Gerunds & Infinitives

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1. What is a gerund?

2. When to use a gerund?

3. What is an infinitive?

4. When to use an infini​tive?

Overview:

Read the following sentences:

1. Sailing around the world is​ an adventure.

2. Reading is my favourite hobby.

3. ​He prefers running over going to the gym.

A gerund is a form of a verb that ends in -ing, and used as a noun.

As you may know, a verb is a word that refers to actions or states of being, and a noun is a word that we use to refer to people, places, things, and ideas.

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A gerund is like a blend of verbs and nouns. It looks like a verb, but it acts like a noun.

What is a gerund?

​STRUCTURE OF GERUND:

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VERB + ING​

Gerunds may be used as:

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1. ​A SUBJECT OF A SENTENCE.

​ For example, Walking is good for your health.

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2. ​AS AN OBJECT OF A SENTENCE.

   For example, I enjoy drawing.

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3. AFTER PREPOSITIONS (excluding but)

For example, I am wary of going alone.

My mom is scared of flying.

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Now, read these sentences:

1. Yesterday, I decided to draw.

2. I love to read before I sleep.

3. ​They agreed to go to the party.

An infinitive is a form of a verb that has to in the beginning. It is the simplest verb form that you have to modify to fit into sentences.

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An infinitive is a verb form that acts as other parts of speech in a sentence.

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What is an infinitive?

​STRUCTURE OF INFINITIVE VERBS:

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TO + VERB

Infinitives can be used as:

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1. AN OBJECT FOLLOWING THE VERB:

   For example, Jim always forgets to eat.

2. AN ADVERB

For example, You promised to buy me an apple.

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3. AN ADJECTIVE:

   For example, Tara has the ability to succeed.

4. AFTER SOME VERBS

   For example, Do you want to call your family

   now?

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LET'S DO A FUN QUIZ ON GERUNDS & INFINITIVES!

Multiple Choice

_____ is my dad’s favorite free time activity.

• cooking
• to cook

Multiple Choice

It started raining, but he continued _____on the beach.

• to ride

• riding

• to ride / riding

Multiple Choice

He likes _____ to jazz and rock music.

• listening
• to listen
• to listen/listening

Multiple Choice

Did you remember ____ milk from the supermarket?

• getting
• to get

Multiple Choice

How good are you at            ?

• dancing
• to dance

Multiple Choice

She tried _____the puzzle, but it was too hard.

• solving
• to solve

Multiple Choice

It’s easy _____to my house.

• getting
• to get

Multiple Choice

_____ puzzles is a challenging task for him.

• solving
• to solve

Multiple Choice

We prefer _____ at home on the weekend.

• staying
• to stay

Multiple Choice

They keep in shape by___ every day.

• exercising
• to exercise

Multiple Choice

We called _____ him the good news.

• telling
• to tell

Multiple Choice

The children pretended _____ pirates.

• being
• to be