29/03/2015

HOW FORM INFINITIVES AND GERUNDS
EXPLANATIONS EXAMPLES
Infinitives are formed by adding to before a  We need to use infinitives in certain situations
verb (to + verb)
Gerunds are formed by adding –ing to a verb Other situations require using gerunds
USES OF INFINITIVES AND GERUNDS
EXPLANATIONS EXAMPLES
Infinitives and gerunds can be used: a) Using gerunds and infinitives can be tricky
‐ as a object b) To know which form is correct requires some
experiences
Infinitives and gerunds can be used: a) Some verbs require using gerunds
‐ as a objects of verbs b) With other verbs, you’ll need to use infinitives
Gerunds can be used: a) This unit and the following one will focus on
‐ as objects of prepositions using infinitives and gerunds
b) By the end, you should feel confident about
choosing the correct form most of the time
Infinitives can be used: a) But once you understand the principles, it’s not
‐ with adjectives phrases difficult to decide on the correct form.

INFINITIVES GERUNDS
– Usually refer to the – Usually refer to an action
possibility of an action that has already started or
occurring. The action has not has already been
happened yet experienced
Ex: I plan to study all weekend,  Ex: I don’t enjoy studying all
so I guess I can relax this weekend, but we have a big
afternoon examination on Monday
– Verb of desire (hope, wish,  – Certain verbs of emotion
plan, want, etc.) imply that (enjoy, appreciate, etc.) 
the speaker hasn’t imply that the speaker has 
experienced the action yet,  already experienced the
but maybe in the future. cause of that emotion.
I want to swim in the pool all Ex: I enjoy swimming on warm
afternoon Saturday afternoons.
– Other verbs of emotion (like, love, hate, can’t stand) can be 
followed by gerunds os infinitives without much difference in 
meaning
I can’t stand using my weekends to do chores
I can’t stand to use my weekends to do chores

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 29/03/2015

INFINITIVE
PATTERN 1 PATTERN 2 PATTERN 3
Main verb + Infinitive Main verb + noun/objec pron + infinitive Main verb (+ noun phrase) + infinitive
– Many verbs can be followed by either an
With certain verbs the Describe situations where the subject causes or
infinitive or a noun phrase (NP) + infinitive
infinitive immediately influence someone or something else to perform
– A few verbs of this kind must be use FOR
follows the main verb the action describe by the infinitive
before the NP
agree advise afford (for + NP + Infinitive)
appear allow arrange (for + NP + Infinitive)
care cause ask
claim command consent (for + NP + Infinitive)
decide convince Expect
demand encourage intend (for + NP + Infinitive)
deserve forbid need
hesitate force want
learn hire
neglect invite
offer order
pretend permit
refuse persuade
seem remind
tend teach
wait tell
trust
urge
warn

GERUND
PATTERN 1 PATTERN 2 PATTERN 3
– Main verb + Gerund
Main verb + Gerund Main verb (+Noun phrase) + Gerund
– Main verb + Noun phrase + infinitive
– Some verbs are followed by gerund when
Some verbs are 
refering to “everybody” Many verbs‐gerunds combinations can be 
followed immediately
– Some verbs are followed by infinitives when used with or without noun phrase
by a gerund
refering to a specific person
admit advise anticipate
avoid allow appreciate
can't help cause consider
consider encourage delay
deny forbid dislike
give up invite don't mind
include permit enjoy
keep on teach excuse
practice urge imagine
quit miss
recommend postpone
resist resent
suggest tolerance
understand