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Gerunds and Infinitives

The document discusses the differences between gerunds and infinitives. Gerunds are verb forms ending in "-ing" that function as nouns. Infinitives are forms with "to" added, such as "to dance." Gerunds can be subjects, objects, or objects of prepositions. Infinitives often follow verbs indicating future action. Both gerunds and infinitives can follow verbs that take a noun phrase and infinitive, with the gerund making the action more general and the infinitive more specific to a person.

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102 views18 pages

Gerunds and Infinitives

The document discusses the differences between gerunds and infinitives. Gerunds are verb forms ending in "-ing" that function as nouns. Infinitives are forms with "to" added, such as "to dance." Gerunds can be subjects, objects, or objects of prepositions. Infinitives often follow verbs indicating future action. Both gerunds and infinitives can follow verbs that take a noun phrase and infinitive, with the gerund making the action more general and the infinitive more specific to a person.

Uploaded by

Ana Carolina
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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⦿ Gerund is the –ing form of a verb used as a

noun.
⦿ To form gerunds, use

the base form +ing

Example : Ienjoy learning English

⦿ To form negative gerunds, use


not +gerund
Example : Not speaking English well is my
biggest problem in this country
Traveling might satisfy your
desire for new experiences.
2. Gerunds used as objects

Example : They do not appreciate my


singing.
3. Gerund as object of preposition

Example : He’s excited about playing


tennis.
By + gerund
Example : You get good grades by
studying hard.

Go + gerund
Example : Iwill go fishing with you
tomorrow.
⦿ Infinitives is to +the simple form of a verb.
⦿ To form infinitives use
to +base form of the verb

Example : Iwant to dance.

⦿ To form negative infinitives use

Not +infinitive

Example : He decided not to go to the


party.
1. Infinitives in the subject position

Example : To live in the United States is


my dream.
2. Infinitive of purpose

Example : Icame here in order to learn.


Too + adjective or adverb + infinitive
Example : She is too young to vote.

Adjective or adverb + enough + infinitive

Example :They are old enough to vote.


Gerunds often follow verbs that indicate that
an action is happening or has happened.

The action expressed by the verb comes at


the same time or after the action expressed
by the gerund.

Example : We enjoy going to concerts.


Infinitives often follow verbs that indicate
that an action will or could happen.

The action expressed by the verb


comes before the action expressed by
the infinitive.

Example : We hope to go to the


concert.
Verbs that are followed by a noun
phrase +infinitive can also be followed
by a gerund.

The gerund makes it general and the


infinitive make specific the person
indicated.
Example :
1. They allow smoking in this building.
They allowed me to smoke in this
building.

2. Ilike cooking.
Ilike to cook.

3. She started losing weight


She started to lose weight.
When a specific performer of the gerund
action needs to be indicated, a possessive
noun or a possessive determiner is used.

Example :
Ireally appreciate Karen’s/her writing that
letter for me.

Peter’s/his coming late really annoys me.


When an infinitive functions as a subject,
any stated subject of the infinitive should
be preceded by for. If a pronoun follows
for, it must be in object form.

When the subject of a gerund is stated, it


takes the possessive form.
Example :

1. For people to see is a wonderful gift.

2.Her desire was for them to take a trip


around the world

3.They hoped for her to be able to


attend the concert
PhD (c). Jesús Miguel Correa Narváez
[email protected]
573167531350

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