Gerunds And Infinitive

By Laura Payares Pájaro

Margareth May Cárdenas

INFINITIVE

To – Infinitive(with to)

Bare Infinitive(Without to)

TO – INFINITIVE Structure:To + the simple form of a verb I hope to see you again soon

Negative form: Not + to + the simple form of a verb I hope not to see you again

Verbs followed by a To – Infinitive

Verbs followed by a pronoun object and a to infinitive or

just followed by a to infinitive

want* expect help* would like

Ask beg mean (=intend) would prefer

*Want: Do not say “want that”

*Help: After help you can use to infinitive (with to) or bare infinitive (without to).

The structure can be Verb + pronoun + to infinitive or Verb + to

Verbs followed by a pronoun and a to

infinitive tell remind force encourage teach enable

order warn invite persuade get (=persuade, arrange for)

The structure is verb + pronoun + to:

BARE INFINITIVE

can  could  may  might  must  shall  should  will   would 

feel  hear  help  let 

make  see notice   watch

GERUNDS A Gerund is the -ing form of a verb used

as noun, it can consist of a single word or a phrase.

It can be used as:1. A subject 2. An object of a verb 3. An object of a preposition4. An adjective5. An direct object

AS A SUBJECTExample:

Reading helps you learn English Walking is a good exercise Gardening is my favorite hobby Playing tennis is fun

As a subject in a noun phrase:

Gardening in the summer time is a challenge(Noun phrase: gardening in the summer time)

AS AN OBJECT OF A VERBIs always after the verb. There is nothing between the principal verb and the gerund verb.

Example:

We enjoy playing tennis She keeps changing her mind about the

wedding He admitted stealing the money

AS AN DIRECT OBJECT

The gerund used as a noun function as a direct object after the principal verb.

My neighbors admire my gardening

I'm enjoying my gardening this year

AS AN ADJECTIVE Before the noun

Example: I heard some surprising news The crying baby had a wet diaper The burning log fell of the fire

AS AN OBJECT OF A PREPOSITION After a preposition you always use a gerundExample: He is exited about playing tennis. I have received several awards for my

gardening (gerund used a noun after a prep.)

Some people consider my interest in gardening an obsession.

I'm used to sleeping with window open. (TO here is used as a preposition and not for referring to a to-infinitive.)

By riding my bike, I feel more conscientious. (gerund used as an object after a preposition)

COMMON PREPOSITION COMBINATIONS FOLLOWED BY GERUNDS

Be excited Be worried about doing something

Henry is excited about leaving for India.

Complaindreamtalk about/of doing somethingthink

Fred is always complaining about having a headache.

Keeppreventprohibit someone from doing something

StopThe rain prevented us from completing the work

Insist On doing somenthing.

Apologizeblame *someone*forgive *someone*thank *someone* For doing something have an excuse ex: I have no excuse for being late. have a reasonbe responsible

BelieveBe interested in doing somethingparticipate ex: she isn't interested in looking for a new job. succeed

Be accused Be capableBe guiltyBe tired Of doing something Take advantage ex: you're capable of doing a better job. Take care Instead

SPECIAL EXPRESSION FOLLOWED BY –ING *STRUCTURE* Have fun/a good time +ingHave trouble/difficulty + ing

Ex: We had fun playing baseball. We had trouble finding his house.

Spend/waste + expression of time or money+ ing

Ex: Sam spends most of time studying.

Sit/stand/lie+ expression of place+ ing Ex: She sat at her desk writing a letter.

Find/catch + (pro) noun + ingEx: When we walked into the office we found George using my cellphoneWhen we walked into the office I caught a thief looking through my desk drawers

Go + ing Go is followed by certain idiomatic expressions, for the most part, recreational activities.Go Fishing shopping swimming

NEW SUBJECT BEFORE -ING Some verbs can be used with a new

subject before the -ing form Ex: I resented Tom winning the prize I cant imagine George riding a

motorbike You cant stop me doing what I want Sorry to keep you waiting so long Do you mind me being here while you're

working? I don’t want to risk him losing his job

PHRASAL VERBS WITH -ING We also use –ing after some phrasal

verbs

Give up – go on – keep on – carry on – made up – put off – get through.

You keep on interrupting when I'm talking.

Jenny doesn’t want to retire. She wants to go on working.

I've given up reading newspapers. I think is a waste of time.

STRUCTURES Affirmative:Subject+principal verb+ ing form+complement. John intends buying this house. Negative:Subj + ppl verb+ NOT+ ing form + compl.When I'm on holiday, I enjoy not having to get up early. Interrogative:Do you mind washing my clothes? Present perfect :Subj + Have/has + ppl. verb + ing form + compl.I haven't finished eating yet

VERBS FOLLOWED BY -ING Admit Advice Allow Anticipate Appreciate Avoid Begin bother Cant bear Cant stand Cant help Cant see Complete Continue Consider Delay Deny Discuss Dislike Enjoy Finish Forget Fancy Hate

intend Keep Like Love Mention Miss Postpone Practice Prefer Quit Recall Recollect Recommend Regret Remember Resent Resist Risk Start Stop Suggest Tolerate Try understand

VERBS FOLLOWED BY –ING OR TO - INFINITIVE

With difference in meaning

Remember regret forget try attempt Continue mean stop

Judy always remembers to lock the door.

I remember seeing the Alps for the first time. The sight was impressive.

• With NO difference in meaning

Begin continue bother start intend hate can't stand can't bear

It began to rain / it began raining.I started to work/ I started working

• With a little differenceLike love prefer

• I like to clean my house (I think it is a good thing to do, but I don’t necessarily enjoy it)

• I like cleaning my house (I do it and I enjoy it)