Infinitive or Gerund?

Infinitive or Gerund?

A gerund is the -ing form of a verb. It is

used as a noun.

I enjoy playing at the park.

I enjoy playing at the park.

Playing is a gerund. It is used as the object of the

verb enjoy.

Often we use the gerund for an action that happens before or at the same time as the action of the main verb.

Verb + Gerund

I enjoy playing at the park.

I enjoy myself at the time of playing.

 I denied stealing

 I deny having stolen anything before.

common verbs followed by gerunds

• verbs that express like/dislike

• enjoy, stop, consider, etc.

• prepositions: before, after, keep on, good at, etc.

• some expressions: I don't mind, I can't help, There's no point in ..., etc.

AN INFINTIVE= to + the simple form of a verb.

I decided to visit my uncle.

I decided to visit my uncle.

Some verbs are followed by an infinitive.

Often we use the infinitive for actions that follow the action of the main verb.

verb + infinitive

I decided to visit my uncle.

Visiting my uncle was an action of my decision. It comes after.

 I want to go out.

what I want (now) is to go out (after/later).

common verbs followed by infinitives

• verbs that generally refer to a future event. (expect, intend, offer, etc)

• after adjectives (glad, disappointed, determined, etc.)

• after "too" and "enough"

These rules are helpful but DO NOT always explain all uses of gerunds and infinitives.

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