1. Gerunds and Infinitives
Grammar
Gerunds and Infinitives

2. Gerunds
* A gerund is a verbal that ends in -ing and functions as a noun or present participle.
* The term verbal indicates that a gerund is based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being.
* A gerund functions as a noun
* A gerund is part of continuous tenses

3. Examples Gerund as subject:
Traveling might be dangerous on rainy days.
Gerund as direct object:
They do not appreciate my singing.
Gerund as subject complement:
A company's favorite activity is selling.
Gerund as object of preposition:
They employed him for providing the right answers.
Gerund as part of continuous tenses
We are studying grammar right now.

4. Infinitives
* An infinitive is a verbal consisting of the word to plus a verb (in its simplest "stem" form).
* It can function as a noun, noun complement, or purpose clause.
* The term verbal indicates that an infinitive is based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being.

5. Examples
To wait seemed foolish when decisive action was required. (subject)
Everyone wanted to go. (direct object)
His ambition is to study. (subject complement)
He lacked the strength to resist. (object complement)
We must study to learn. (purpose clause)

6. Verbs that take only infinitives as verbal direct objects
agree decide expect hesitate learn need promise neglect hope
want plan attempt propose intend pretend

7. Verbs that take only gerunds as verbal direct objects
deny risk delay consider
can't help keep give up be fond of finish quit put off practice postpone tolerate suggest stop (quit) regret enjoy keep (on) admit avoid recall mind miss appreciate recommend dislike detest
get/be through get/be tired of
get/be accustomed to get/be used to

8. Verbs that take gerunds or infinitives as verbal direct objects
start
begin
continue
hate
prefer
like
love
try
remember

9. Complete the sentences using the –ing form or the to-infinitive.
1. I want ______ (go).
2. ______ (swim) keeps me in shape.
3. She has the money _____ (buy) it.
4. _____ (see) is to believe.
5. He won the game by_____ (score).

10. Answers 1. I want to go . 2. Swimming keeps me in shape.
3. She has the money to buy it.
4. To see is to believe.
5. He won the game by scoring.