A gerund is a form of a verb that is used as a noun. All gerunds end in -ing. Since gerunds function as nouns, they occupy places in a sentence that a noun would, such as the subject, direct object, and object of a preposition.
You can use a gerund in the following ways:
- As a subject
- As a direct object
- As an object of a proposition
Often verbs are followed by gerunds. Study Table 5.13 for examples.
Gerund |
Verb Followed by a Gerund |
moving |
Denise considered moving to Paris. |
cleaning |
I hate cleaning the bathroom. |
winning |
Nate imagines winning an Oscar one day. |
worrying |
Mom says she has stopped worrying. |
taking |
She admitted taking the pumpkin. |
Infinitives
An infinitive is a form of a verb that comes after the word to and acts as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
to + verb = infinitive
Examples of infinitives include to move, to sleep, to look, to throw, to read, and to sneeze.
Often verbs are followed by infinitives. Study "Table 5.14" for examples.
Infinitive |
Verb Followed by Infinitive |
to help |
Jessica offered to help her move. |
to arrive |
Mick expects to arrive early. |
to win |
Sunita wants to win the writing contest. |
to close |
He forgot to close the curtains. |
to eat |
She likes to eat late. |
You may wonder which verbs can be followed by gerunds and which verbs can be followed by infinitives. With the following verbs, you can use either a gerund or an infinitive.
Base Form of Verb |
Sentences with Verbs Followed by Gerunds and Infinitives |
begin |
1. John began crying. |
2. John began to cry. |
|
hate |
1. Marie hated talking on the phone. |
2. Marie hated to talk on the phone. |
|
forget |
1. Wendell forgot paying the bills. |
2. Wendell forgot to pay the bills. |
|
like |
1. I liked leaving messages. |
2. I liked to leave messages. |
|
continue |
1. He continued listening to the news. |
2. He continued to listen to the news. |
|
start |
1. I will start recycling immediately. |
2. I will start to recycle immediately. |
|
try |
1. Mikhail will try climbing the tree. |
2. Mikhail will try to climb the tree. |
|
prefer |
1. I prefer baking. |
2. I prefer to bake. |
|
love |
1. Josh loves diving. |
2. Josh loves to dive. |
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