In this lesson, we will explore the use of gerunds and infinitives in English. These two grammatical structures are essential for expressing actions, habits, preferences, and more. Let’s dive in!
What Are Gerunds and Infinitives?
- A gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing and functions as a noun in a sentence.
- Example: Swimming is fun.
- An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by to (e.g., to swim, to eat, to study). It can also function as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
- Example: I want to swim.
When to Use Gerunds
Gerunds are used in the following situations:
1. As the Subject of a Sentence
- Example: Running keeps me healthy.
2. After Certain Verbs
Some verbs are followed by gerunds. Here are a few common ones:
| Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| enjoy | I enjoy reading books. |
| avoid | She avoids eating junk food. |
| consider | They are considering moving to another city. |
3. After Prepositions
- Example: He is interested in learning Spanish.
When to Use Infinitives
Infinitives are used in the following situations:
1. To Express Purpose
- Example: I went to the store to buy some milk.
2. After Certain Verbs
Some verbs are followed by infinitives. Here are a few common ones:
| Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| want | She wants to travel the world. |
| decide | He decided to start a new job. |
| hope | They hope to visit their grandparents soon. |
3. After Adjectives
- Example: It is important to stay healthy.
Verbs That Can Take Both Gerunds and Infinitives
Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning may change. Here are examples:
| Verb | Gerund Example | Infinitive Example |
|---|---|---|
| stop | She stopped smoking. | She stopped to smoke. |
| remember | I remember locking the door. | Remember to lock the door. |
| try | He tried cooking dinner. | He tried to cook dinner. |
Key Takeaways
- Gerunds are used as nouns and often follow prepositions and certain verbs.
- Infinitives express purpose and often follow adjectives and certain verbs.
- Some verbs can take both gerunds and infinitives, but the meaning may change.
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