This document defines and provides examples of gerunds and infinitives in English. Gerunds are verb forms ending in "-ing" that can serve as subjects, objects, or complements. Infinitives are verb forms starting with "to" that serve as subjects or follow certain verbs and adjectives. Examples are given of gerunds and infinitives used after prepositions, as subjects and objects, and following certain verbs. Both gerunds and infinitives can follow verbs like "begin" and "continue," though gerunds may imply a different meaning. Exercises are provided to practice identifying gerund and infinitive forms.
2. DEFINITION
Is the impersonal form of the verb, that way describes when the action is being
carried or it happening. It´s a invariable form of a verb´s ending, because it will
always end whit the –ing form.
GERUND
3. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GERUNDS
• They are used after the prepositions (of, at, to, in, on...)
• They serve to express as a sentence´s subject
• Also, they serve as an sentence´s object.
• They work as a complement.
• Some kind of verbs like: admit, enjoy, consider or avoid. May be followed by the –
ing form.
• Some verb forms like: can´t help, don´t mind, feel like, used to or look forward to.
Also may be followed by the -ing form.
4. FOR EXAMPLE:
• I hate the idea of washing dishes.
• He´s not very good at cooking.
• Smoking is bad for your health. AS A SUBJECT
• I love cooking. AS AN OBJECT
• My hobby is reading. AS A COMPLEMENT
• I enjoy playing football.
• He admitted having stolen the money
• I´m used to living on my own.
• She can´t help loving you
AFTER PREPOSITION
AFTER SOME VERBS
AFTER VERB FORMS
5. DEFINITION
The infinitive is the most basic form of the verbs in English. It´s usually
estructured as: to + infinitive verb. Also the infinitive form always indicates a
purpose.
INFINITIVE
6. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INFINITIVES
• They work as subject in a sentence, also they are used in a simple present time.
• They serve as a negative form (negative infinitive): not + infinitive verb
not + to + infinitive verb.
• They are used after adjectives.
• After some kind of verbs like: choose, decide, plan, want, hope, need, agree or
pretend. It may be followed by the -to + infinitive verb form.
• They work to give answer to “why questions”.
7. FOR EXAMPLE:
• It´s easy to understand
• It´s hard to love him
• To sleep was a pleasure. AS A SUBJECT (PRESENT INFINITIVE)
• Try not to be angry. NEGATIVE INFINITIVE
• I need to call my mother.
• Mary and Frank plan to buy a house soon.
• She hopes to get married the next year.
• Why did you stop working?
- To spend more time with my family.
AFTER ADJECTIVES
AFTER SOME VERBS
ANSWER TO “WHY QUESTIOS”
8. WE CAN USE BOTH FORMS WHEN…
Before some verbs like: begin, continue or start. Although use the gerund
could´ve another meaning than the infinitive.
FOR EXAMPLE
• I strated playing/to play football when I was 4.
• It began snowing/to snow.
• I don´t like being/to be late for work.
