Gerunds and infinitives can function as:NOUNS(subjects, objects, subject complements) As subjects, they take a singular verb. Only Gerunds can be object of the preposition.

To form gerunds, usethe base form + ing(don’t’ forget the rules for spelling of ing form of verbs)

I enjoy learning English

To form negative gerunds, use not + gerundNot speaking English well is my biggest problem in this country.

Gerunds used as subject of the sentence.

Dancing is fun.

Gerunds used as objects

He enjoys working with children.

Gerunds used as object of the preposition

I am thinking about taking the children to

Mexico.

Verbs that take only Gerunds

• Appreciate• Avoid• Delay• Deny• Discuss• Dislike• Enjoy• Excuse• Finish• understand

• Keep• Mention• Mind• Miss• Postpone• Quit• Recall• Recommend• Resent• suggest

Common preposition combinations followed by gerunds

• Be excited about, complain about, talk about, think about, worry about

• Apologize for, blame for, famous for• Believe in, interested in, succeed in• Take care of, instead of, be accused of• Insist on, count on, concentrate on• Keep from, prevent from, profit from• In addition to, look forward to, be used to

By + gerundYou get good grades by studying hard.

go + gerundRecreational activities: camping, dancing,sightseeing, swimming, skiing, fishing, jogging,

I will go fishing with you tomorrow.

Some expressions are used with gerundsBe busy, can’t help, have fun,

it’s no use, it’s not worth

To form infinitives useto + base form of the verb

I want to play.

To form negative infinitives useNot + infinitive

He decided not to go to play.

Infinitives in the subject position

To live in the United States is my dream.

It is my dream to live in the United States.

Verbs that take infinitivesVerb + infinitives – agree, appear,decidehope, intend, learn, offer, plan, seem,

tend, wait, can affordVerb + Noun phrase + infinitive – cause,

convince, force, invite, order, persuade, remind, tell, trust, warn, advise, encourage

Verbs that come directly after the infinitive or have a noun phrase – ask, beg, choose, expect, need, want, would like, promise

Adjectives followed by infinitives

Infinitive of purpose

In order toI came here in order to learn.

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.

We enjoy going to concerts. (you can only enjoy things you are doing or have

done – not things you haven’t done yet.)

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.

We hope to go to the concert.(You can hope for things that could happen

not things that have already happened)

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.

They allow smoking in the house.They allowed me to smoke in the house.

These verbs are:

adviseallow

encouragepermitrequire

urge

Some verbs can be followed by both gerund or infinitive with no

change in meaning.

Begin, hate, like,start, love, prefer, continue

I like cooking.I like to cook.

She started losing weight.She started to lose weight.

Some verbs although they can be used after both gerunds and infinitives have a

difference in meaning.

rememberforgetregretstoptryget

She stopped smoking.She stopped to smoke.

They forgot buying bread.They forgot to buy bread.

Used toBe used toGet used to

Used to + base formBe used to + gerundGet used to + gerund

Verbs of perception:infinitives: from start to finishGerunds: in progress

I heard the children cry.

I saw your friends walking in the park.

Infinitive forms are not used after the following verbs of

perception:feelseehearsmell

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

I really appreciate Karen’s/her writing that letter for me.

Peter’s/his coming late really annoys me.

Your neglecting your teeth will cause an earlier return to the dentist.

I didn’t like the dog’s barking all night.

I don’t mind his leaving early.(formal)

I don’t mind him leaving early.(informal)

ANYQUESTIONS???