Gerunds and Infinitives

Gerunds and
infinitives
Teacher Andrea Ambriz
Introduction
A verb can be followed by another verb. The second one

usually needs to change into the -ing form or the to +
infinitive form. Which form you need depends on what the
first verb is.
What are Gerunds?
• A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun.
• Example: "Swimming is my favorite exercise."
⚬ In this sentence, "swimming" is a gerund, acting as the subject of
the sentence.
• Gerunds can also function as the object of a sentence or as the object
of a preposition.
⚬ Example: "I enjoy reading books." (Gerund as the object of the
verb "enjoy")
⚬ Example: "She is good at singing." (Gerund as the object of the
preposition "at")
• Note: Some verbs are followed by gerunds (e.g., enjoy, dislike, finish),
while others are followed by infinitives.
Infinitives
• An infinitive is the base form of a verb (e.g., "to swim," "to read") and is used as a noun,
adjective, or adverb in a sentence.
• Example: "I like to swim in the ocean."
⚬ In this sentence, "to swim" is an infinitive, acting as the direct object of the verb
"like."
• Infinitives can also function as the subject of a sentence, the object of a preposition, or an
adjective/adverb.
⚬ Example: "To succeed requires hard work." (Infinitive as the subject of the sentence)
⚬ Example: "I am eager to learn." (Infinitive as an adjective modifying the pronoun "I")
⚬ Example: "She went to the store to buy groceries." (Infinitive as the purpose of the
action)
• Some verbs are followed by infinitives (e.g., want, need, plan), while others are followed
by gerunds.
Verbs Followed by Both
• Some verbs can be followed by both gerunds and infinitives, but the
meaning may change.
⚬ Example: "I like to swim." (I enjoy the activity of swimming.)
⚬ Example: "I like swimming." (I enjoy the general concept of
swimming.)
• Some verbs require a change in meaning depending on whether a
gerund or an infinitive is used.
⚬ Example: "Remember to call me." (An instruction to remember the
future action of calling.)
⚬ Example: "I remember calling her." (Recalling a past action of
calling.)
Rules
The rules for using gerunds and infinitives involve understanding which verbs are
typically followed by each form and how the meaning of the sentence can change based
on the choice of gerund or infinitive.
1. Gerunds (Verb + -ing):
• Used as a subject:
⚬ Example: "Swimming is good exercise."
• Used as an object of a verb:
⚬ Example: "I enjoy reading books."
• Used as an object of a preposition:
⚬ Example: "She is good at singing."
• Verbs commonly followed by gerunds:
⚬ enjoy, like, dislike, love, hate, prefer, practice, finish, start, suggest, recommend,
avoid, consider, mind, etc.
2. Infinitives (to + base form of the verb):
• Used as the subject of a sentence:
⚬ Example: "To succeed requires hard work."
• Used as the object of a verb:
⚬ Example: "I want to learn."
• Used as the object of a preposition:
⚬ Example: "She went to the store to buy groceries."
• Verbs commonly followed by infinitives:
⚬ want, need, plan, decide, hope, like, love, hate, prefer, promise, agree, refuse,
learn, etc.
3. Verbs Followed by Both Gerunds and Infinitives:
• With a change in meaning:
⚬ Example: "I like to swim." (Enjoys the activity of swimming.)
⚬ Example: "I like swimming." (Enjoys the general concept of swimming.)
• Common verbs followed by both with different meanings:
⚬ remember, forget, regret, try, stop, mean, start, continue, like, love, hate, prefer,
etc.
4. Verbs Followed by Gerunds Only:
• Verbs that indicate continuous or ongoing actions:
⚬ Example: "I enjoy swimming in the ocean."
• Verbs that convey a sense of completion:
⚬ Example: "She finished studying for the exam."
5. Verbs Followed by Infinitives Only:
• Verbs that express intention or purpose:
⚬ Example: "I plan to visit my grandparents."
• Verbs that express desire or necessity:
⚬ Example: "I need to finish this project."
6. Gerunds as Nouns:
• Gerunds can be used as the subject or object of a sentence when a noun form is
needed:
⚬ Example: "Reading is my favorite hobby."
⚬ Example: "I appreciate your helping me."
7. Infinitives as Nouns:
• Infinitives can be used as the subject or object of a sentence when a noun form is
needed:
⚬ Example: "To travel is my dream."
⚬ Example: "I have a desire to succeed."

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Gerunds and

A verb can be followed by another verb. The second one

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