GERUND (-ing) or INFINITIVE (to) - When & How to Use them! (+ Free PDF & Quiz)

Summary

In this lesson, Lucy explains the difference between gerunds and infinitives, two important grammatical concepts in English. She covers their basic forms, usage as subjects or objects in sentences, and provides examples to clarify their application. Gerunds are verbs ending in '-ing' that act as nouns, while infinitives are the base form of verbs preceded by 'to.' Lucy also discusses which verbs are followed by gerunds, infinitives, or both. Throughout the lesson, she provides helpful tips and practical examples, encouraging viewers to download the accompanying PDF for more exercises and to explore further English learning resources.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gerunds are verbs ending in -ing that act as nouns, like 'walking' in 'Walking always puts me in a good mood.'
• 😀 Infinitives are the base form of verbs preceded by 'to,' such as 'to walk.'
• 😀 A gerund functions as a subject or object of a sentence, whereas an infinitive can also serve as a subject but sounds more formal.
• 😀 Some verbs allow both gerunds and infinitives, such as 'enjoy' (I enjoy walking) and 'prefer' (I prefer eating).
• 😀 Certain verbs only allow gerunds, such as 'enjoy,' 'consider,' and 'suggest,' e.g., 'She enjoys swimming.'
• 😀 Some verbs only allow infinitives, like 'agree,' 'decide,' and 'want,' e.g., 'He wants to eat pizza.'
• 😀 Gerunds can be used after prepositions (e.g., 'by getting up early'), and this helps form noun phrases.
• 😀 When the first action leads to a second action, use an infinitive, like 'He wants to eat pizza.'
• 😀 When two actions happen at the same time, use a gerund, like 'He likes eating pizza for dinner.'
• 😀 Using an infinitive as the subject of a sentence can sound formal or old-fashioned, such as 'To sing gives me great pleasure.'

Q & A

What is the main topic of the lesson?

The main topic of the lesson is understanding and correctly using gerunds and infinitives in English grammar.

What is a gerund?

A gerund is a verb that ends in -ing and acts as a noun in a sentence. For example, 'walking' in 'Walking always puts me in a good mood.'

What is the difference between a gerund and a present participle?

A gerund acts as a noun, while a present participle is used in continuous tenses and acts as part of the verb phrase. For example, 'I am eating' uses 'eating' as a present participle, while 'Jenny enjoys walking' uses 'walking' as a gerund.

What is an infinitive?

An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by 'to.' For example, 'to walk' or 'to eat.'

When is it common to use infinitives as the subject of a sentence?

Infinitives are commonly used as the subject of a sentence in formal contexts or when giving instructions, quoting someone, or providing a dictionary definition.

Can both gerunds and infinitives be used as the objects of sentences?

Yes, both gerunds and infinitives can be used as objects of sentences, though some verbs allow either, while others require one or the other specifically.

Give an example of a verb that allows both a gerund and an infinitive after it.

The verb 'prefer' allows both forms: 'I prefer eating at home' (gerund) and 'I prefer to eat at home' (infinitive).

What are some verbs that only allow gerunds after them?

Some verbs that only allow gerunds include 'consider,' 'deny,' 'enjoy,' 'imagine,' and 'suggest.' For example, 'He considered moving to Spain last year.'

How are gerunds used after prepositions?

Gerunds are often used after prepositions. For example, 'before completing university,' 'by getting up early,' or 'after recovering from his injury.'

What is the rule for choosing between gerunds and infinitives based on action sequence?

If the first action leads to a second action, we use an infinitive. If both actions happen simultaneously, we use a gerund. For example, 'He wants to eat pizza' (infinitive) vs. 'He likes eating pizza' (gerund).