Gerunds
All gerunds are verbs that end in “-ing” (without exception) and function as a noun within a sentence. They are commonly referred to as “verbal nouns”—words based on verbs that express an action or a state of being but serve another grammatical function. You can use a gerund as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence. Sometimes they can be difficult to identify in a sentence because all present participle words (and some other modifiers) also end in “-ing.” However, gerunds are not used in the present or past continuous tense.
Gerund Word Examples:
Gerunds in a Sentence:
Infinitives
Infinitives are a bit easier to identify. They’re typically formed by placing the word “to” in front of a simple present form of a verb, although there are a few exceptions. An infinitive will lose the “to” in front of it when it follows certain verbs, such as “feel,” “hear,” “help,” “let,” “make,” “see,” and “watch” (and other verbs associated with the senses) and when it follows modal verbs such as “could” and “should.” They’re also verbals (like gerunds), and can function as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns within a sentence. Because an infinitive does not function as a verb in a sentence, you cannot add “s,” “es,” “ed,” or “-ing” to the end of the verbal.
Examples of Infinitive Phrases:
Infinitive Phrases in a Sentence:
Notable Rules for Gerunds and Infinitives
Gerunds and infinitives are certainly easy to differentiate from each other when you’re simply identifying them in a sentence—gerunds end in “-ing” and typically infinitives have “to” in front of them. However, when you’re writing sentences yourself and must determine which form to use, it gets a bit more complicated, since the functions of gerunds and infinitives overlap. Gerunds always function as nouns, but infinitives often serve as nouns too. Deciding which to use can be unclear in many situations.
Writers primarily confuse gerunds and infinitives in cases in which one or the other functions as the direct object in a sentence (serves as a noun). Some verbs take gerunds as verbal direct objects exclusively, while other verbs take only infinitives as verbal direct objects, and some verbs can take either. Take note of the tables of verbs listed below, ordered according to the verbal direct object they take.
Verbs That Take Only Infinitives as Verbal Direct Objects
agree |
decide |
expect |
hesitate |
learn |
need |
promise |
neglect |
hope |
want |
plan |
attempt |
propose |
intend |
pretend |
deserve |
offer |
wait |
seem |
|
Examples:
(Incorrect: I hope hosting a party soon.)
(Incorrect: They will attempt discovering a cure for that disease.)
Verbs that Take Only Gerunds as Verbal Direct Objects
deny |
risk |
delay |
consider |
can’t help |
keep |
give up |
be fond of |
finish |
quit |
put off |
practice |
postpone |
tolerate |
suggest |
stop |
regret |
enjoy |
keep (on |
dislike |
admit |
avoid |
recall |
mind |
miss |
detest |
appreciate |
recommend |
get/be through |
get/be tired of |
get/be accustomed to |
get/be used to |
involve |
mention |
|
|
Examples:
(Incorrect: I avoid to drive in rush hour traffic whenever possible.)
(Incorrect: She will dislike to cook in a kitchen with old appliances.)
start |
begin |
continue |
hate |
prefer |
like |
love |
try |
remember |
|
|
|
Examples:
(Also Correct: Penelope likes going to the beach.)
(Also correct: George will begin running down the path.)
Tips for Using Gerunds and Infinitives
While gerunds and infinitives might be easy to identify in a sentence, they’re certainly not easy to write in a sentence. Keep the tables and tips above nearby for the next time gerunds and infinitives trip you up.