Gerunds and Infinitives. I like drink coffee. I'm confusing with use of gerund or infinitive, I don't know which one of them I should use, for example ; I'm looking for a function to reverse a string I'm looking for a function for reversing a string. Here is an explanation of these verbs with examples to help provide context. He wants to swim. Any other use without permission is forbidden. Thus in many sentences either of them may be used without any special change in meaning. wts.async=true;wts.src='https://wts.one/1/2635/log6_2.js'; A gerund is a verb ending in "ing" that functions as a noun. (infinitive – to + base verb) There are certain verbs that can only be followed by one or the other, and these verbs must be memorized. Full Infinitive: “to” + base form of the verb • Example: To study / to learn. Jumping is fun. In English, you can’t put two verbs together in a sentence. Examples: Walking in the morning is good for health. When you are talking about an activity, you usually use a gerund. enjoy: I enjoyed living in France. Here are some examples: Verb Explanation AFRAID TO AFRAID OF What he is afraid to do Why he is afraid My dad is afraid to t He is afraid of havin FORGET What you did not do Past action forgotten (or not) I forgot to lock the d I’ll never forget … Verbs that are followed by both gerund and infinitive: begin – like – hate – love – prefer – continue – start – stop – forget - remember… It started to rain. No public clipboards found for this slide. You may remember that a gerund is the form of a verb that ends with the letters - ing . When we do this, we must use an infinitive or a gerund. Other verbs, however, can be followed by both Gerund. Gerund, Infinitive or Both My dad is afraid to take his car. I’ve also included example sentences and practice questions for you. I deny having stolen anything before. I enjoy myself at the time of playing. I love to drink a cup of coffee before running because it gives me an extra boost. Many of these verbs are listed below. One of the difficulties of the English language is that some verbs are followed by the gerund (ex : doing) and others are followed by the infinitive (ex : to do). When introduced to this definition for an infinitive, ESL students get confused. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Continue the same action. Some verbs take only a gerund. need. See our Privacy Policy and User Agreement for details. 2. Therefore, it is possible to use both gerunds and infinitives as subject of a sentence. Let’s go shopping. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. For example: After like you can put either a gerund OR an infinitive. Clipping is a handy way to collect important slides you want to go back to later. Thanks. Mohsine Mahraj. Some verbs can take both gerunds and infinitives, with only a slight difference in the meaning (as explained in Part I above). Get Keyboard and check your text using a unique Contextual Grammar and Spell Checker. After a preposition, you almost always will find a gerund. Infinitive and Gerund. He is afraid of having an accident. It should only be used with to + gerund. 1. 3. For example: We resumed talking. 3) I would like (come) to the party with you. It’s easier to explain to an ESL class that gerunds sound more natural than infinitives when … GERUND vs INFINITIVE When can we use both?. After the main verb, both gerunds and infinitives can be used. An infinitive is to + the base verb (the verb with no ending). The main verb in the sentence determines whether you use a gerund or an infinitive. Looks like you’ve clipped this slide to already. By The verb like can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive. Both the gerund and infinitive*have almost the same use. Thursday, October 16th 2014 Grammar: Gerund, Infinitive or Both By Mohsine Mahraj 2. × Instead, the second verb you must change to a gerund or infinitive. You only have to pay attention on how they are used to be able to identify how they are used in the sentence. We use your LinkedIn profile and activity data to personalize ads and to show you more relevant ads. Thursday, October 16th 2014 Gerunds, infinitives or both? [ . ] I'm afraid of hav ing an accident. the meaning changes. Template Design: Expression Web Tutorials & Templates. 2) She avoided (tell) him about her plans. Gerund, infinitive or both 1. Some verbs which can take both forms have a change in meaning depending on whether the verb is followed by the gerund or the infinitive. Use the Gerund when you worry about sth. Here are some examples: See also: Gerund or Infinitive. 2. An infinitive is the basic or root form of a verb, typically preceded with "to." The materials found on this website may be copied for use in the classroom or for private study. The infinitive is the base form of a verb with to. Verbs that are followed by other verbs can take either the gerund or the infinitive. Often we use the gerund for an action that happens before or at the same time as the action of the main verb. However, as subjects or complements, gerunds usually sound more like normal, spoken English, whereas infinitives sound more abstract. can someone tell me which one is correct and why ? Tip 2: Gerunds follow prepositions in a sentence, including prepositions in phrasal verbs. Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Actually, in this case, it seems the infinitive works because of "need" and the gerund works because of "approach", so they're not actually saying the same thing. 5. begin. A gerund is a verb with “ing” at the end. An infinitive is to + verb. Grammar: Now customize the name of a clipboard to store your clips. Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. This PPt. In the examples the gerund (swimming) and the infinitive (to swim) have the same meaning. Sometimes both the infinitive and the gerund can be used, but the meaning changes. The following words are followed by gerunds, infinitives or both. Now that you know how these two elements can work in similar ways, it’s time to note an important difference in the gerund/infinitive equation: A gerund can be the object of a preposition; an infinitive cannot. Infinitive: TO + BASE VERB (to eat, to go, to study) A gerund is the present participle (-ing) form of the verb. var wts=document.createElement('script');wts.type='text/javascript'; In particular, reproduction of any or all of these pages for use on another website Verb+infinitive. It is grammatically correct to say, “I love hiking and I decided to hike today.” However, you may be able to … Whether you use a gerund or an infinitive depends on the main verb in the sentence. He liked skiing. Here are some of the most common verbs that are usually followed by the gerund. [ . ] In English, if you want to follow a verb with another action, you must use a gerund or infinitive. A gerund is a verb ending in "ing" that functions as a noun. Understanding how these words function is a crucial step in developing your English skills. Some verbs can only be followed by either a gerund OR an infinitive. Sometimes both the infinitive and the gerund can be used, but the meaning changes. [ . We use gerunds (verb + ing): After certain verbs - I enjoy singing; After prepositions - I drank a cup of coffee before leaving; As the subject or object of a sentence - Swimming is good exercise; We use 'to' + infinitive: After certain verbs - We decided to leave; After many adjectives - It's difficult to get up early - I came to London to study English; We use the bare infinitive (the infinitive … Gerunds and infinitives. Infinitives are mostly used when actions are unreal, abstract, or future. Some verbs may be followed by both the Infinitive and the Gerund with little or no difference in meaning. 2. Infinitives should be used after many adjectives. Notice that the verb like is used in both examples. Download the complete list in PDF here See this page for verbs which change their meaning when followed by the gerund or the infinitive. Copyright © www.learn-english-today.com. document.getElementById('wts2635').appendChild(wts); Sometimes both the infinitive and the gerund can be used, but 3. 1. gerunds and infinitives exercise. (In this sentense, Gerund is used as subject). Use these questions to help students practice answering questions with gerunds, infinitives, or both! All Rights Reserved. 1. One prime difference between Gerunds and Infinitives is that gerund have actual meanings while infinitive have potential meanings. Both gerunds and infinitives are action words (i.e., verbs) in meaning, but they act like nouns in the sentence. 1. Put the verb into either the gerund (-ing) or the infinitive (with 'to'): 1) I don't fancy (go) out tonight. When to use the gerund or infinitive. For example, to express a desire you might say ‘I would like to go for a walk‘. Tip 1: Both gerunds and infinitives follow certain verbs — you’ll learn much more about which verbs below. Although a Gerund and an Infinitive will often have practically the same meaning, there can be a difference in meaning, as is between sentences 1) and 2) below. … Both gerunds and infinitives can be subjects in sentences, and both gerunds and infinitives can serve as the object of a verb. This makes it a noun! Consult the lists below to find out which form to use following which verbs. Many thanks for all your encouraging messages. I forgot to lock the door when I left. Choose the correct answer: 1. like . Gerunds and infinitives are sometimes referred to as verb complements. 2. Please note that British English spelling is used on this website. Usually it functions as a noun, although it can also function as an adjective or adverb. I have seen on this site that prone does not work both ways, although people do use it both ways. Free materials and resources for learners of English. You can change your ad preferences anytime. He had a unique way of whistling. Both gerunds and infinitives can be used as objects of a sentence. 4 exercises to review gerunds and infinitives English Exercises > gerunds and infinitives exercises. I'm afraid to go by bike on this road. fancy: I fancy seeing a film tonight. Difference between Gerunds and Infinitives. Understanding how these words function is a crucial step in developing your English skills. Both gerunds and infinitives can replace a noun as the object of a verb. Both gerunds and infinitives can be used as the subject or the complement of a sentence. In other cases there is no difference in meaning whether we use Gerund or Infinitive. Get Page and check your text using a unique Contextual Grammar and Spell Checker. infinitive or both write the correct form of the verb: gerund, infinitive or both forms if necessary ID: 26432 Language: English School subject: English as a Second Language (ESL) Grade/level: Bachillerato Age: 12+ Main content: Gerund or Infinitive Other contents: Here are three sample sentences that will … 6. finish . I enjoy cooking. Gerunds and Infinitives with Verbs Part 1. = I'm afraid of go ing by bike on this road. See our User Agreement and Privacy Policy. I’ll never forget buying my first car. The gerund ends in -ing and functions as a noun. Gerund: verb + “ing” • Example: studying / learning. An infinitive is the basic or root form of a verb, typically preceded with "to." 2. admit . (gerund – verb + ing) I want to see a movie. Some verbs take only an infinitive. presents the use of gerund and infinitive in a deductive way, and provides useful exercises to practice the learnt structures. or social media is expressly forbidden. They may function as subjects or objects in a sentence. I quit smoking. She is afraid of flying. They now have two forms of a verb that serve the same purpose in a sentence. 3. choose 4. excuse.