Understanding verb patterns, particularly the use of infinitives and gerunds, is crucial for achieving fluency and accuracy in English. These verb forms function differently and are governed by specific rules, making them a common area of difficulty for English language learners.
This comprehensive guide will break down the complexities of infinitives and gerunds, providing clear explanations, numerous examples, and practical exercises to help you master their usage. Whether you are a beginner aiming to build a solid foundation or an advanced learner seeking to refine your grammatical skills, this article will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to use infinitives and gerunds correctly and effectively.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definitions: Infinitives and Gerunds
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories
- Examples
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definitions: Infinitives and Gerunds
To begin, let’s define what infinitives and gerunds are and how they function within the English language. Understanding these definitions is essential for grasping the nuances of verb patterns.
An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word “to” (e.g., to run, to eat, to study). It can function as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb within a sentence. Infinitives are non-finite verbs, meaning they do not change form to indicate tense, number, or person. The “to” is called the infinitive marker.
A gerund, on the other hand, is a verb form ending in “-ing” that functions as a noun (e.g., running, eating, studying). Gerunds are also non-finite verbs, but their primary role is to act as nouns, taking on the properties and functions of nouns within a sentence. They can serve as subjects, objects, or complements.
Structural Breakdown
The structure of infinitives and gerunds is relatively simple, but their position and function within a sentence can be complex. Understanding the structural elements is key to using them correctly.
An infinitive consists of “to” + the base form of the verb (e.g., to be, to have, to go). The “to” is an integral part of the infinitive and cannot be omitted except in certain constructions (e.g., after modal verbs like can, should, must). Infinitives can be modified by adverbs (e.g., to quickly run) or followed by objects and complements (e.g., to read a book, to become a doctor).
A gerund is formed by adding “-ing” to the base form of the verb (e.g., being, having, going). Like infinitives, gerunds can be modified by adverbs (e.g., running quickly) or followed by objects and complements (e.g., reading books, becoming a doctor). Because gerunds function as nouns, they can also be preceded by articles (e.g., the running) or possessive pronouns (e.g., my studying).
Types and Categories
Infinitives and gerunds have different types and functions within a sentence. Recognizing these variations is essential for mastering their usage.
Types of Infinitives
Infinitives can be classified based on their function in a sentence:
- Noun Infinitives: Function as nouns, serving as subjects, objects, or complements.
- Adjective Infinitives: Modify nouns, providing additional information about them.
- Adverb Infinitives: Modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs, expressing purpose, reason, or result.
The following table illustrates the different types of infinitives with examples:
| Type of Infinitive | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun Infinitive (Subject) | Acts as the subject of the sentence. | To err is human. |
| Noun Infinitive (Object) | Acts as the object of the verb. | I want to travel. |
| Noun Infinitive (Complement) | Completes the meaning of the subject. | My goal is to learn. |
| Adjective Infinitive | Modifies a noun. | This is the book to read. |
| Adverb Infinitive (Purpose) | Expresses the purpose of an action. | I went to the store to buy milk. |
| Adverb Infinitive (Reason) | Explains the reason for an action. | I am happy to hear that. |
Functions of Gerunds
Gerunds, functioning as nouns, can also take on different roles within a sentence:
- Subject: The gerund acts as the subject of the sentence.
- Object: The gerund acts as the object of a verb or preposition.
- Complement: The gerund completes the meaning of the subject.
- Appositive: The gerund renames or explains another noun.
The following table illustrates the different functions of gerunds with examples:
| Function of Gerund | Example |
|---|---|
| Subject | Swimming is good exercise. |
| Object of Verb | I enjoy reading novels. |
| Object of Preposition | I am good at playing the piano. |
| Complement | My favorite activity is hiking. |
| Appositive | My favorite hobby, painting, helps me relax. |
Examples
Understanding which verbs are followed by infinitives, which are followed by gerunds, and which can be followed by either is crucial for correct usage. Let’s explore this with detailed examples.
Verbs Followed by Infinitives
Many verbs in English are typically followed by infinitives. These verbs often express intention, desire, or obligation.
Here’s a table with examples:
| Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Agree | I agreed to help him with his homework. |
| Appear | She appears to be happy. |
| Arrange | They arranged to meet at the library. |
| Ask | He asked to leave early. |
| Attempt | She attempted to climb the mountain. |
| Choose | I chose to study medicine. |
| Dare | I didn’t dare to speak up. |
| Decide | We decided to go to the beach. |
| Demand | He demanded to see the manager. |
| Deserve | You deserve to win the prize. |
| Expect | I expect to finish the project on time. |
| Fail | He failed to pass the exam. |
| Forget | I forgot to lock the door. |
| Hope | I hope to see you soon. |
| Learn | She is learning to play the guitar. |
| Manage | He managed to escape the fire. |
| Need | I need to buy groceries. |
| Offer | She offered to help me with the dishes. |
| Plan | We planned to visit Europe next year. |
| Prepare | They prepared to give a presentation. |
| Pretend | He pretended to be asleep. |
| Promise | I promised to call you later. |
| Refuse | She refused to answer the question. |
| Seem | He seems to be tired. |
| Struggle | I struggle to understand this concept. |
| Swear | I swear to tell the truth. |
| Tend | People tend to exaggerate. |
| Threaten | He threatened to call the police. |
| Want | I want to eat pizza. |
| Wish | I wish to travel the world. |
Verbs Followed by Gerunds
Other verbs are typically followed by gerunds. These verbs often express enjoyment, avoidance, or completion of an action.
Here’s a table with examples:
| Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Admit | He admitted stealing the money. |
| Advise | I advise taking the train. |
| Anticipate | I anticipate having a good time. |
| Appreciate | I appreciate hearing from you. |
| Avoid | I avoid going to crowded places. |
| Consider | I am considering moving to a new city. |
| Delay | They delayed making a decision. |
| Deny | He denied committing the crime. |
| Detest | I detest cleaning the bathroom. |
| Dislike | I dislike waiting in long lines. |
| Enjoy | I enjoy listening to music. |
| Escape | He escaped being caught. |
| Excuse | Please excuse my being late. |
| Finish | I finished reading the book. |
| Imagine | I can’t imagine living without the internet. |
| Involve | The job involves traveling frequently. |
| Keep | Keep practicing your English. |
| Mention | He mentioned seeing you yesterday. |
| Mind | Do you mind helping me with this? |
| Miss | I miss living in my hometown. |
| Postpone | They postponed holding the meeting. |
| Practice | I need to practice speaking English. |
| Quit | I quit smoking last year. |
| Recall | I don’t recall meeting him before. |
| Recommend | I recommend visiting the museum. |
| Regret | I regret saying that. |
| Resist | I couldn’t resist eating the cake. |
| Risk | He risked losing his job. |
| Suggest | I suggest going to the movies. |
| Understand | I don’t understand solving this problem. |
Verbs Followed by Both Infinitives and Gerunds
Some verbs can be followed by either infinitives or gerunds, often with a subtle difference in meaning. Here’s a breakdown with examples:
| Verb | Infinitive Example (Meaning) | Gerund Example (Meaning) |
|---|---|---|
| Remember | I remembered to lock the door. (I recalled the need and then locked it.) | I remember locking the door. (I have a memory of locking it.) |
| Forget | I forgot to lock the door. (I didn’t lock it.) | I’ll never forget seeing the Eiffel Tower. (I’ll always remember the experience.) |
| Regret | I regret to inform you that you didn’t pass. (I am sorry to have to say this.) | I regret saying that. (I am sorry that I said it.) |
| Try | I tried to open the door. (I made an effort.) | I tried eating sushi. (I experimented with it.) |
| Stop | I stopped to buy a coffee. (I paused my activity to do something else.) | I stopped smoking. (I ceased the activity.) |
| Like | I like to swim. (I generally enjoy swimming.) | I like swimming. (I enjoy the activity of swimming.) |
| Love | I love to dance. (I generally enjoy dancing.) | I love dancing. (I enjoy the activity of dancing.) |
| Hate | I hate to interrupt you. (I don’t want to interrupt.) | I hate waiting in lines. (I dislike the activity of waiting.) |
| Begin | It began to rain. (The rain started.) | It began raining. (The rain started.) |
| Continue | He continued to work. (He kept working.) | He continued working. (He kept working.) |
Prepositions Followed by Gerunds
Gerunds are commonly used after prepositions. This is a fundamental rule to remember.
Consider these examples:
| Preposition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| About | I am excited about going to the party. |
| At | I am good at playing the piano. |
| By | You can improve your English by practicing regularly. |
| For | Thank you for helping me. |
| From | She was prevented from leaving. |
| In | I am interested in learning new languages. |
| Of | I am tired of waiting. |
| On | He insisted on paying for dinner. |
| To | I am looking forward to seeing you. (When “to” is a preposition, it is followed by a gerund.) |
| With | I have trouble with remembering names. |
| Without | He left without saying goodbye. |
| After | After finishing work, I went to the gym. |
| Before | Before leaving, make sure to turn off the lights. |
| Instead of | Instead of complaining, try to find a solution. |
| Because of | Because of studying hard, he passed the exam. |
| Due to | Due to being late, I missed the bus. |
| In addition to | In addition to working full-time, she studies at night. |
| Prior to | Prior to attending the meeting, review the agenda. |
| Regardless of | Regardless of winning, I’m happy to participate. |
| Thanks to | Thanks to practicing, I improved my skills. |
Adjectives Followed by Infinitives
Certain adjectives are commonly followed by infinitives to express feelings, opinions, or abilities. Here are some examples:
| Adjective | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Happy | I am happy to see you. |
| Glad | I am glad to hear that. |
| Sad | I am sad to leave. |
| Eager | I am eager to learn more. |
| Anxious | I am anxious to start the project. |
| Ready | I am ready to go. |
| Able | I am able to help you. |
| Unable | I am unable to attend the meeting. |
| Difficult | It is difficult to understand this concept. |
| Easy | It is easy to learn English. |
| Important | It is important to be on time. |
| Necessary | It is necessary to study hard. |
| Nice | It is nice to meet you. |
| Pleasant | It is pleasant to talk to you. |
| Surprised | I am surprised to see you here. |
| Shocked | I was shocked to hear the news. |
| Delighted | I am delighted to accept your invitation. |
| Relieved | I am relieved to hear you’re safe. |
| Prepared | I am prepared to face any challenge. |
| Determined | I am determined to succeed. |
Usage Rules
Understanding the rules governing the use of infinitives and gerunds is essential for avoiding errors and ensuring grammatical accuracy.
General Rules for Infinitives and Gerunds
Here are some general rules to keep in mind:
- After certain verbs: Some verbs are always followed by infinitives (e.g., want, need, decide), while others are always followed by gerunds (e.g., enjoy, avoid, consider).
- After prepositions: Gerunds are generally used after prepositions (e.g., I am good at playing the piano).
- As subjects and objects: Both infinitives and gerunds can function as subjects and objects of sentences.
- With adjectives: Certain adjectives are followed by infinitives to express feelings or opinions (e.g., I am happy to see you).
Exceptions and Special Cases
There are exceptions to these general rules, and certain constructions require careful attention:
- “To” as part of an infinitive vs. preposition: Be careful to distinguish between “to” as part of an infinitive (e.g., I want to go) and “to” as a preposition (e.g., I am looking forward to seeing you). When “to” is a preposition, it is followed by a gerund.
- Bare infinitives: After modal verbs (e.g., can, should, must), the infinitive is used without “to” (e.g., I can swim).
- “Help” followed by an infinitive: The verb “help” can be followed by either a full infinitive (with “to”) or a bare infinitive (without “to”) (e.g., I helped him to carry the bags or I helped him carry the bags).
Common Mistakes
Learners often make mistakes when using infinitives and gerunds. Recognizing these common errors can help you avoid them.
Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I enjoy to swim. | I enjoy swimming. | “Enjoy” is followed by a gerund. |
| I want swimming. | I want to swim. | “Want” is followed by an infinitive. |
| I am good at to play the piano. | I am good at playing the piano. | “At” is a preposition and is followed by a gerund. |
| He decided going to the party. | He decided to go to the party. | “Decide” is followed by an infinitive. |
| I look forward to meet you. | I look forward to meeting you. | “To” is a preposition in this case and is followed by a gerund. |
| She avoids to eat junk food. | She avoids eating junk food. | “Avoids” is followed by a gerund. |
| They considered to move to Canada. | They considered moving to Canada. | “Considered” is followed by a gerund. |
| I forgot locking the door. (when I didn’t lock it) | I forgot to lock the door. (when I didn’t lock it) | “Forget to” means you didn’t do it. “Forget -ing” means you don’t remember doing it. |
| I stopped buying a coffee. (when I paused to buy coffee) | I stopped to buy a coffee. (when I paused to buy coffee) | “Stop to” means you paused an activity to do something else. “Stop -ing” means you ceased the activity. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of infinitives and gerunds with these practice exercises.
Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Form
Choose the correct form of the verb (infinitive or gerund) to complete each sentence.
| Question | Answer Choices | Correct Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1. I enjoy ________ (read) novels. | a) to read b) reading | b) reading |
| 2. She wants ________ (travel) the world. | a) to travel b) traveling | a) to travel |
| 3. He is good at ________ (play) the guitar. | a) to play b) playing | b) playing |
| 4. They decided ________ (go) to the beach. | a) to go b) going | a) to go |
| 5. I avoid ________ (eat) junk food. | a) to eat b) eating | b) eating |
| 6. She offered ________ (help) me with the dishes. | a) to help b) helping | a) to help |
| 7. I am looking forward to ________ (see) you. | a) to see b) seeing | b) seeing |
| 8. He admitted ________ (steal) the money. | a) to steal b) stealing | b) stealing |
| 9. I need ________ (study) for the exam. | a) to study b) studying | a) to study |
| 10. She keeps ________ (practice) her English. | a) to practice b) practicing | b) practicing |
Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences
Complete the following sentences using the correct form (infinitive or gerund) of the verb in parentheses.
| Question | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I forgot ________ (lock) the door. | to lock |
| 2. She stopped ________ (smoke) last year. | smoking |
| 3. He tried ________ (open) the jar. | to open |
| 4. I regret ________ (say) that. | saying |
| 5. We planned ________ (visit) Europe. | to visit |
| 6. They considered ________ (move) to a new city. | moving |
| 7. I am happy ________ (help) you. | to help |
| 8. She is interested in ________ (learn) new languages. | learning |
| 9. He is able ________ (speak) three languages. | to speak |
| 10. I appreciate ________ (hear) from you. | hearing |
Exercise 3: Error Correction
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.
| Question | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I enjoy to listen to music. | I enjoy listening to music. |
| 2. She wants traveling to Europe. | She wants to travel to Europe. |
| 3. He is good at to play the piano. | He is good at playing the piano. |
| 4. They decided going to the movies. | They decided to go to the movies. |
| 5. I avoid to eat junk food. | I avoid eating junk food. |
| 6. She offered helping me with the dishes. | She offered to help me with the dishes. |
| 7. I am looking forward to meet you. | I am looking forward to meeting you. |
| 8. He admitted to steal the money. | He admitted stealing the money. |
| 9. I need studying for the exam. | I need to study for the exam. |
| 10. She keeps to practice her English. | She keeps practicing her English. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, understanding perfect and passive infinitives and gerunds can further enhance their grammatical precision.
Perfect Infinitives
A perfect infinitive is formed with “to have” + past participle (e.g., to have finished, to have been). It indicates an action that was completed before the time of the main verb. Perfect infinitives are used to express assumptions, regrets, or unexpected events in the past.
Examples:
- He seems to have studied a lot for the exam.
- I am glad to have met you.
- She is believed to have left the country.
Perfect Gerunds
A perfect gerund is formed with “having” + past participle (e.g., having finished, having been). It indicates an action that was completed before the time of the main verb, with the entire phrase functioning as a noun. Perfect gerunds can add nuance and precision to your writing.
Examples:
- He denied having stolen the money.
- I regret having said that.
- She is proud of having completed the marathon.
- She is proud of having completed the marathon.
Passive Infinitives and Gerunds
Passive infinitives and gerunds are used when the subject of the verb is receiving the action, rather than performing it. They are formed differently and used in specific contexts.
A passive infinitive is formed with “to be” + past participle (e.g., to be seen, to be told, to be chosen). It is used to express that someone or something is the recipient of an action. Examples:
- She wants to be invited to the party.
- The report needs to be finished by Friday.
- He hopes to be selected for the team.
A passive gerund is formed with “being” + past participle (e.g., being seen, being told, being chosen). It functions as a noun and indicates that the subject is receiving the action. Examples:
- He doesn’t like being told what to do.
- Being chosen for the award was a great honor.
- She avoids being seen in public.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about infinitives and gerunds:
Q: How can I remember which verbs are followed by infinitives and which are followed by gerunds?
A: Unfortunately, there is no simple rule. The best way is to memorize lists of verbs that commonly take infinitives or gerunds.
Practice and exposure to the language will also help you internalize these patterns.
Q: What is the difference between a gerund and a present participle?
A: Both gerunds and present participles end in “-ing,” but they have different functions. A gerund functions as a noun, while a present participle functions as an adjective or part of a continuous verb tense.
For example, in the sentence “Swimming is good exercise,” “swimming” is a gerund. In the sentence “I am swimming,” “swimming” is a present participle.
Q: Can an infinitive or gerund have its own subject?
A: Yes, infinitives and gerunds can have their own subjects, often indicated by a possessive pronoun or noun. For example: “I appreciate his helping me” (gerund with subject “his”) and “I want him to go” (infinitive with subject “him”).
Q: Is it always wrong to use an infinitive after a preposition?
A: Generally, yes. However, there are a few fixed expressions where an infinitive might appear after “to,” such as “as to” (e.g., “as to whether”).
In most cases, though, a gerund is required after a preposition.
Q: What are bare infinitives and when are they used?
A: Bare infinitives are infinitives without the “to.” They are used after modal verbs (e.g., can, should, must, will, may, might), auxiliary verbs (e.g., do, does, did), and certain verbs like “let,” “make,” “see,” “hear,” and “help.” For example: “I can swim,” “He did go,” “Let me know,” “I saw him leave.”
Q: How do I avoid mistakes with infinitives and gerunds?
A: Practice, practice, practice! Pay attention to the verbs and prepositions that precede infinitives and gerunds.
Review lists of verbs and expressions that commonly take each form. Seek feedback on your writing and speaking to identify and correct errors.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of infinitives and gerunds is a significant step toward achieving fluency and accuracy in English. By understanding their definitions, structural elements, usage rules, and common exceptions, you can confidently incorporate these verb forms into your writing and speaking.
Remember to practice regularly, pay attention to verb patterns, and seek feedback to refine your skills. With dedication and consistent effort, you can master the intricacies of infinitives and gerunds and elevate your English language proficiency.