Category: Grammar Expansion
Gerunds & Infinitives
Gerunds & Infinitives
Gerunds are verbs ending in -ing that function as nouns. Infinitives are verbs in their base form with "to" before them.
- Gerund: Swimming is fun. (Swimming = noun)
- Infinitive: I want to swim. (to swim)
Gerunds (Verb + -ing)
When to Use Gerunds
- As subject: Reading is my hobby.
- As object: I enjoy reading.
- After prepositions: I'm interested in learning.
Verbs Followed by Gerunds
| enjoy | I enjoy swimming. |
| finish | She finished working. |
| avoid | He avoids eating junk food. |
| keep | Keep trying! |
| mind | Do you mind waiting? |
| suggest | I suggest going early. |
| consider | She considered moving. |
| practice | Practice speaking English. |
| quit/stop | He quit smoking. |
| admit | He admitted stealing. |
Infinitives (to + verb)
When to Use Infinitives
- Express purpose: I came to help.
- After adjectives: It's easy to learn.
- After certain verbs: I want to go.
Verbs Followed by Infinitives
| want | I want to go. |
| need | You need to study. |
| decide | She decided to leave. |
| hope | I hope to see you. |
| plan | They plan to travel. |
| promise | He promised to call. |
| learn | She learned to drive. |
| agree | They agreed to help. |
| refuse | He refused to pay. |
| seem | It seems to work. |
Verbs That Take Both (With Different Meanings)
| Verb | Gerund | Infinitive |
|---|---|---|
| stop | stop smoking (quit) | stop to smoke (pause to do) |
| remember | remember doing (past action) | remember to do (future action) |
| forget | forget doing (past action) | forget to do (didn't do) |
| try | try doing (experiment) | try to do (make effort) |
Examples:
- I stopped smoking. (I quit)
- I stopped to smoke. (I paused to have a cigarette)
- I remember meeting him. (I met him and I remember)
- Remember to call me. (Don't forget to call)