STRUCTURES: GERUNDS & INFINITIVES

A. GERUNDS

The Gerund and the Present Participle of verbs have the same '‐ING' form. When the '‐ING' form is used as a verb it is called the Present Participle. E.g. Walking along the pier, he met an old friend.

When the '‐ING' form is used as a noun it is called the Gerund. E.g. I like fishing in mountain rivers.

1. With verbs and verbal expressions.

Certain verbs, phrasal verbs and expressions are always followed by the Gerund.

ƒ The Gerund must be used after the following verbs:

ADMIT, ANTICIPATE, AVOID, CONSIDER, DEFER, DELAY, DETEST, DREAD, ENJOY, EXCUSE, FANCY, FINISH, FORGIVE, IMAGINE, INVOLVE, KEEP (= CONTINUE), MIND (= OBJECT), MISS, PARDON, POSTPONE, PREVENT, RECOLLECT, RESENT, RESIST, RISK, SAVE, STOP (= CEASE), SUGGEST, UNDERSTAND.

E.g. I detest swimming in cold water. He doesn't fancy swimming in that dirty lake. Can you imagine swimming in the Dead Sea?.

The following may also take a preposition before the Gerund, particularly when they have a direct object and a preposition:

EXCUSE, FORGIVE, INVOLVE, PARDON, PREVENT, SAVE.

E.g. He saved the little boy from drowning in the canal.

ƒ The following phrasal verbs also take the Gerund:

BE FOR / AGAINST, CARE FOR, GIVE UP, KEEP ON, LEAVE OFF, LOOK FORWARD TO, PUT OFF, SEE ABOUT, TAKE TO.

E.g. I'm all for learning to row and sail at school. She doesn't care for rowing but is looking forward to sailing at the Isle of Wight. Would you see about hiring a rowing boat for this afternoon?.

ƒ Use the Gerund after these expressions as well:

Adapted from: Thomson & Martinet, A Practical English Grammar, R. Murphy, English Grammar in Use.

CAN'T HELP, CAN'T STAND, IT'S NO USE, IT'S NO GOOD, IT'S WORTH(WHILE), DON'T MIND, WOULDN'T MIND, BE ACCUSTOMED TO, BE USED TO.

E.g. I can't help thinking it would be fun to live on a houseboat. Well, it's no use trying to persuade me, I can't stand going on the water. Do you think it's worthwhile waiting for the ferry?. Oh, I don't mind staying here, I'm used to waiting for it.

The verb ‘MIND’ is generally used in the negative or as a question.

E.g. I wouldn't mind sailing on that yacht. Would you mind moving your boat along the quay? (a polite request). Would you mind my moving your boat? (a polite question meaning ‘Do you have any objection to my moving your boat?’).

2. With prepositions.

If a verb follows a preposition the Gerund forms must be used.

E.g. What about swimming to the island and back before lunch?. After casting anchor the sailors went ashore. He was fined for smuggling brandy into the country on his yacht. See also 1.‐ above.

3. As the subject of a sentence.

ƒ When the action is being considered in a general sense then the Gerund is used. E.g. Swimming underwater is easy if you remember to breathe deeply before going down.

ƒ When the action is being considered as a habit the Gerund is used. E.g. Swimming every day is marvellous exercise and good for the figure.

ƒ When the action is prohibited the Gerund is often used. E.g. No smoking; no parking; talking is not allowed.

4. With adjectives.

ƒ The Gerund is used after ‘BUSY’ and ‘WORTH’.

E.g. He was busy mending the fishing nets. It isn't worth fishing in that river as it's polluted.

ƒ A few adjectives accompanied by special prepositions are followed by the Gerund. They are: KEEN ON, PROUD OF, ACCUSTOMED TO, USED TO, EXEMPT FROM.

Adapted from: Thomson & Martinet, A Practical English Grammar, R. Murphy, English Grammar in Use.

E.g. He was very keen on sailing and scent to the coast most weekends. The Boys' Club was very proud of winning the prize for the second year running. She was exempt from paying the yacht club fees.

5. The Perfect Gerund.

This can be used instead of the Present Gerund when a past action is being considered. It is formed with 'HAVING' followed by the Past Participle. E.g. The Boys' Club was very proud of having won the prize last year.

6. The Passive Gerund.

This is formed with 'BEING' or 'HAVING BEEN' followed by the Past Participle. E.g. I resent being made to swim two lengths of the baths directly after lunch. The wreckage of the pirate ship rose to the surface two days after having been sunk.

B. INFINITIVES

Certain verbs are followed by ‘TO’ + Infinitive, others by the Infinitive without ‘TO’, and others by an object + ‘TO’ + Infinitive.

1. Verbs followed by ‘TO’ + Infinitive.

AFFORD, AGREE, AIM, APPEAR, ARRANGE, BOTHER, CARE, CHANCE, CLAIM, CONSENT, DECIDE, DEMAND, ENDEAVOUR, FAIL, GET(= REACH), HAPPEN, HAVE (= BE OBLIGED), HESITATE, HOPE, LEARN, LONG, MANAGE, OFFER, PREPARE, PRETEND, PROCEED, PROMISE, REFUSE, RESOLVE, SEEK, SEEM, SWEAR, TEND, THREATEN, TROUBLE, UNDERTAKE, VOLUNTEER.

E. g. I can't afford to buy a new boat this year. He arranged to meet his friend at the boathouse. She decided to go to the river in the afternoon, as the weather was fine. I have to reach the harbour before the fishing boats leave. I hope to learn to swim before the end of my holiday. Don't pretend to like him, you know you don't really. It seems to be an ideal day for sailing. It is no trouble to wait another five minutes for your friend.

2. Verbs followed by either ‘TO’ + Infinitive or object + ‘TO’ + Infinitive.

ASK, BEG, EXPECT, HATE, HELP, INTEND, LIKE, LOVE, MEAN, PREFER, WANT, WISH. (some of them also take a Gerund ‐ see Gerund section).

E.g. I asked to lease the room. Adapted from: Thomson & Martinet, A Practical English Grammar, R. Murphy, English Grammar in Use.

He asked me to lease the room. I want to go to the seaside but my husband wants me to go to the mountains.

3. Verbs followed by object + ‘TO’ + Infinitive.

ADVISE, ALLOW, COMPEL, ENCOURAGE, FORBID, INSTRUCT, INVITE, OBLIGE, ORDER, PERMIT, REMIND, REQUEST, TEACH, TELL, TEMPT, URGE, WARN.

E.g. Children should be encouraged to swim as early as possible. He ordered us to abandon ship as it capsized. She reminded me to phone the docks about the arrival of the ship. It s impossible to teach him to swim as he’s afraid of the water. I've warned you not to go near the water before.

4. Auxiliaries followed by Infinitive without ‘TO’.

WILL, SHALL, SHOULD, WOULD, CAN, DO, MAY, MUST.

E.g. He will go to the harbour in the morning. Not many people can swim the Channel. The children mustn’t swim in that lake, it’s too dirty.

Exception: OUGHT TO

5. Verbs followed by object + Infinitive without ‘TO’.

LET, MAKE, HELP. (also with ‘TO’)

E.g. He let me steer the boat up the river. The Captain made me sit down as the boat was tossing about on the waves. He helped me secure the rope to the post on the quay.

Prepositions ‘EXCEPT’ and ‘BUT’ are followed by the Infinitive without ‘TO’.

E.g. He is able to do most things well except swim. The sailor did nothing but complain about the food.

6. Infinitive of purpose.

An infinitive is often used to indicate the reason why somebody does something. E.g. He went to meet his friend off the boat. He paused on the way to the harbour to hate a rest.

The phrases 'SO AS TO' and 'IN ORDER TO' intensify the idea of purpose.

E.g. He joined the navy in order to see the world. Adapted from: Thomson & Martinet, A Practical English Grammar, R. Murphy, English Grammar in Use.

The construction ‘FOR’ + object + ‘TO’ + Infinitive also has the meaning of purpose. E.g. The results of the race were put up on the board for the competitors to see.

7. Infinitive after the verb 'TO BE' + adjective.

‘TO’ + Infinitive is used after adjectives of emotion such as:

AMAZED, ANGRY, ASHAMED, ASTONISHED, BEWILDERED, DELIGHTED, DISAPPOINTED, DISGUSTED, EXCITED, GLAD, HAPPY, OVERJOYED, PLEASED, PROUD, SAD, SHOCKED, SORRY, SURPRISED, UPSET.

E.g. I was angry to find my boat had drifted away on the tide. They were delighted to see their father standing on the deck. She was overjoyed to receive the first prize. He was very upset to hear that all the places on the cruise were already booked.

Other adjectives which can be followed by ‘TO’ + Infinitive are:

AWKWARD, DIFFICULT, EASY, HARD, POSSIBLE, etc.

E.g. The gangplanks were difficult to walk up. It was hard to cast off in the choppy sea.

8. 'TO BE' + 'TO' + lnfinitive.

‘TO’ + Infinitive can be used directly after the verb 'TO BE' with the meanings:

• Of an order or command, or to give instructions. E.g. The sailors are to go to the bridge and wait for the captain.

• Of an obligation or fulfilment of a plan. E.g. Two of the passengers are to get married at the end of the cruise.

9. Infinitive with ‘TOO’.

The constructions ‘TOO’ + adjective, or ‘TOO MUCH’ / ‘TOO MANY’ / ‘TOO LITTLE’ / ‘TOO FEW’ + noun, can be followed by ‘TO’ + Infinitive. E.g. It was too late to save the drowning boy as he had gone down for the third time.

‘FOR’ + pronoun / noun is often added to this construction. E.g. It was too late for the sailor to rescue the drowning boy.

10. Infinitive with ‘ENOUGH’.

Adapted from: Thomson & Martinet, A Practical English Grammar, R. Murphy, English Grammar in Use.

E.g. He was quick enough to stop the paddle floating away.

A noun can be used after enough in this construction. E.g. There wasn’t enough money to buy a yacht.

11. The Perfect Infinitive.

This is formed with the Infinitive of 'HAVE' + a Past Participle; it is used with auxiliary verbs. E.g. I ought to have gone to the bank but I forgot. She needn’t have worried about the time; her friend was late also. They might have crossed the Atlantic on a raft, but we haven’t had any news. The boat can’t have left already, it’s not due to go until ten o’clock.

C. VERBS FOLLOWED BY GERUND OR INFINITIVE.

Certain verbs can be followed by either Gerund or Infinitive, sometimes with a different meaning.

ADVISE, ALLOW, DESERVE, DREAD, FORGET, HATE, LIKE, LOVE, MEAN, NEED, PERMIT, PREFER, PROPOSE, RECOMMEND, REGRET, REMEMBER, REQUIRE, START, STOP, TRY, WANT.

Certain expressions and the phrasal verb ‘GO ON’ can also be used with either Gerund or Infinitive.

CAN'T BEAR, USED TO, BE AFRAID OF, GO ON.

1. Verbs expressing feelings or attitudes.

With many of the verbs expressing feelings or attitudes such as LIKE, LOVE, PREFER, HATE, DREAD, CAN'T BEAR, the Gerund is used when the action is thought of in a general sense. E.g. I like swimming in open air swimming pools.

An Infinitive is used when a particular action at a specific time is thought of. E.g. I'd like to swim in the new pool when it opens.

2. REMEMBER, FORGET, REGRET.

After the verbs REMEMBER, FORGET, REGRET the Gerund is used to refer to an action which takes place before the main verb. E.g. I remember telling him about the fair on Saturday. (telling is the first action; remembering the second).

The Infinitive is used to refer to an action which takes place after the main verb.

E.g. I'll remember to tell him about the fair when I see him. Adapted from: Thomson & Martinet, A Practical English Grammar, R. Murphy, English Grammar in Use.

(remember, first action; tell, second action).

3. NEED, WANT, DESERVE, REQUIRE. The verbs NEED, WANT, DESERVE, REQUIRE, can take the Gerund but can also be followed by the Passive Infinitive, which is equivalent in meaning. E.g. That fairground machine needs seeing to. Or That fairground machine needs to be seen to.

4. TRY.

‘TRY’ used with an Infinitive has the meaning of 'attempt' and implies difficulty. E.g. He tried to sail across the bay but there wasn't enough wind.

‘TRY’ used with a Gerund has the meaning of 'to make a test' and implies no difficulty. E.g. He tried sailing across the bay first and then round the headland.

5. PROPOSE.

‘PROPOSE’ used with an Infinitive generally has the meaning of 'intend'. E.g. She proposes to live on a houseboat all winter, I think she's mad.

‘PROPOSE’ used with a Gerund has the meaning of 'suggest'. E.g. I propose going to the regatta on Sunday.

6. MEAN.

‘MEAN’ used with an Infinitive has the meaning of 'intend'. E.g. I mean to find out who stole the yacht club funds.

‘MEAN’ used with a Gerund has the meaning of 'involve'. E.g. I'll learn how to row even if it means practising all day.

7. STOP.

‘STOP’ used with an Infinitive has the meaning of 'halt'. E.g. I stopped to speak to the Captain of the ship, as I wanted his advice.

‘STOP’ used with a Gerund has the meaning of 'cease'. E.g. I stopped smoking when I started to train for the Olympics.

8. GO ON.

The phrasal verb ‘GO ON’ meaning 'continue' can be followed by an Infinitive implying that a new item, or the next item, is being introduced.

Adapted from: Thomson & Martinet, A Practical English Grammar, R. Murphy, English Grammar in Use.

E.g. The speaker, having finished his main theme, went on to talk about minor problems of sailing.

'GO ON' followed by a Gerund implies that an existing state of affairs continues. E.g. The speaker went on talking about sailing although most of his audience had gone home.

9. USED TO.

‘USED TO’ used with an Infinitive implies a past action or habit which no longer takes place. E.g. I used to live on a houseboat but I don't now.

‘TO BE USED TO’ used with a Gerund (see Gerund section) has the meaning of 'to be accustomed to'. E.g. I am used to sailing single‐handed, I don't need any help.

EXERCISES

Put the verb into the gerund or the infinitive: 1) She delayed (get) out of bed. . 2) He demanded (speak) to the manager. . 3) I offered (help). . 4) I miss (go) to the beach. . 5) We postponed (do). . 6) I'd hate (arrive) too late. . 7) She admitted (steal) the money. . 8) I chose (work) here. . 9) She waited (buy) a drink. . 10) I really appreciate (be) on holiday. . 11) I couldn't help (laugh). . 12) It seems (be) raining. . 13) I considered (move) to Spain. . 14) They practised (speak). . 15) Finally I managed (finish) the work. . 16) I really can't stand (wait) for the bus. . 17) Unfortunately, we can't afford (buy) a new car this year. . 18) She risked (be) late. . 19) I'd love (come) with you. . 20) I prepared (go) on holiday

Source: http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/gerunds-and-infinitives-exercise-2.html

Adapted from: Thomson & Martinet, A Practical English Grammar, R. Murphy, English Grammar in Use.