GERUNDS & INFINITIVES

A gerund is the ing-form of a verb used as a noun. Its position can be either as a subject or an object. Example : 1. Playing tennis is fun. (Subject) 2. We enjoy playing tennis. (Object)
An infinitive : to + the simple form of a verb (e.g., to talk, to play, to write)

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a. b. c. d. e.

Using Gerunds as the Objects of Prepositions We talked about going to Canada for our vacation. Mary is in charge of organizing the meeting. I am interested in learning more about your work. I am used to sleeping with the window open. I object to changing my plans at this late date.

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Using Gerunds after Some Certain Verbs

I enjoy playing tennis. b. He quit smoking. c. She finished eating dinner 30 minutes ago. d. Would you mind closing the door?
a.

Verb + Gerund Enjoy, quit, avoid, delay, mind, consider, appreciate, finish, keep, discuss, postpone, mention, suggest, stop* *Stop can also be followed by an infinitive.

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Go + Gerund a. I will go shopping. b. We went fishing yesterday. c. Did you go dancing last night? d. Please go sleeping!

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Compare the following : Stop + gerund When the professor entered the room, the students stop talking. The room became quiet. Stop + infinitive While I was walking down the street, I ran into an old friend. I stopped to talk to him. (I stopped walking in order to talk to him).

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Common verbs followed by either infinitives or gerungs Group A: Verb + infinitive or gerund (with no difference in meaning) begin, like, hate, start, love cant stand, continue, prefer, cant bear

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a. It began to rain. / It began raining. b. I started to work. / I started working. c. It was beginning to rain. [If the main verb is progressive, an infinitive (not a gerund) is usually used].

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Group B: Verb + infinitive or gerund (with a difference in meaning) remember, regret, forget, try a. Judy always remember to lock the door. (Remember to perform responsibility, duty, or task). b. I remember seeing the Alps for the first time. The sight was impressive. (Remember something that happened in the past).

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c. He often forgets to lock the door. (Forget to perform responsibility, duty, or task). d. Ill never forget seeing Alps for the first time. (Forget something that happened in the past). e. I must try to learn English. (Make an effort). f. The room is hot. I tried opening the window, but that didnt help. So I tried turning on the fan, but the room was still hot. (Experiment with a new or different approach to see if it works).