GERUNDS AND INFINITIVESERCILIA DELANCER

ENGLISH LANGUAGE FELLOW

BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN

GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

Gerunds are nouns made from verbs.1. Gerunds act like nouns and

therefore:2. Can be the subject of a sentence:

Living well is the best revenge.3. Can be the object of a verb: I like

boxing.

GERUNDS 4. Can be objects of prepositions such as with,

on, in, over, to, up, etc.She insisted on paying for dinner. I thank you for coming.5. Can be used with possessive adjectives: I appreciate your agreeing with me on this

matter.6. Can be used as a subject compliment: I feel like dying.

GERUNDS ARE USED WHEN:

1. The emphasis is on the event and not the action.

I like boxing. (I might not box, but enjoy watching other people doing it).

2. The event is already accomplished, is ongoing or have been proposed. I suggested going to the museum.

INFINITIVES ARE THE TO + THE BASE FORM OF A VERB.

Infinitives perform the same function as nouns.1. They act as subjects:To be or not to be: that is the

question.2. They act as objects:I want to travel to France.3. They act as subject complimentA student’s goal is to pass the class.

INFINITIVES ARE USED WHEN:

1. The emphasis in on the action:I like to box. (I do it myself.)2. The action is future-oriented:I’m going to marry her.3. It involves a commitment verb

(decide, offer, persuade, tell, etc.)I told them to leave.He ordered us to get out.

GERUNDS ARE:

1. More like nouns.2. Possessive modifier possible.3. Specified agent (doer) less likely.Meanings:EventsMore proposition-likePerformer not assumedMore definiteActually happens

INFINITIVES ARE:Features:More verb-likeNo possessive modifierSpecified agent likelyMeaning:More performance likePerformer assumedLess definitePossibly happens

SPECIAL CASES: STOP, REMEMBER, FORGET

He stopped to buy the paper.He stopped buying the paper.He remembers paying the bill.He remembers to pay the bill.He forgot to take his medicine.He forgot taking his medicine.