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Unit 23

Gerunds and Infinitives


Objective: To learn about the gerunds and infinitives.
Gerunds and Infinitives
Gerund
Gerund is a verbal noun. It looks like a verb, but acts as a noun. It is a noun made from a verb by adding
"-ing." The gerund form of the verb "read" is "reading." You can use a gerund as the subject, the object of
a verb, the object of a preposition or a complement.

Examples:
Smoking is prohibited here. [Subject]
I really like reading. [Object of a verb]
I am looking forward to meeting you. [Object of a preposition]
Her favourite hobby is reading. [Complement of a sentence]

Infinitives
Infinitives are the "to" form of the verb. The infinitive form of "learn" is "to learn." You can also use an
infinitive as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence.

Examples:
To learn is important. [Subject]
The most important thing is to learn. [Complement of a sentence]
He wants to learn [Object of a verb].

Verbs that are normally followed by the gerund form:-
Acknowledge | admit | adore | anticipate | appreciate | avoid | celebrate | confess | contemplate
delay | deny | describe | detest | discuss | dislike | dread | endure | enjoy
fancy | finish | imagine | involve | keep | justify | mention | mind | miss | omit | postpone | practise
quit | recall | recommend | regret | report | resent | resume | risk | suggest | tolerate | understand

Examples:
I adore reading your books.
They anticipated winning the election.
I detest going to discos.
We postponed making any decision in the meeting.
I quit smoking.
Do you recall seeing someone like that?

Verbs which are normally followed by the infinitive form:-
afford | agree | appear | arrange | ask | attempt | care | choose | claim | come | consent
dare | decide | demand | deserve | determine | elect | endeavour | expect | fail | get | guarantee
hate | help | hesitate | hope | hurry | incline | intend | learn | long | manage | mean | need
offer | plan | prepare | pretend | promise | refuse | resolve | say | seem | tend | threaten | want | wish

Examples:
I can't afford to go to the pub.
He agreed to practice more.
You should learn to express yourself.
They managed to fix the problem.

Verbs which can be followed by the gerund or infinitive form:-
Some verbs can be followed by the gerund or infinitive.
With no change in meaning
Begin | continue | hate | like | love | neglect | prefer | start | try

Examples:
He began to learn English when he was eight.
He began learning English when he was eight.
I hate to leave.
I hate leaving.

Note - We often use the gerund when we speak about things in general, and the infinitive for particular
situations.

With a change in meaning
Forget | remember | stop
Examples:
I forgot to feed the cat. (The cat is hungry - he has not been fed)
I forgot feeding the cat. (The cat is ok - I fed him and then forgot about it)

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