N3 - Gerunds and Infinitives

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Infinitives vs. Gerunds
Level N3
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Introduction
Your teacher
My name is .
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In this class
If we build a sentence, we often like to use as few verbs as possible. It is often
possible to use just one, but what if we need to use more than one? That’s
what we will talk about today.
• What are gerunds?
• What are infinitives?
• When do we use which?
• Can it change the meaning?
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What are “Gerunds”?

The gerund we sometimes also call the ING-form and is best known for its use
in the “continuous form” (also known as the progressive form).
There are situations in which the gerund isn’t used as a verb, but as a noun:
• Playing soccer is a famous past-time in Peru.
• I think playing chess is difficult.
Another name for the “gerund” is the “present participle”. The term “ING-form”
is sometimes used in classes, but is not an official, grammatically correct term.
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What are “infinitives”?

The infinitive or the infinitive form of a verb is the most basic form in which we
know or identify that verb. For most verbs this is the same form as we use for
the simple present, the only real exception is “be”.
Most times when we use the infinitive in combination with the preposition “to”.
This leads to two different uses / names for this form:
• The “complete infinitive”: to + verb (to do / to have / to play);
• The “bare infinitives”: only the base form of the verb (work / can / sit)
Which one of these you have to use, depends on the sentence you are making.
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Guidelines for infinitives or gerunds

There are a lot of different “rules”, although some are not as strict as others. In
most cases the term “guideline” would be better sometimes.
Whether you use a gerund or an infinitive depends on the main verb in the
sentence:
• Gerunds can be used after certain verbs including enjoy, fancy, discuss,
dislike, finish, mind, suggest, recommend, keep, and avoid.
• Infinitives can be used after certain verbs including agree, ask, decide, help,
plan, hope, learn, want, would like, and promise.
Both forms can be used as subjects, objects or other elements of sentences, and
your experience will tell you much about that. Most of the time we will choose to
use gerunds.
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When to use gerunds

Gerunds should also be used in the following situation:
1. After prepositions of place and time.
– I made dinner before getting home.
– He looked unhappy after seeing his work schedule.
2. To replace the subject or object of a sentence
– Lachlan likes eating coconut oil.
– Jumping off a cliff is dangerous, but a real thrill.
Gerunds can often be modified with possessive forms. This makes it clearer who or
what is performing the action.
– I enjoyed their singing. They were singing.
– She understood his saying no to the offer. He said no.
Gerunds are often used when actions are real, fixed, or completed.
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When to use infinitives

Infinitives should also be used in the following situation:
1. After many adjectives:
– It is hard to make dinner this late.
– I find it difficult to describe my feelings about writing research essays.
2. To show purpose:
– I left for Russia to study Russian.
– I came to the office to solve the mystery of the missing keys.
Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, abstract, or future
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Sometimes there is a difference

Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or an infinitive without causing a change
in meaning:
– Some people prefer getting up early in the morning.
– Some people prefer to get up early in the morning
– Will you continue working after you give birth?
– Will you continue to work after you give birth?
Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or infinitive but with a change in meaning:
– He remembered sending the fax. (He remembered the act of send the fax)
– He remembered to send the fax. (He remembered the fax and sent it.)
– He stopped drinking coffee. (He never drank coffee again.)
– He stopped to drink coffee. (He stopped what he was doing and drank
some coffee.)
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In combination with “Like”

The verb like means: to find pleasant or attractive; enjoy."
It can be followed by an infinitive or a gerund:
– I like dancing.
– I like to be honest.
These two forms often have the same meaning, but sometimes there is a
difference.
– When we use like with an infinitive, it expresses habitual preference,
something that the speaker does not necessarily like or enjoy but
considers as useful, right or wise ( e.g. I like to see my doctor once a
year.)
– When like is used with the gerund form, the construction tends to mean
that we are actually doing the action (e.g. I like listening to music.)
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Exercise 1: Infinitive or Gerund

1. I often go (dance) ___ on a Saturday night.
2. When I finish (write) ___ this letter, I'll come and help you.
3. I am planning (buy) ___ a new laptop soon.
4. I need (sleep) ___ at least eight hours a night.
5. I want (move) ___ to London next year.
6. Would you consider (give) ___ the speech at our anniversary party?
7. She avoids (walk) ___ in the rain.
8. Emily promised (eat) ___ all her vegetables.
9. I don't mind (call) ___ them if you don't want to.
10. You need to practice (listen) ___.
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1. Alan can’t stand _________ on trains. (riding/ to ride)
2. Mr. Harris enjoys _________ people out to dinner. (inviting / to invite)
3. In the old days, gentlemen challenged their rivals _______. (fighting / to fight)
4. As the famous saying goes, there’s no use ______ over spilt milk. (crying / to cry)
5. Jim stopped _________ his shoelace. Wait for him. (tying / to tie)
6. My wife always volunteers ___________ cakes for PTA meetings. (baking / to bake)
7. Don’t waste my time ___________ about your salary. (complaining/ to complain)
8. Eva is having trouble _________ on the exam. (concentrating / to concentrate)
9. Please allow me ____________ your Facebook page. (joining / to join)
10. You won’t forget _________milk on your way home, will you? (picking up /to pick up)
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1. Dan enjoys (read) __________ science fiction.
2. Cheryl suggested (see) __________ a movie after work.
3. I miss (work) __________ in the travel industry. Maybe I can get my old job back.
4. Where did you learn (speak) __________ Spanish? Was it in Spain or in Latin
America?
5. Do you mind (help) __________ me translate this letter?
6. He asked (talk) __________ to the store manager.
7. You've never mentioned (live) __________ in Japan before. How long did you live
there?
8. If he keeps (come) __________ to work late, he's going to get fired!
9. Debbie plans (study) __________ abroad next year.
10. I agreed (help) __________ Jack wash his car.
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1. I hope (graduate) __________ from college next June.
2. The models practiced (walk) __________ with a book balanced on their heads.
3. Mandy has promised (take) __________ care of our dog while we are on vacation.
4. Mr. Edwards chose (accept) __________ the management position in Chicago
rather than the position in Miami.
5. I don't know what she wants (do) __________ tonight. Why don't you ask her?
6. Frank offered (help) __________ us paint the house.
7. Sandra decided (study) __________ economics in London.
8. Witnesses reported (see) __________ the bank robber as he was climbing out of
the second-story window.
9. Stephanie dislikes (work) __________ in front of a computer all day.
10. Mrs. Naidoo appears (be) __________ the most qualified person for the job.
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Answers
Exercise 1: Exercise 2: Exercise 3: Exercise 4:
1. dancing 11. riding 21. reading 31. to graduate
2. writing 12. inviting 22. seeing 32. walking
3. to buy 13. to fight 23. working 33. to take
4. to sleep 14. crying 24. to speak 34. to accept
5. to move 15. to tie 25. helping 35. to do
6. giving 16. to bake 26. to talk 36. to help
7. walking 17. complaining 27. living 37. to study
8. to eat 18. concentrating 28. coming 38. seeing
9. calling 19. to join 29. to study 39. working
10. listening 20. to pick up 30. to help 40. to be

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1

Infinitives vs. Gerunds

What are “Gerunds”?

What are “infinitives”?

Guidelines for infinitives or gerunds

When to use gerunds

When to use infinitives

Sometimes there is a difference

In combination with “Like”

Exercise 1: Infinitive or Gerund

Exercise 2: Infinitive or Gerund

Exercise 3: Infinitive or Gerund

Exercise 4: Infinitive or Gerund

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