to go out on a Saturday night (specific).
•
I don’t like cooking (in general)
•
But I like to cook for my partner sometimes
(more specific).
•
When the verb is the subject of a
sentence: “Living in Madrid is very
expensive”, “To live in Madrid is very
expensive”.
•
With some verbs: begin, start, intend,
propose…
Gerund or infinitive with no different
meaning.
No change in meaning
•
I began studying French when I was 14
•
I began to study French when I was 14
•
I started driving when I was 17.
•
I started to drive when I was 17.
•
I continued studying after work.
•
I continued to study after work.
Change in meaning
(you have to learn these)
Please remember to buy some bread!
I remember buying sweets after school.
I forgot to do my English homework.
I’ll never forget seeing her for the first time.
I stopped going to German classes.
I stopped to talk to my friend in the street.
Infinitive
•
STOP: “I stopped to watch TV.”
I stopped doing something and I started
to watch TV.
•
FORGET: “I forgot to lock the door.”
I didn’t do it.
•
REMEMBER: “I never remember to do
my homework.”
I don’t do my homework because I don’t
remember.
•
REGRET: “I regret to tell you your
composition is not good enough.” I’m
sorry I’m going to tell you that your
composition is not good enough.
•
STOP: “I stopped watching TV”.
I turned off the TV.
•
FORGET: I forget locking the door.”
I don’t know if I locked the door or
not.
•
REMEMBER: “I never remember
doing my homework.”
I don’t remember if I’ve done my
homework or not.
•
REGRET: “I regret insulting my
sister.” I’m sorry I insulted my sister.
Gerund or infinitive with different
meaning.
Gerund
Change in meaning
•
Try to finish work early on Friday so we
can go away for the weekend.
•
Try finishing work early on Friday (to see if
you feel better)
•
I try to do yoga twice a week, but
sometimes I only go once.
•
Why don’t you try doing yoga once a
week?
Change in meaning
•
I need to clean my car.
•
The car needs cleaning (passive
contruction)
•
My teacher made me work hard.
•
I was made to work hard at school.
gerund or infinitive
•
Use the gerund (verb+
ing):
1.
after prepositions
2.
after certain verbs (e.g.
like, love, hate, etc.)
3.
as the subject of a
sentence
•
What are you thinking of
doing next summer?
•
Ironing is one job I hate
doing.
•
Use to + infinitives:
1.
after adjectives
2.
after certain verbs (e.g.
need, want, decide, etc.)
3.
to express
purpose/reason
•
Do you find it difficult to
fall asleep?
•
Do you want to go out
tonight?
•
I’m studying English to
get a better job.
•
Common verbs that
take the gerund (ing
form):
Like, love, hate,
enjoy, mind, finish,
stop
•
Common verbs that
take the to +
inifinitive:
would like, want,
need, decide, hope,
expect, plan, forget,
seem, try, promise,
offer, refuse, learn,
manage
Gerund or infinitive: choose the
correct answer.
1.
I have finished (to decorate/decorating) the
house.
2.
I can’t stand (to work/working) in an office.
3.
We hope (to arrive/arriving) by half past
seven.
4.
It was a wonderful holiday. I will always
remember (to see/seeing) Niagara Falls.
5.
They can’t promise (to finish/finishing) the
work today.
6.
He hates (to use/using) computers.
Gerund: choose the correct form.
1. This question needs _________.
a)discussing, b) being discussed, c) having discussed
2. He can’t give up _______ chocolate.
a)eating, b) being eaten, c) having been eaten
3. She apologised for not ______ her friend at the airport.
a)meeting, b) being met, c) having met
4. He avoids ____ to strangers. Moreover, he avoids ___to.
a)speaking, b) being spoken, c) having spoken
5. This dress is dirty. It wants ___.
a)washing, b) being washed, c) having been washed
If in doubt...
•
More verbs are followed by the infinitive
than gerund.
•
Remember phrasal verbs are always
follwed by the gerund.
•
Use your intuition!
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