By. Kalen Pereira
The Gerund&Infinitive
The “Gerund and Infinitive” The gerund and the infinitive are forms of verbs that act as names. The gerund is formed with "-ing" (walking, eating, etc.). As we have seen in the lesson on verbs, the infinitive is formed with the preposition "to" (to walk, to eat, etc.).
ING
• GEROUND
TO
• INFINITIVE
The gerund and the infinitive are forms of verbs that act as names. The gerund is formed with "-ing" (walking, eating, etc.). As we have seen in the lesson on verbs, the infinitive is formed with the preposition "to" (to walk, to eat, etc.). The use of the infinitive (I would like to travel) and of the gerund (I like traveling) in English is a habitual source of problems between the students. Probably because the two structures translate into Spanish with the same structure (I would like to travel / I like to travel), therefore the natural tendency of the students consists of over-using the infinitive in English. The other problem is that the use of one form or another depends, to a large extent, on the type of verb they accompany (for like + infinitive, like + gerund) and for that there is a list of verbs that require an infinitive and verbs Which require a gerund to be memorized. Today we will see the general rules of the use of the infinitive and the gerund in English, and next week we will try some more complex points.
List of verbs last page
Grammatical Rules “When one verb follows another verb, we always need to use the infinitive or the gerund.�
1
Usually we use the infinitive after some verbs and the gerund after others. There are also verbs with which we can use the gerund or the infinitive.
• • • • • • • • • •
I can’t afford to buy a new car. He began to doubt himself. / He began doubting himself. They decided to move to Australia in May. I enjoy listening to music. She hates studying. / She hates to study. You love dancing. / You love to dance. He needed to leave class early because he had an appointment. She can’t tolerate complaining. I tried learning English. / I tried to learn English. My mother could retire, but she keeps working.
“We can use the gerund or the infinitive as an object, subject or complement of a sentence, but in general, it is much more common to use the gerund as subject.”
2
• Object – I like cooking. / I like to cook. – She continued working. / She continued to work. • Subject – Swimming is good exercise. – Drinking and driving is dangerous. • Complement – The best thing to do when you are sick is to drink a lot of water. – My favorite exercise is swimming.
3
“The infinitive is used after adjectives.” DISAPPOINTED , GLAD , HAPPY, PLEASED , RELIEVED, SAD , SURPRISED …
• •
I’m glad to see you. She was surprised to find the door unlocked.
“After prepositions we can only use the gerund”
4
ABOUT , AGAINST , AT, AFTER , BEFORE , BY , ON , WITHOUT …
• • •
He’s good at listening. I always read before going to bed. You can’t leave without saying goodbye.
“The gerund is used after some names.”
5 • • •
ADVANTAGE/DISADVANTAGE OF , DANGER OF , EXPERIENCE IN, INTERESTED IN , OPPORTUNITY OF , REASON FOR, PROBLEM WITH …
What is the advantage of waiting? I am interested in taking English classes. His problem finding a new job was his lack of experience.
“The gerund is used after some expressions or phrasal verbs.”
6
TO LOOK FORWARD TO , TO BE WORTH , CAN’T HELP , DON’T MIND , FEEL LIKE…
• • •
We’re really looking forward to seeing you. That movie is not worth seeing. I can’t help falling in love.
VERBS VERB
GERUND
INFINITIVE
VERB
GERUND
INFINITIVE
X
X
Afford
X
Love
Agree
X
Manage
X
Attempt
X
Need
X
X
Offer
X
X
Plan
X
X
Prefer
X
Promise
Begin
X
Choose Continue
X
Decide Detest
X
Quit
Enjoy
X
Refuse
Expect
X
Regret
Faul
X
Seem
Finish
X
Hate
X
Hope Imagine
Keep
like
X X X X
X
Suggest
X
X
Tend
X
Threaten
X
X
X
X
X
X
Learn
X
Start
X
Intend
X
Tolerate
X
Try
X
X
Want
X
Wish
X
X X
X
X
By. Pereira Gallo, Kalen Joshua CI. V-25.447.437