GERUNDS & INFINITIVES | WINNING is everything? OR TO WIN is everything?

Summary

In this lesson, Arnel explains the difference between gerunds and infinitives, using a Venn diagram to illustrate their overlapping uses in sentences. The video covers key rules for when to use gerunds (verb + ing) versus infinitives (to + base verb), and explores their roles as subjects or after certain verbs. Arnel also provides five grammar lists to help learners understand when to use gerunds or infinitives with specific verbs. Through examples and comparisons, the lesson offers a clear, practical guide to mastering gerunds and infinitives in English.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gerunds function as nouns and are formed by adding 'ing' to a base verb (e.g., eating, playing).
• 😀 Infinitives are formed by adding 'to' before the base verb (e.g., to eat, to play), and they can also appear without 'to' in certain cases (bare infinitives).
• 😀 Gerunds and infinitives can both act as sentence subjects, but gerunds are more commonly used for this purpose.
• 😀 Infinitives are often used to express purpose or give instructions (e.g., to make slime, to win the race).
• 😀 A gerund is used after verbs like 'avoid' or 'involve' (e.g., avoid smoking, involve studying).
• 😀 Infinitives follow verbs like 'manage' and 'refuse' (e.g., manage to finish, refuse to comply).
• 😀 Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or infinitive without changing the meaning (e.g., can't stand, start).
• 😀 The verb 'remember' changes its meaning depending on whether it's followed by a gerund (memory of the past) or infinitive (intent to do something).
• 😀 'Try' plus gerund suggests experimenting to solve a problem (e.g., try meditating), while 'try' plus infinitive indicates an attempt to do something difficult (e.g., try to finish the task).
• 😀 'Stop' plus gerund means to cease an activity entirely (e.g., stop eating), while 'stop' plus infinitive indicates pausing one activity to do something else (e.g., stop to rest).

Q & A

What is the difference between a gerund and an infinitive?

A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun, while an infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by 'to' (e.g., 'to eat').

Can gerunds and infinitives both function as subjects in a sentence?

Yes, both gerunds and infinitives can function as the subject of a sentence. For example, '**Cleaning** is hard work' (gerund) and '**To win** is his goal' (infinitive).

When should you use a gerund as a subject?

A gerund is used as a subject when the verb represents an action or concept being discussed in general, like in '**Walking** to work every day is healthy.'

What is the main use of the infinitive form in English?

The infinitive is often used to express purpose or to show goals, as in 'I went to the store **to buy** bread.'

When is an infinitive used to show purpose?

An infinitive is used to show purpose with phrases like 'in order to' or simply 'to' (e.g., 'She wears glasses **to see** better').

Can the infinitive be used in a sentence like 'To be or not to be, that is the question'?

Yes, infinitives can be used in abstract or poetic contexts, like in the famous line 'To be or not to be, that is the question.'

What is the difference between 'to vote' and 'voting' in a sentence?

While both 'to vote' (infinitive) and 'voting' (gerund) can function as the subject, 'to vote' conveys an abstract, goal-oriented idea, while 'voting' is more common and natural in everyday use.

What happens when you use an infinitive with the verb 'manage'?

When 'manage' is used, it is always followed by an infinitive. For example, 'She managed **to finish** the project on time.'

What are some verbs that are always followed by a gerund?

Some verbs that are always followed by a gerund include 'avoid', 'enjoy', and 'consider'. For example, 'I enjoy **reading** books.'

How can you tell if a verb is followed by a gerund or an infinitive?

The verb itself determines the following form. For example, verbs like 'want' and 'need' are followed by an infinitive, while verbs like 'avoid' and 'enjoy' are followed by a gerund. You can learn these patterns through practice and memorization.