Gerunds and Infinitives

Gerunds and Infinitives

What is a Gerund?

A gerund is a noun made from a verb. To make a gerund, you add "-ing" to the verb.

For example:

In the sentence "Iswimevery day", the word "swim" is a verb.

In the sentence "I likeswimming", the word "swimming" is a noun.

Therefore, "swimming" is agerund.

Second example:

In the sentence "Shereadsseveral books a week", the word "read" is a verb.

In the sentence "Readingis important", the word "reading" is a noun.

Therefore, "reading" is agerund.

More examples of gerunds:buying, fishing, running, watching, telling, and so forth.

The word "gerund" actually comes from the Latin wordgerere, which means "do".

You could say this actually makes sense: the gerund describes anaction, something youdo.

Gerunds are often used when actions arerealorcompleted.

Examples:(Note how the main underlined verb relates to real or completed actions.)

Shestoppedsmoking.

Ifinisheddoingmy homework.

Theykeep onfighting.

Yourecommendedwaitinguntil tomorrow.

Herecalledfalling asleepon the couch.

Shepracticesplayingthose drums all the time.

Johnfinishedfixingthe car.

The jobinvolvesdealingwith animals.

Brianmentionedstaying uplate.

Theysuggestednotkeepingthe luggage.

What is an Infinitive?

An infinitive is the basic form of the verb + "to".

Examples:to buy,to fish,to run,to watch,to tell,and so forth.

Example Sentences:

"I wantto swim."

"They asked usto leave."

"To be, or notto be that is the question."

"The goal isto win."

The word "infinitive" comes form the Latin wordinfinitus, fromin-(not) andfinitus(finished, limited).

You could say this actually makes sense: the infinitive describes an action, but unlike a regular verb, it isnot limitedin any way.

The regular verb is limited to the tense and subject. For example, in the sentence "Diana danced" the action is limited to Diana and to the past.

However, the infinitive is unlimited. In the sentence "To dance is easy", the action is not limited to any subject or to any time.

Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, general, or future.

Examples:(Note how the main underlined verb relates tounreal, general, or future actions.)

Kateagreedto come.

Ihopeto seeyou soon.

Weplanto finishthis shortly.

Theydecidedto returnhome.

Shepromisedto stopsmoking.

Weagreedneverto talkabout it again.

Heofferedto sellthe house.

Irefuseto pay!

Youseemto bedisappointed.

Sheaskedhim notto leave.

Iwantto drink.

Theyneedto get upearly.

Gerunds and Infinitives Exercise 01

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1. He is determined(win) that race.2. He lay in bed(plan) the days to come.3. We went(run) in the morning.4. Her fear of spiders made(travel) difficult.5. They don't mind(wait) outside.6. The problem is(get) there on time.7. I am accustomed to(take care) of myself.8. I want him(paint) the wall.9.(be), or(not be), that is the question.10. This guy is known for(break) the rules.11. Sue enjoys(dance).12. The advantages of(go) by train were clearly visible.13. Your advice(plan) ahead was excellent.14. Your addiction to(drink) will not serve you well.15. I am pleased(meet) you.

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Gerunds and Infinitives Exercise 02

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1. The government encourages(recycle).2. She is tired of(wash) dishes every night.3. He understood her(leave) so soon.4. He went(fish) with his father.5. He wants(take) the test.6. Kelly offered(take) us home.7. Her reaction to(win) the Oscar was a bit odd.8. They want(play) with us.9. I advised(start) the game.10. Your support enabled us(finish) on time.11. He denied(take) the car.12. Russell was discouraged by(not win) that match.13. I promised you(take care) of Jonathan.14. His decision(quit) was very surprising.15. David is starting(work) there next week.

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Gerunds and Infinitives Exercise 03

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1. I am tryingthe process of billing (bill).2. I am very surprised(see) how nice she really is.3. They plan(serve) hot dogs at the party.4. They are eager(start).5. He was proud(receive) such good reviews.6. You seem(be) disappointed.7. They stopped(fight).8. How much is she prepared(pay)?9. Jane chose(stay) at home.10. Jane keeps(forget) her keys.11. I heard her story about(run away) from the police.12. I got Tailor(fix) the dish washer.13. They would like(chat) for a while.14. She told you(shut up).15. We are beginning(see) the effects.

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Gerunds and Infinitives Exercise 04

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1. My reasons for(accept) the position are well known.2. My parents don't allow my sister(eat) much candy.3. The frozen lake is likely(melt) soon.4. We enjoy(watch) movies.5. The opportunity(see) Rome excited her.6. We hope(be) ready soon.7. This teacher doesn't permit students(speak) in class.8. The doctor advised(rest) a couple of days.9. We don't permit(park) outside.10. They are addicted to(drink) Coke.11. Laura keeps(repeat) the same sentence.12. I need(talk) with my wife about it.13. She asked(sit down).14. She doesn't have enough time(have) two jobs.15. She gets full credit for(rehabilitate) the neighborhood.

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Gerunds and Infinitives Final Test

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1. You anticipated(sell) that house.2. We are always happy(help).3. We are dedicated to(change) how things work.4. We are going(bowl) tomorrow night.5. We are really excited about(climb) that mountain.6. They are going(camp) next week.7. The beep sound reminded me(turn off) the washing machine.8. The teacher doesn't permit(speak) in class.9. We waited(see) the doctor.10. We are very happy about you(get) a new job.11. He forgot(turn off) the toaster, and the whole house burned down.12. He promised(finish) his chores.13. I need(talk) with you.14. I advised her(have) some soup.15. He is responsible for(paint) all the buildings.16. He leaned against the wall(smile) at her.17. They avoid(visit) us.18. Ashley recalled(not lock) the door.19. I didn't have any problems(find) a replacement.20. They decided(cook) some rice.21. I urge you(start).22. The officer ordered him(stop).23. You mentioned(take) a break.24. Their goal(bring) peace gave hope to everyone.25. I am good enough(pass) the audition.26. He started(shout) at his friends.27. I am shocked(see) these two together.28. He decided(not run) for president.29. They kept(talk).30. I am sorry(say) this, but I won't go.31. Jack completed(fix) the car.32. It was difficult(obtain) his permission.33. I appreciate you(help) me.34. They are beginning(sing).35. My memories of(travel) are well recorded in my albums.36. They would like us(show) them our products.37. I dreaded(take) that trip.38. I don't mind(go) with you.39. He claimed(be) a Romeo.40. She can't help(be) so charming.

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Verbs FollowedOnly by Gerunds

admitHe admitted stealing the ring.

anticipateWe didn't anticipate winning this match.

appreciateI really appreciate you coming.

avoidLet's avoid being late.

can't helpI can't help counting those calories.

completeHe completed baking the apple pie.

considerShe never considered moving to England.

delayWe delayed moving to the new house until the spring.

denyHe will deny stealing that car.

despiseShe despises asking for favors.

discussWe discussed buying a bigger apartment.

dislikeShe dislikes cooking and baking.

don't mindI don't mind waiting.

enjoyShe enjoys reading.

forgiveCan you forgive me for not fixing the car?

imagineCan you imagine living on the moon?

involveThe new project involves writing and rewriting many reports.

keepShe keeps coming late!

mentionI never mentioned meeting him.

mindWill he mind switching rooms?

missI miss chatting with you.

postponeLet's postpone going out of town.

practiceHe practices playing the guitar daily.

recallCan you recall ordering this product?

recommendThe doctor recommends resting in bed.

reportThey reported seeing him leave with a stranger.

resentHe resents doing it all by himself.

resistI can't resist liking him.

resumeThey resumed talking after the teacher left.

riskWould you risk losing everything?

suggestI suggest not taking him too seriously.

tolerateWe can't tolerate being screamed at.

understandHe couldn't understand her leaving so suddenly.

Verbs FollowedOnly by Infinitives

agreeThey agreed to give him a try.

appearHe appeared to know everything.

arrangeI have arranged to meet him on Monday.

askShe asked to see her doctor.

careHe doesn't care to answer

chooseWe chose to ignore it.

claimHe claims to be an expert.

decideShe decided not to go to the party.

demandI demand to see the person in charge!

deserveHe deserves to win the contest.

expectHe expected to be home sooner.

failThey failed to follow the instructions.

getIt's not fair that she gets to see him before the others.

happenI happened to pass by, so we had a chat.

hesitateDon't hesitate to call.

hopeI hope to see you soon.

intendShe didn't intend to hurt you.

know howHe knows how to to run a business.

learnHe learned to speak Spanish very quickly.

manageWe managed to finish everything on time.

offerHe offered to go for a walk.

planYou planned to meet us here.

prepareWe were preparing to leave when the phone rang.

pretendHe pretended not to hear a word.

promiseShe promised to take us with her next time.

refuseI refuse to cooperate.

seemIt seems to be broken.

swearHe swore to revenge.

tendThese plants tend to grow slowly.

threatenHe has threatened to hurt us.

undertakeShe undertook to design the new collection.

waitThe runners were waiting to start.

wantI want to speak with you in private.

wishI wish to change my address.

wouldlikeI would like to add something before we continue.

yearnShe yearns to go free._1458935814.unknown

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