Identify whether each verb should be followed by only gerund, only infinitive or both learn with flashcards, games, and more for free. The infinitive is the form which has the word to in front of it. Gerunds may be used as a noun, and therefore, they act like any other noun. Section 43e explains that meaning does not change for certain sense verbs no matter whether they are followed by a gerund or an infinitive. Difference between gerund and infinitive compare the.
Feelsee hear watch someone do doing i heard him tell you about the letter. If the main verb is progressive, an infinitive not a gerund is usually used, as in c. When begin is used in noncontinuous tenses, you can either use a gerund or an infinitive. In this sentence, the gerund phrase traveling with a friend is the subject, made is the verb, the trip is the direct object, to new york is the indirect object, and more enjoyable is the object complement similar to a gerund, the infinitive form of a verb can also function as the subject of a sentence. How can we tell whether to use an infinitive or an ing form. In such expressions, use a gerund, not an infinitive, after. It is important studying each subject every day even if it is just a little bit. Gi003 gerund or infinitive fill in the correct form intermediate. Infinitive phrases normally referred to as infinitives are formed with the word to in front of a verb. Section 43f discusses differences in meaning between the present participle form and the past participle form of some modifiers.
Passive to be seen such disgusting scenes are not to be seen here. There are also some verbs that are followed by both gerunds and infinitives. Gerunds and infinitives are used in the same places. Gerunds and infinitives english verbs followed by gerunds, infinitives, or both. With more advanced students or if the difference between gerunds and infinitives is covered in your textbook, you will have to address them in more detail. An introductory infinitive lesson could use the same approach in order to give students some easy infinitive practice without overwhelming them with various structures and uses. A gerund is the ing form of a verb that functions the same as a noun. Gerund and infinitive worksheets are in pdf format and consist of a worksheet and answer sheet to check your results. Infinitive a verb in its base form precede by the word to.
Gerund and infinitive are parts of grammar that are very confusing for the students because of their similarities. This lesson focuses on the form and function of gerunds and infinitives. This example illustrates the difference between the infinitive and the gerund. What is the difference between an infinitive and a gerund as.
F irst i remembered and second, i told him about the meeting. Is there any difference in meaning between the upper sentences. When begin is used in continuous tenses, an infinitive is used. Jul 02, 2015 gerund or infinitive links at i have already published two posts on the use of gerunds and infinitives in english. Implied in this sentence is the verbal phrase, that has been preceding the verbal, broken. In this sentence, the words singing and laughing function as nouns, making them gerunds. Both gerunds and infinitives can be subjects in sentences, and both gerunds and infinitives can serve as the object of a verb. Both have similarities in the sense that they can be used to describe a reason or a purpose. Page 1 of 3 gerunds and infinitives doing what noun.
In the english language, there are three basic types of verbals. Whether you use a gerund or an infinitive depends on the main verb in the sentence. Gerund a verb in its present participle form ing which acts as a noun in a sentence. Gerundparticiple is the merged term for this ing word form. Vowa verlag pmp4 108 infinitive with or without to insert to. Gerunds, participles, and infinitives a verbal is a verb that functions as some other part of speech in a sentence. Though, that to can easily be replaced with a conjugated auxiliary or helping verb to shower, to eat, and to live are infinitives showering, eating, and living are the respective gerunds. Gerund and infinitive differences there are some verbs after which there is a difference in meaning after using gerund or infinitive form of the verb. In a nutshell, a word formed from a verb acting as a noun and ending in ing is a gerund.
What is the difference between a gerund and infinitive. In this sentence, the gerund phrase traveling with a friend is the subject, made is the verb, the trip is the direct object, to new york is the indirect object, and more enjoyable is the object complement similar to a gerund, the infinitive form of a verb can also function as the subject of a. Current analysis does not support the traditional gerund vs. May 26, 2008 difference between the use of gerund and to infinitive if this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. Have the students work with a partner to match the meanings to the sentences in worksheet 74a. Regret with the infinitive is used to give bad news in a formal, polite way. Word infinitive with an object gerund without an object advise i advise you to go by bus.
Difference between the use of gerund and toinfinitive if this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. The complement of an infinitive verb will often be its direct object, and the modifier will often be an adverb. Use the gerund when like is used in the sense of enjoy. What is the difference between an infinitive and a gerund. The compound term serves also to bring out the relationship between this form and the past participle. The infinitive can be used as the object of a verb. Gerunds are formed by adding ing to the end of a verb.
There are several differences between gerunds and infinitives and how they are used in english. Gerund and infinitive after verbs different meaning. Gerunds or verbal nouns take the same form as the present participle ving but their function is quite different. I know gerund is noun, but in many cases, verb itself also has a meaning of noun. He dreaded to think of the consequences of his actions. Gerunds and infinitives english verbs followed by gerunds. Both can be used as the subject or object of a sentence. Sometimes, however, native english speakers do not follow these differences consistently, and this is partly responsible for the confusion that so many. In the english language, some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive with little or no change in meaning. Consult the lists below to find out which form to use following which verbs. Infinitive examples active to see i hope to see you again. The infinitive is the form of the verb not changed for person, number or tense. The infinitive form is the base form of a verb with to.
English learners have difficulty with gerunds and infinitives. A gerund phrase will begin with a gerund, an ing word, and will include other modifiers andor objects. The gerund and the infinitive are forms of verbs that act as nouns. The problem is that some verbs are followed not by an infinitive but by a gerund ing form. Page 1 of 3 gerunds and infinitives doing what noun phrases do.
Page 1 of 15 verbals gerunds and participles gerunds a gerund is a verbal that ends in ing and functions as a noun. Words with a different meaning word infinitive meaning gerund meaning forget remember. As we saw in the verbs lesson, the infinitive is formed using the preposition to to walk, to eat, etc. Mar 29, 2017 the infinitive form is the base form of a verb with to. Now that you know how these two elements can work in similar ways, its time to note an important difference in the gerundinfinitive equation. It is important to study each subject every day even if it is just a little bit.
The term verbal indicates that a gerund, like the other two kinds of verbals, is based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being. So, a gerund is still a verb, but the phrase built around it is nominal, not verbal. The gerund makes a generalized statement about the action, with no sense of time. What is the difference between gerund and infinitive. Instead, it is analyzed as one form ing that functions in multiple ways. An infinitive phrase is the infinitive form of a verb plus any complements and modifiers. Gerund phrases always function as nouns, so they will be subjects. It has been long argued in the cognitively and functionally oriented literature that. Apr 15, 2012 some verbs are followed by infinitives while others are followed by gerunds. You can tell that to dance is an infinitive because to precedes the word dance. One man said that when someone uses gerund phrase instead of infinitive phrase with the empty subject, it can refer to kind of. These verbs can be followed by either the gerund or the infinitive with a change in meaning. Infinitives use to before the verb so the examples above would be to eat, to play, and to listen. If we use a gerund after need, then the sentcene has a passive meaning.
Through a variety of writing and speaking exercises, students learn when to choose a gerund or infinitive and when either choice is possible. If there is an object that you use, you can describe it using both a gerund as well as an infinitive. Feb 25, 2015 there are several differences between gerunds and infinitives and how they are used in english. The difference is that a gerund phrase will always function as a noun while. An infinitive is the base form a a verb, with or without to. Knowing the difference between gerund and infinitive can save you from making costly grammar mistakes when writing. Gerund or infinitive links at i have already published two posts on the use of gerunds and infinitives in english. Gerund and infinitive pdf worksheets english vocabulary. Following a verb gerund or infinitive both gerunds and infinitives can replace a noun as the object of a verb. Difference between the use of gerund and toinfinitive.
Lets make sure we are clear on what the difference between a gerund and the infinitive form of a verb is. Verbs followed by gerunds or infinitives different usage. And what is the difference of using between view and. It is used after another verb, after an adjective or noun or as the subject or object of a sentence. Defining a rule for the use of infinitive and gerund. Verbs followed by gerunds and infinitives complete these sixteen sentences to score your knowledge of gerunds and infinitives. The gerund and the toinfinitive as subject article pdf available in journal of english linguistics 314. Sometimes the meaning changes depending on which you use.
In other cases there is no difference in meaning whether we use gerund or infinitive. Some systematic organizing principles have been attempted, but they are complicated and full of exceptions. He threatened to shoot me if i didnt give him the key 4. The first post is called verb patterns preintermediate, and the second is called verb patterns again final solution. Gerunds and infinitives after verbs george brown college. How to explain the difference between gerund and infinitive.
Infinitive and gerund infinitive after an adjective example. The teacher taught the children to tell the truth 7. Some verbs have different meanings when they are follwed by a gerund or an infinitive. The gerund is formed using the ending ing walking, eating, etc. Introductioni the present paper takes up the issue of the semantic contrast between two english nonfinite complementizers the gerund and the toinfinitive. Page 1 of 15 verbals gerunds and participles gerunds. Difference between gerund and infinitive simply explained. Verbs followed by the gerund or the infinitive with littleno change in meaning begin continue hate start love prefer like attempt try examples.
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