1. Contrasting Gerunds & Infinitives
Ch. 11

2. What is a Gerund
A gerund is a verb (or verb phrase) that is functioning as a noun in a sentence.
Gerunds ALWAYS end in –ing, but not every verb ending in –ing is acting as a gerund.

3. Example: I am running. (present cont. verb)
Running is fun. (Running = gerund)

4. Gerunds After Verbs
Gerunds can also be added AFTER the verb in a sentence.
You can use gerunds as:
Adverb phrases
Prepositional phrases
Objects of verbs

5. Gerund as Adverb Phrase
You should consider driving slowly.
He suggested eating quickly.
She recommended leaving shortly.

6. Gerunds as a Prepositional Phrase
You should avoid driving in Houston.
He suggested eating in the restaurant.
She recommended leaving before lunch.

7. Gerunds as Objects You should avoid owning a big SUV.
He suggested eating Chinese.
She recommended leaving a tip.

8. Complete with a Gerund
We’re going to Hawaii on vacation next month. I’m really looking forward to _____________ (take) it easy for a change.

9. I want to spend some time ___________(learn) how to use a surfboard.

10. She wasn’t used to __________(speak) with people in English.

11. Now she has no trouble __________(make) herself understood when she wants to.

12. You can shop at home instead of __________ (go) to a store.

13. You can buy whatever you need just by __________(click) a mouse!

14. Kevin’s car wasn’t running very well
Kevin’s car wasn’t running very well. He was having trouble __________ (start) it.

15. In the end, he wound up ________ (give) it to a friend.

16. Infinitives To + Verb I hate TO DRIVE. I had to move to Houston.
I prefer TO EAT SLOWLY.
I like TO WALK THE DOGS.

17. Infinitives
An infinitive can be as short as 2 words (to drive), or a longer phrase with an adverb (to eat slowly), prepositional phrase (to move to Houston), or object (to walk the dogs).

18. Infinitives Almost ALWAYS come after the verb in a sentence.
(In a very few instances, you can use an infinitive as the subject of a sentence, but it’s a really good way to accidently write a sentence fragment).

19. Infinitives
Instead of starting a sentence with an infinitive, we often start it with the pronoun “It” as the noun. The infinitive in the sentence refers back to the pronoun. It costs a lot to own a car. Vs. To own a car costs a lot.

20. Example To live will be an awfully big adventure. Vs.
It will be an awfully big adventure to live.

21. Complete with an Infinitive
When I’m at home, I never have time ________(go) to the beach.

22. When Keiko first came to the U. S
When Keiko first came to the U.S., she found it hard _________ (speak) to Americans.

23. Shopping on the internet has made our lives a lot easier
Shopping on the internet has made our lives a lot easier. It’s now possible _________ (shop) at home.

24. He wasn’t sorry _________ (get) rid of it, because he found a great deal on another car.

25. Reword the Gerund as an Infinitive
Raising children is not easy.

26. Studying all night is not a good idea.

27. Walking to work takes too much time.

28. Getting exercise is important.

29. Owning a house costs a lot of money.

30. Knowing a foreign language can be useful.

31. Infinitive Patterns Verb + Infinitive Verb + Object + Infinitive
I agreed to chair the committee.
He planned to go to the store.
She refused to wait on him.
Verb + Object + Infinitive
She taught me to dance.
I warned the girl to not pet the dogs.
He required a passing test score to take the class.

32. Verbs That Can Be Followed by an Infinitive With or Without an Object
Aks
Choose
Expect
Help
Need
Pay
Promise
Want
Wish
Would Like
See Appendix 9 for more verbs followed by infinitives.

33. Gerund or Infinitive?
B1 – Listening – p. 234
(CD2, Track 13)

34. Complete with “seeing it” or “see it”
I’m planning ____________________.

35. Do you recommend ___________________?

36. You should consider ________________.

37. I’ve decided _____________________.

38. I suggest ________________________.

39. Don’t expect me __________________.

40. He refuses _____________________.

41. I warn you not ______________________.

42. You should avoid __________________.

43. I urge you _________________________.

44. Create a ? Starting with “Do” Subject = “You”
Expect/travel/stay home/next summer
Suggest/stay home/see a movie tonight
Hope/live in a big city/a small town
Need/study a lot/a little
Recommend/eat breakfast/skip breakfast
Want/stay in your apartment/find a new apartment

45. Answers Do you expect to travel or stay home next summer?
Do you suggest staying home or seeing a movie tonight?
Do you hope to live in a big city or in a small town?
Do you need to study a lot or a little?
Do you recommend eating or skipping breakfast?
Do you want to stay in your apartment or find a new apartment?

46. Verbs w/ Same Gerund & Infinitive Meanings
Started – Continued – Began
After started, continued and began, both the infinitive and the gerund have the same meaning.
If the continuous form of the verb (starting, continuing, beginning) is used, then use the infinitive after it.

47. Example
He started to laugh
He started laughing
SAME MEANING

48. Example #2 It was beginning to snow. Vs. It was beginning snowing.
Which is correct?

49. Similar Meanings Like, love, hate, prefer
The infinitive and gerund following these verbs are similar in meaning.
Sometimes it is more common to use an infinitive to talk about an activity AT A SPECIFIC TIME, and a gerund to talk about the activity IN GENERAL.

50. Example I like to swim early in the morning. (specific time)
I like swimming and boating (activity in general)

51. Example #2
Would you prefer to play tennis or swim today? (specific time)
Do you prefer playing tennis or swimming? (activity in general)

52. Try – Present Tense
After try when used in the present tense, the gerund and infinitive are similar in meaning.
Try to relax more.
Try relaxing more.

53. Try – Past Tense
When try is in the past, the infinitive implies that an action did NOT occur.
The gerund implies that the action occurred but may or may not have been successful.
I tried to take some aspirin for the pain, but I couldn’t get the bottle open.
VS.
I tried taking some aspirin for the pain, but it didn’t help.

54. Different Meanings Remember & Stop
The infinitive refers to an action that happens AFTER the action of the main verb.
The gerund refers to an action that happened BEFORE the action of the main verb.

55. Example #1 I remembered to mail the letter.
(I remembered the letter, then I mailed it)
VS.
I remembered mailing the letter.
(I mailed the letter. Later, I remembered doing it)

56. Example #2 I stopped to listen to him.
(I stopped what I was doing. Then I listened to him)
VS.
I stopped listening to him.
(I was listening to him. Then I stopped listening.)

57. Different Meanings Forget Usually used with an infinitive
With a gerund, it mostly occurs in sentences with “will never”

58. Example I forgot to pay my telephone bill.
Don’t forget to pick up dinner on the way home.
I forgot to buy a gift for Katie’s birthday.

59. Example - Gerund I will never forget living in Ecuador.
I will never forget swimming with a dolphin.
I will never forget jumping out of an airplane.

60. Different Meaning Regret
With verbs including: inform, tell, say and announce – regret can take either an infinitive or a gerund.
For all other verbs, regret takes a gerund.

61. Example I regret to inform you that I am leaving.
I regret informing you that I am leaving.
I regret to announce I will not be teaching level 4 next spring.
I regret announcing I will not be teaching level 4 next spring.

62. Example – Gerund Only I regret leaving class early.
I regret paying my bill late.
I regret studying until 2 am this morning.

63. Listening Practice
C1 – p. 240
(CD2, Track 14)

64. Same or Different Meaning?
Can we stop watching the movie?
Can we stop to watch the movie?

65. The cleaners didn’t start working until noon.
The cleaners didn’t start to work until noon.

66. It will continue raining through the evening.
It will continue to rain through the evening.

67. I didn’t remember locking the door.
I didn’t remember to lock the door.

68. We regret to say that Mr. Jones died.
We regret saying that Mr. Jones died.

69. The roof has begin leak.
The roof has begun to leak.

70. I tried to send a message on Ben’s computer.
I tried sending a message on Ben’s computer.

71. I’ll never forget doing that.
I’ll never forget to do that.

72. Complete with a Gerund or Infinitive
Another beautiful day! I love ___________ (get up) in the morning.

73. You’re kidding. I really dislike ______ (get up) in the morning
You’re kidding! I really dislike ______ (get up) in the morning. I immediately start ________ (worry) about all of the things I need _________ (do)

74. Let’s go ____________ (shop)
Let’s go ____________ (shop). I like _____________ (watch) the crowds, and I’d like __________ (buy) some gifts.

75. Do we have to? I don’t like __________ (fight) my way through crowds.

76. Well, would you like _________ (go) to the top of the Sears Tower
Well, would you like _________ (go) to the top of the Sears Tower? The view is great. You can see the lake from there.

77. I remember __________ (go) up there once. It was terrible
I remember __________ (go) up there once. It was terrible. I prefer ___________ (have) both of my feet on the ground.

78. I’m beginning _________ (feel) hungry
I’m beginning _________ (feel) hungry. Let’s try _______________ (find) a good restaurant.

79. I try ___________ (avoid) eating out
I try ___________ (avoid) eating out. You wouldn’t mind _________ (cook) something at home, would you?

80. Verb Phrases Followed by Gerunds
Some verb phrases that end in adjectives or nouns can be followed by gerunds.
Common Verb Phrases Are:
Be busy
Have fun
Have a good time
Have trouble
It’s no use
It’s not worth
Spend an hour
Spend time
Waste time

81. Example Verb Phrase + Gerund
She will have fun playing volleyball next year.
He has a good time playing football.
I waste time watching TV.
It’s not worth fixing the car.
Do you have trouble writing essays?
Do you spend time working on your homework?

82. Prepositions - Review
A preposition is a word which precedes a noun (or a pronoun) to show the noun's (or the pronoun's) relationship to another word in the sentence.
(The word preposition comes from the idea of being positioned before. It is not true to say that a preposition always precedes a noun or a pronoun, but it does most of the time.)

83. Easy Preposition Test Aren’t sure a word or phrase is a preposition?
Try to tack “the tree” onto the end of it.
If it makes sense, then the word or phrase is a preposition
Examples:
In “the tree”
Around “the tree”
Without “the tree”
Instead of “the tree”

84. Preposition + Gerund
One-one and phrasal (fancy term for multiple-word) prepositions can sometimes be followed by gerunds.
Common Prepositions:
After
Before
Besides By In
In addition
Instead of
Without

85. Examples Preposition + Gerund Without realizing it, drivers speed.
After eating, I like to take a nap.
Before starting college, I graduated from high school.
Instead of teaching high school, I teach college.

86. Verb + Preposition + Gerund
Sometimes you can follow a verb with a preposition then a gerund.
Common Verb + Preposition Patterns:
Approve of
Believe in
Depend on
Disapprove of
Insist on
Look forward to
Talk about
Think about
Work on
Worry about

87. Examples Verb + Preposition + Gerund Think about slowing down.
We ended up waiting an hour.
He disapproves of playing video games.
She looks forward to graduating.
I worry about passing my classes.

88. Be + Preposition + Adjective + Gerund
Common Combinations:
Be accustomed to
Be afraid of
Be good at
Be interested in
Be surprised at
Be tired of
Be used to
Be worried about
Note: “be” = ANY “be” very (be/am/is/are/was/were)

89. Examples Doug and Hogan are accustomed to eating breakfast in bed.
My sister is afraid of speaking in public.
They are interested in learning English.
I am tired of failing students.

90. Adjective + Infinitive
Many adjectives can be followed by infinitives.
Common Examples:
Afraid
Determined
Eager
Embarrassed
Excited
Happy
Hesitant
Ready
Sorry
Surprised

91. Examples He was afraid to talk. She is too embarrassed to sing.
They are ready to go.
I was surprised to win.

92. In Order + Infinitive
Sometimes to show you did something to accomplish the verb in the infinitive, you put the phrase “In Order” in front of the infinitive.
Examples:
I quit school in order to work full time.
I put music on in order to relax.
The teacher gave the students a test in order to determine how well they had learned the material.

93. In Order Not + Infinitive
The negative form of “In Order” is “In Order Not”
I took a deep breath in order not to yell at my students for not following directions.
He went to college in order not to be disinherited.
I planned out my week carefully in order not to forget anything.

94. Listening Practice
D1 – p. 245
CD2 – Track 15

95. The Performer of Gerund Actions
The actions expressed by a gerund have to be performed by someone.
Sometimes the performer is the subject of the sentence.
Sometimes the performer is not the subject. In these cases, a possessive adjective is used to indicate the performer.

96. Example – Performer as Subject
We were surprised at passing the test.
Jane had a good time running in the marathon.
He looks forward to walking on the beach.
Rick is tired of waiting on his wife to get ready.

97. Example – Performer as Possessive Adjective
Rick believes Jane practices too much.
John is afraid of Caitlin driving.
My sister talks about Carrie graduating constantly.
My mom worries about my living in Houston.

98. Example – Performer as Possessive Adjective
We were surprised at Tim’s passing the exam.
We were surprised at his passing the exam.
Note: When a gerund occurs after a verb, an object pronoun can replace the possessive adjective.

99. The Performer of Infinitive Actions
The actions expressed by infinitives have to be performed by someone.
When an infinitive directly follows a verb, then the subject of the sentence is the performer.
When an infinitive follows an object, the performer of the infinitive is the object.

100. Example – Infinitive as Subject
I want to take a different route.
She would like to go shopping.
Jane regrets to inform you that she is now divorced.
The dogs need to bark less.

101. Example – Infinitive as Object
I want him to take a different route.
I would like the dogs to bark less.
Jane told John to go to the store.

102. Listening Practice
E1 – p. 248
CD2 – Track 16

103. Choose the Best Answer to Complete the Sentence
I’ll help you ______ that box. It’s very heavy.
A. lift
B. lifting
C. lifted

104. My parents won’t let _______ MTV.
A. me watch
B. to watch
C. me watching

105. Can you ask Gary ______ me a call when he comes back?
A. give
B. to give
C. given

106. You can’t make __________ vegetables if I don’t want to.
A. me eat
B. I eat
C. me to eat

107. Please put on a sweater when you go out. I don’ want ________ cold.
A. you get
B. to get
C. you to get

108. The teacher had ____ in groups for this project.
A. the students work
B. the students to work
C. the students were working

109. Celia would like _______ some time of because her father is sick.
A. take
B. to take
C. her mother to take

110. Don’t ask _____ that. I can’t understand a word of it.
A. I translate
B. translating
C. me to translate

111. Would you make the kids ____ the TV?
A. to turn off
B. turn off
C. turning off

112. I’ll let ________ my new car if you promise to be careful.
A. you driving
B. you to drive
C. you drive

113. I’m going to want ________ me a hand with this sofa. It’s heavy
A. him to give
B. him give
C. giving

114. Complete with a Gerund or Infinitive
You’ve worked hard all week. It’s time _____ (enjoy) life. You don’t want _________ (waste) time all weekend ______ (run) errands. The idea of ________ (stand) in line at the supermarket fills you with horror. You simply don’t have the time _______ (go) to the post office. Or maybe you just hate _______ (shop). But things need _______ (get) done. Don’t worry. Try _______ (use) a shopping service. A growing number of companies exist ________ (meet) the needs of people who are too busy ______ (run) all their errands themselves. For fees that start at $50 an hour, these companies provide a variety of services from _______ (register) their clients’ car to _______ (clean) their house.

115. Answers
You’ve worked hard all week. It’s time to enjoy life. You don’t want to waste time all weekend to run/running errands. The idea of standing in line at the supermarket fills you with horror. You simply don’t have the time to go to the post office. Or maybe you just hate to shop/shopping. But things need to get done. Don’t worry. Try to use/using a shopping service. A growing number of companies exist to meet the needs of people who are too busy to run all their errands themselves. For fees that start at $50 an hour, these companies provide a variety of services from registering their clients’ car to cleaning their house.

116. True or False
I forgot to mail the letter.
___ I mailed the letter

117. I didn’t remember to take out the garbage.
___ I took out the garbage.

118. I’ll never forget opening that letter.
___ I opened the letter.

119. I always avoid eating sweets.
____ I eat sweets.

120. They permitted me to leave.
___ I left.

121. She stopped to eat lunch.
___ She didn’t eat lunch.

122. I tried soaking my ankle, but it still hurts.
___ I soaked my ankle.

123. I heard about his winning the race.
___ He won the race.

124. He was surprised at my failing the exam.
___ I failed the exam.

125. I had him complain to the manager.
___ I complained to the manager.

126. Situation: You are going to resign from your job because of a scandal.
I have decided _____________________.
I appreciate ________________________.
I expect ____________________________.
I invite ____________________________.
I’m concerned about _________________.
I urge _______________________.
I want ____________________________.
I don’t mind ______________________.

127. Situation: You are going to run for president.
I have decided _____________________.
I appreciate ________________________.
I expect ____________________________.
I invite ____________________________.
I’m concerned about _________________.
I urge _______________________.
I want ____________________________.
I don’t mind ______________________.

128. Test Review Complete the review test.
If we run out of time to check the answers in class, they will be posted on Engrade.