Grammar learning - Gerund and Infinitives

GERUNDS

A gerund is the base form of a verb + ing. It can be one word (exercising), or it can be part of a longer phrase with an adverb, a noun, or a prepositional phrase.

Gerunds as Subjects and Objects

Gerund as Subject

Gerund (Subject)        +          Third-person singular verb

Example:

1.      Learning math is difficult.

2.      Exercising is not fun.

Gerund as Object

Subject                        +          Verb    +          Gerund (Object)

Example:

1.      I enjoy shopping.

2.      We discussed moving to Ohio.

Gerunds After Prepositions.

Preposition      +          Gerund

Gerunds can follow prepositions such as about, for, in, instead of, of and to.

Example:

I’ll call before leaving town.

Verb    +          Preposition      +          gerund

Many verb + preposition combinations can be followed by gerunds. These include approve of, believe in, disapprove of, plan on, think about, and worry about.

Example:

We worried about losing.

Be        +          Adjective        +          Preposition      +          Gerund

These include be accustomed to/be used to, be afraid of, be fond of, be good at, be interested in, be surprised at, and be tired of.

Example:

We were tired of studying hard.

 

INFINITIVES

An infinitive is to + the base form of the verb. It can be part of a longer phrase with an adverb or an object.

All verbs except modal auxiliaries have infinitive forms.

Infinitives After Verbs.

Infinitives follow verbs in three main patterns:

1.      Verb + Infinitive

2.      Verb + Object + Infinitive

3.      Verb + (Object) + Infinitive

Example:

1.      I continue to study in England.

2.      She invites me to visit her hometown next summer.

3.      I promise (you) to attend your party.

In Order  +  Infinitive

Infinitives can follow the expression in order.

With affirmative infinitives, we often leave out in order and use infinitive alone.

It Subject …. + Infinitive

An infinitive can be function as the subject of a sentence: To lie is wrong. However, this form is not common. It is more usual to start the sentence with It and use the infinitive at the end of the sentence. It refers to the infinitive.

It is followed by a limited group of verbs, including be, cost, seem, and take.