Gerunds & infinitives
Gerunds
A gerund is the noun form of a verb that ends in -ing (drinking, eating, sleeping).
It can be either the subject or object of a sentence.
For example:
Reading is my favourite free time activity.
(noun)
I love reading.
(object)
We generally use gerunds after a preposition.
Example:
I was thinking about organising a festival.
(preposition + gerund)
Infinitives
An infinitive is “to+ base form” (to sleep, to swim, to relax).
An infinitive can also be either a noun or an object. However, using to + infinitive as a noun sounds very formal, and it is less commonly used. Gerunds are generally used as a noun instead.
Examples:
I want to sleep 8 hours a day.
(object)
To sleep 8 hours a day is the first step to a healthy life.
(noun)
Infinitives are generally used after an adjective..
Example:
It is dangerous to swim in this river.
(adjective + infinitive)
Whenever there are two verbs together, the second one- unless it is a modal verb- must be either a gerund or to + infinitive.
Check this out:
I want sleep. X
I want to sleep. ✔
I like cook. X
I like cooking. ✔
Certain verbs are followed by to + infinitive:
- need
- expect
- Offer
- Want
- Promise
- Decide
- Agree
- Ask
- plan
For example:
I need to chill out.
Other verbs are followed by gerunds:
- Enjoy
- Discuss
- Deny
- Consider
- Live
For example:
I enjoy reading books.
Even though the verbs hate – love- like can be used with both to + infinitives and gerunds (without changing its meaning), they are more commonly used followed by gerunds.
Other verbs that can be followed by either gerund or infinitives with no change of meaning are:
- Prefer
- Continue
- Begin
For example:
I prefer reading poetry.
I prefer to read poetry.
However, there are other verbs that can be followed by both gerunds and infinitives but the meaning changes.
For example:
STOP
He stopped eating junk food. (He used to eat junk food but then he quit)
He stopped to eat junk food. (He took a break of what he was doing so as to eat junk food)
I hope this post helps you clarify concepts regarding gerunds and infinitives and that you will start using them in your next opportunity to do so.