Gerunds and InfinitivesGerunds and Infinitives

Bjarne Nielsen

As subjectsAs subjects

To know the answer is wonderful Knowing the answer is wonderful

As objectsAs objects

Tony enjoys living in Charlotte Tony plans to live in Charlotte

After prepositionsAfter prepositions

Tony is interested in getting a dog Tony is interested in to get a dog (wrong!)

PracticePractice

(Study) English is difficult– Studying English is difficult– To study English is difficult

(Find) a good job was easy (Move) to New York was a bad idea (Watch) a lot of television is common (Be) on vacation was fun

PracticePractice

They enjoy (live) in Charlotte She planned (move) to New York He considered (drop) the class We hope (find) the keys She anticipated (meet) the actor They asked me (play) piano

Practice Practice

They are afraid of (try) something new She was interested in (learn) Italian He agreed with (cancel) the class They are known for (be) tough She is accustomed to (have) lots of money They look forward to (meet) the actress

Passive GerundsPassive Gerunds

As subject– Being seen on television made him famous

As object– He appreciates being given the opportunity

After preposition– They depended on being released early

Passive InfinitivesPassive Infinitives

As subject– To be promoted made Tina very happy

As object– She hopes to be promoted

After preposition– Not possible! After preposition, use gerund

Past GerundsPast Gerunds

As subject– Having found a job makes him happy

As object– He appreciates having met the king

After preposition– He looks back on having lost the money with

sadness

Past InfinitivesPast Infinitives

As subject– To have lived fully satisfies the soul

As object– The rain seems to have stopped

After preposition– Not possible! Use gerunds after prepositions

Past and Passive GerundsPast and Passive Gerunds

As subject– Having been arrested hurt his reputation

As object– He remembers having been surprised

After preposition– He is comfortable with having been elected

Past and Passive InfinitivesPast and Passive Infinitives

As subject– To have been saved from the lion made him

thankful As object

– He seems to have been arrested in Miami After preposition

– Not possible! Use gerunds after prepositions