Gerunds and Infinitives

Gerund

A Gerund is a verbal noun - it is a verb acting as a noun. Gerunds are made by adding -ing to the base verb e.g. watch / watching.

Gerunds can either be the subject or object of a verb:

Gerund as a subject: "Skiing is great."
Gerund as an object: "I love skiing."

Gerunds are often used after state verbs e.g.

"I enjoy walking in the park."
"She hates smoking."

When you use a verb after a preposition in a sentence, use a gerund.

"He ended his speech by thanking everyone."
"Don't cross the road without looking."

We also use gerunds after two-word prepositions.

"I'm tired of working on the weekend."
"She dreams of winning a gold medal."

Infinitives

Infinitives are the base form of the verb e.g. look, see, watch. Infinitives can either be used alone or with to.

Use an infinitive verb (without to) with modal verbs

"We could go shopping tomorrow."
"You had better call Jane before it gets too late."

We can use to + infinitive as the object of verbs like want and wish.

"I really want to watch it again."
"Do you wish to speak to her about it."

We use to + infinitive after an adjective / adverb + enough.

"Simon isn't old enough to drive."
"You are too short to ride on the roller-coaster."

Link: Gerunds vs Infinitives

• 1 - The man was nervous of ___ when it was dark.
  
  jog
  to jog
  jogging
  
  
• 2 - My coffee is too cold ___.
  
  drink
  drinking
  to drink
  
  
• 3 - You can't ___ that dog into the shop.
  
  bringing
  bring
  to bring
  
  
• 4 - She doesn't feel like ___ out today.
  
  to go
  go
  going
  
  
• 5 - His mother made him ___ his raincoat.
  
  to wear
  wear
  wearing
  
  
• 6 - The baby refused ___ her vegetables.
  
  eating
  to eat
  eat
  
  
• 7 - They usually start by ___ something to eat.
  
  have
  having
  to have
  
  
• 8 - I'd rather ___ a car than use the buses.
  
  to rent
  rent
  renting
  
  
• 9 - Charlotte thought about ___ to Jane about it.
  
  speaking
  to speak
  speak
  
  
• 10 - The sofa isn't big enough for me ___ on.
  
  sleeping
  sleep
  to sleep