GERUNDS AND INFINITIVE 1. GERUNDS A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing.

" The gerund form of the verb "read" is "reading." However, it occupies some positions in a sentence that a noun ordinarily would, for example: subject, direct object, subject complement, and object of preposition. a. Gerund as subject: Reading helps you learn English. Traveling might satisfy your desire for new experiences. b. Gerund as direct object: They do not appreciate my singing. I enjoy reading. c. Gerund as subject complement: My cat's favorite activity is sleeping. Her favorite hobby is reading. d. Gerund as object of preposition: The police arrested him for speeding. Gerunds can be made negative by adding "not." He enjoys not working. The best thing for your health is not smoking.

A GERUND PHRASE: A gerund phrase is a group of words consisting of a gerund and the modifiers and/or nouns, pronouns or noun phrases that function as the direct objects, indirect objects, or complements of the action or state expressed in the gerund, such as: a. The gerund phrase functions as the subject of the sentence. Finding a needle in a haystack would be easier than what we're trying to do. Finding is the gerund; a needle is a direct object of action expressed in gerund and in a haystack is a prepositional phrase as adverb. b. The gerund phrase functions as the direct object of the verb appreciate. I hope that you appreciate my offering you this opportunity. my is a possessive pronoun adjective form, modifying the gerund; offering is the gerund; you is an indirect object of action expressed in gerund and this opportunity is a direct object of action expressed in gerund c. The gerund phrase functions as the subject complement. Tom's favorite tactic has been jabbering away to his constituents. jabbering away to is the gerund; his constituents is a direct object of action expressed in gerund

d. The gerund phrase functions as the object of the preposition for. You might get in trouble for faking an illness to avoid work. faking is the gerund; an illness is a direct object of action expressed in gerund and to avoid work is an infinitive phrase as adverb RULERS: There are rules to form gerunds correctly. The spelling of a gerund depends on the vowels and consonants at the end of the verb: a. If there is more than one consonant, just add ING: Think + ing = thinking b. If there is more than one vowel, just add ING: Beat + ing = beating c. If there is one vowel and one consonant, and the syllable is stressed, double the consonant and add ING: Hit + t + ing = hitting d. If there are one or more consonants and E, remove the E and add ING: Take + ing = taking e. In most other cases, just add ing: Study + ing = studying See + ing = seeing 2. INFINITIVE Infinitives are the "to" form of the verb. The infinitive form of "learn" is "to learn." However, the infinitive may function as a subject, direct object, subject complement, adjective, or adverb in a sentence.

Subject: To learn is important. Direct object: Everyone wanted to go. Subject complement: His ambition is to fly. Adjective: He lacked the strength to resist. Adverb: We must study to learn.

Infinitives can be made negative by adding "not." I decided not to go. The most important thing is not to give up.

3. COMPARING GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES a. 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 natural and would be more common in everyday English, while infinitives sound more abstract. Infinitives sound more philosophical Gerunds and infinitives as the subject of a sentence: Learning is important. NORMAL SUBJECT To learn is important. ABSTRACT SUBJECT - LESS COMMON

Gerunds and infinitives as the object of a verb

The most important thing is learning. NORMAL COMPLEMENT The most important thing is to learn. ABSTRACT COMPLEMENT - LESS COMMON

b. But, only gerunds can be the object of a preposition We are talking about writing in English c. As the object of a sentence, it is more difficult to choose between a gerund or an infinitive. In such situations, gerunds and infinitives are not normally interchangeable. Usually, the main verb in the sentence determines whether you use a gerund or an infinitive. Gerunds are often used when actions are real, concrete or completed I stopped smoking. (The smoking was real and happened until I stopped.) Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, abstract, or future I stopped to smoke. (I was doing something else, and I stopped; the smoking had not happened yet.) Some verbs are followed by gerunds as objects. Verbs Followed by a Gerund Example: They enjoyed working on the boat. admit delay finish permit resist advise deny forbid postpone resume appreciate detest get through practice risk avoid dislike have quit spend (time) can't help enjoy imagine recall suggest complete escape mind report tolerate consider excuse miss resent waste (time) Some verbs are followed by infinitives. Verbs Followed by an Infinitive Example: She agreed to speak before the game. agree consent have offer shoot aim continue hesitate ought start appear dare hope plan stop arrange decide hurry prefer strive ask deserve intend prepare swear attempt detest leap proceed threaten be able dislike leave promise try beg expect like propose use begin fail long refuse wait care forget love remember want choose get mean say wish condescend happen neglect

GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

AURA MARIA JALAL OSORIO

MISS YANILIS ROMERO

ENGLISH COURSE 3B

CENTRO DE IDIOMAS

UNIVERSIDAD DE CRDOBA