Undoubtedly, the proper use of gerunds and infinitives is a common conundrum among English learners. In this lesson, learn when to use gerunds and infinitives.
How to Form a Gerund
A gerund is a noun made from a verb added with “-ing.” On the other hand, a negative gerund is formed by adding “not.”
main verb + -ing
She enjoys working.
not + main verb + -ing
The best thing for your health is not drinking.
Uses of a Gerund
You can use a gerund as the subject, the direct object, the subject complement, the object complement, the object of a preposition, and object of a possessive.
Gerund as subject
Reading increases your knowledge.
Gerund as direct object
I enjoy reading.
Gerund as subject complement
My favorite hobby is reading.
Gerund as object complement
I heard my mother crying in her room.
Gerund as object of a preposition
She is focused on improving her English skills.
Gerund as object of a possessive
Stop with your whining already!
How to Form an Infinitive
Infinitives are the “to” form of the verb. Moreover, to form the negative infinitive, add “not”.
to + main verb
She appears to have an allergy to shellfish.
not + to + main verb
She decided not to tell the team about the issue.
Uses of an Infinitive
You can also use an infinitive as the subject, the direct object, subject complement, an adjective, or an adverb.
Infinitive as subject
To learn is important.
Infinitive as direct object
He wants to learn.
Infinitive as subject complement
The most important thing is to learn.
Infinitive as an adjective
They didn’t make the decision to go.
Infinitive as an adverb
She took the yoga class to try to relieve herself from stress.
Gerunds and Infinitives
Both gerunds and infinitives can be used as the subject or the complement of a sentence. However, as subjects or complements, gerunds usually sound more like normal, spoken English, whereas infinitives sound more abstract.
On the other hand, infinitives emphasize the possibility or potential for something and sound more philosophical. Moreover, if this sounds confusing, just remember that 90% of the time, you will use a gerund as the subject or complement of a sentence. Hence, in the following sentences, gerunds sound more natural and would be more common in everyday English.
As Subject or Complement
Learning is important. normal subject
To learn is important. abstract subject – less common
The most important thing is learning. normal complement
The most important thing is to learn. abstract complement – less common
As the object
It is more difficult to choose between a gerund or an infinitive. In such situations, both are not normally interchangeable. Usually, the main verb in the sentence determines whether you use a gerund or an infinitive.
He enjoysdancing. “Enjoy” requires a gerund.
He wantsto dance. “Want” requires an infinitive.
Some verbs are followed by gerunds as objects.
She suggestedgoing to a museum.
Ellen imagines swimming in the pool.
Verbs followed by gerunds: avoid, consider, recommend, postpone, etc.
Note that some verbs are followed by infinitives.
She wantsto travel abroad.
Ben needsto talk about his problems.
After the verbs agree, ask, decide, intend, fail, etc., an infinitive follows.
Additionally, some verbs are usually followed by a gerund. However, they can also be followed by a noun + infinitive. In this case, using a noun + infinitive will usually change who is performing the action.
I advisedtaking the train. in general
I advisedhimto take the train. He will take the train.
After a preposition
Gerunds are used after prepositions. Most commonly, these are “verb + preposition” combinations.
They admitted tocommitting the crime.
My husband made up forforgetting our anniversary.
He is thinking aboutstudying abroad.
Remember that there are many “adjective + preposition” combinations and “noun + preposition” combinations in English as well. These are also followed by gerunds.
Simon is scared offlying. adjective + preposition
Nelly is anxious abouttaking the examination. adjective + preposition
Her interest inbecoming a professional figure skater was well known. noun + preposition
Mark’s story aboutgoing inside a cave was really exciting. noun + preposition
Gerunds and Infinitives Exercise
Answer this exercise on gerunds and infinitives.
1. I don’t want _____ out tonight.
a. to eat
b. eating
c. eat
2. They avoided _____ him know about the surprise party.
a. to let
b. letting
c. let
3. She would like ______ on a vacation with him.
a. to go
b. going
c. go
4. The children enjoy _____ in the pool in summer.
a. to swim
b. swimming
c. swim
5. He kept ______ the boss questions during the meeting.
a. to ask
b. asking
c. ask
6. I considered ______ in Spain.
a. to live
b. living
c. live
7. Unfortunately, our family can’t afford _____ a house this year.
Use the Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention the specific time, but they do have one specific time in mind.
Examples:
I played soccer last Saturday.
I didn’t meet my friends last weekend.
Last year, I didn’t visit my relatives in Australia.
Did you have dinner last night?
I cleaned my room yesterday.
USE 2 : A Series of Completed Actions
We use the Simple Past to list a series of completed actions in the past. These actions happen 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on.
Examples:
I left work,met my friends, and ate at a nice restaurant.
He arrived from the airport at 9:00, checked into the hotel at 10:00, and met the others at 11:00.
Did you addflour, pour in the milk, and then add the eggs?
USE 3: Duration in Past
The Simple Past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past. A duration is a longer action often indicated by expressions such as: for two years, for five minutes, all day, all year, etc.
Examples:
I lived in Australia for two years.
Sandra studied Japanese for three years.
They did not dance at the party all night.
We talked on the phone for thirty minutes.
A: How long did you wait for her? B: I waitedfor thirty minutes.
USE 4: Habits in the Past
The Simple Past can also be used to describe a habit which stopped in the past. It can have the same meaning as “used to.” To make it clear that we are talking about a habit, we often add expressions such as: always, often, usually, never, when I was a child, when I was younger, etc.
Examples:
I learned the piano when I was a child.
He didn’t play soccer.
Didyou play a musical instrument when you were a kid?
She workedat a restaurant after school.
They never went to parties, they always stayed home.
USE 5: Past Facts or Generalizations
The Simple Past can also be used to describe past facts or generalizations which are no longer true. As in USE 4 above, this use of the Simple Past is quite similar to the expression “used to.”
Examples:
I didn’t like vegetables before.
She was shy as a child, but now she is very outgoing.
Did you live in Madrid when you were a child?
People paid much more to use the Internet in the past.
The future continuous is made up of two elements: the simple future of the verb ‘to be’ + the present participle (base+ing)
Subject
simple future of the verb ‘to be’
present participle
You
will be
cleaning.
She
will be
reading.
Affirmative
Negative
Interrogative
Negative Interrogative
I will be staying.
I won’t be staying.
Will I be staying?
Won’t I be staying?
She will be staying.
She won’t be staying.
Will she be staying?
Won’t she be staying?
FUNCTIONS
The Future Continuous refers to an unfinished action or event that will be in progress at a time later than now. The future continuous is used for quite a few different purposes.
*The future continuous can be used to project ourselves into the future.
EXAMPLES
This time next month I will be sun-bathing in Maldives.
By Christmas I will be skating like a pro.
Just think, next Monday you will be working in your new job.
*The future continuous can be used for predicting or guessing about future events.
EXAMPLES
She’ll be attending to the party, I expect.
I guess you’ll be feeing tired after working out in the gym.
You’ll be missing the sunshine once you’re back in England.
*In the interrogative form, the future continuous can be used to ask politely for information about the future.
EXAMPLES
Will you be bringing your cousin to the concert tonight?
Will Matthew be coming with us?
Will Anne be going to the party tonight?
Will they be staying in this hotel?
*The future continuous can be used to refer to continuous events that we expect to happen in the future.
EXAMPLES
I‘ll be seeing Tim at the meeting next week.
When he is in Canada, he will be staying with his aunt.
I’ll be eating with Kim this evening.
*When combined with still, the future continuous refers to events that are already happening now and that we expect to continue some time into the future.
EXAMPLES
In an hour I’ll still be washing my car.
Tomorrow she’ll still be suffering from flu.
Next year will she still be wearing a size six?
Won’t stock prices still be falling in the morning?
According to research, sea levels will still be rising in 20 years.
Going on package tours sound really interesting. However, if these trips include activities that endanger animals and violate their rights, is it still worth it?
A travel agent in Brighton is changing things by adapting “responsible tourism”.
Most employees consider having flexible work hours a perk. At Pivotal Software, they require their employees to clock in at exactly 9:06 in the morning.
Curious to know why? Click on the link below to read more about this unusual work rule.
1. Why are employees at Pivotal Software required to report to work at exactly 9:06 AM? 2. What do you think of this idea? 3. Would you like such rule to be implemented in your company? Why or why not? 4. Describe your work hours and your typical work day. 5. What are the things that you do to increase your productivity at work?
Work-life balance refers to the balance between a person’s career and his or her personal life. Many people work longer hours and have fewer holidays and days off, in part because of globalization, outsourcing, and a loss of job security. As a result, employees have less time for personal interests, friends and family. Such an imbalance can lead to reduced productivity, depression and high levels of stress. Although the employee makes the choice to work longer hours, the corporate culture is also responsible. Companies should educate their workers on the importance of a healthy work-life balance.
Watch the video carefully and be able to answer the discussion questions below:
Advice is usually a recommendation about what might be thought, said, or otherwise done to address a problem, make a decision, or manage a situation. Everyone needs to ask advice at some stage in their lives, whether it is from family, friends, colleagues, or another trusted individual. Likewise, we all offer advice, assistance, and support to someone in need of guidance at some point in time.
Watch the video on what advice women can give to younger girls. Be able to answer the discussion question that follows.
Discussion Questions:
What do you think about the advice that was given to young women?
What is the best piece of advice you have received from a family member?
What three pieces of advice will you give your children?
Do you often ask family and friends for advice?
Whose advice do you follow more, your parents’ or your friends’ advice?
