GERUNDS and INFINITIVIES
A
Gerunds : The-ing form a verb ( example :
talking,playing,understanding ).
An
Infinitive : to+the simple form of a verb ( example :
to talk, to play, to understand ).
Gerunds may perform all the function that nouns do. A
gerunds is the-ing form of a verb that can be used as a naoun. A gerund can
function as a subject as well as an object.
Examples
:
1.
Playing tennis
is fun
S v
In
this example, playing is a
gerund. It is used as the subject of the sentence. Playing tennis is a gerund phrase.
2.
We
enjoy playing tennis
S v o
In
this example, playing is used
as the object of the verb enjoy.
3. He’s
excited about playing tennis
Prep O
In this example, playing is used as the object
of the preposition.
1) Using gerunds as the object of
prepositions
A
gerund is frequently used as the object of the preposition.
1.
We talked about going to Canada for our vacation.
2.
Sue is in charge of organizing the meeting.
3.
I’m interested in learning more about your work.
In
the following examples ( 4 to 7 ) to is a preposition, not part of an
infinitive form, so agerund follows.
4.
I’m used to sleeping with the window open.
5.
I’m accustomed to sleeping with the window open
6.
Look forward to going home next month.
7.
They object to changing their plans at this late date.
Negative form
of a gerund : not precedes a gerund.
8.
We talked about not going to the
meeting, but finally decided we should go.
EXERCISE :
Supply
an appropriate preposition and verb form.
1.
Alice is’nt interested…………………..( look
)………………………for a new job.
2.
You are capable……………………………( do )……………………better work.
3.
Mrs.grant insisted…………………………( know
)…………………..the whola truth.
4.
You should take advantage………………………..(
live )………………………here.
2) Common verbs followed by gerunds
Examples
:
1.
I enjoy
playing tennis
Verb gerund
Gerund
are used as the object of certain verbs. In this examples, enjoy is followed by
a gerund (playing). Enjoy is not followed by an infinitive
The
most common incorrect form is : I enjoy to play tennis.
2.
Joe quit
smoking
3.
Joe gave
up smoking
The
above examples ( number 2 & 3 ) have the same meaning. The verbs ”quit” and
the two-word verbs “give up “ should be followed by gerunds. the following is a
list mentioning about verbs that should be used with gerunds.
Enjoy appreciate
Quit
( give up ) finish
( get through )
Avoid postpone (
put off )
Keep
( keep on ) consider
( think about )
Suggest
discuss
( talk about )
Mind stop
Delay mention
3) Common verbs followed by infinitives
Examples :
1.
I hope
to see you again soon
Verb infinitive
2.
He promised
to be here by ten
Verb infinitive
3.
He promised not be late
Some
verbs are followed immediately by an infinitive, as in (1) and (2). For the
negative form : not precedes the infinitive, as in (3). Below are verbs which
are followed by infinitive :
Hope
to intend
to
Promise
to offer to
Seem
to presend
to
Expect
to want to
Plan
to decide
to
Agree
to refase
to
Appear
to ask to
Would
like to need to
4.
Mr.lee told me to be have at ten o’clcok
Verb pronoun infinitive
5.
The police ordered the
driver to stop
Verb noun infinitive
Some verbs are
followed by a pro(noun) and then an infinitive,as in (4) and (5). Below are
verbs which are followed by pro(noun) then an infinitive :
Tell someone to advise
someone to
Invite someone to permit someone to
Allow someone to warn someone to
Ask someone to expect someone
to
Need someone to want someone to
6.
I was
told to be here at
ten o’clock
Verb
infinitive
7.
The driver was ordered to
stop
Verb infinitive
There verbs are
followed immediately by an infinitive when they are used in the passive, as in
(6) and (7).
4) Common verbs followed by either
infinitives or gerunds
The
following are verbs which are followed by infinitive or gerund ( with ) no
difference in morning.
Begin like hate
Start love can’t stand
Continue prefer can’t
bear
Examples :
1.
It began to rain/ it began raining
2.
I started to work/ I started
working
(
there is no difference between “ began to rain “ and “ began raining “ ).
