Gerunds and Infinitives

What is a Gerund?
A gerund is a noun made from a verb. To make a gerund, you add "-ing" to the verb.
For example:
In the sentence "I swim every day", the word "swim" is a verb.
In the sentence "I like swimming", the word "swimming" is a noun.
Therefore, "swimming" is a gerund.
Second example:
In the sentence "She reads several books a week", the word "read" is a verb.
In the sentence "Reading is imortant", the word "reading" is a noun.
Therefore, "reading" is a gerund.
More examples of gerunds: buying, fishing, running, watching, telling, and so forth.
The word "gerund" actually comes from the !atin word gerere, which means "do".
"ou could say this actually makes sense# the gerund describes an action, something you do.
$erunds are often used when actions are real or completed.
Examples:
%&ote how the main underlined verb relates to real or comleted actions.'
She stoed smoking.
I finished doing my homework.
They kee on fighting.
"ou recommended waiting until tomorrow.
(e recalled falling aslee on the couch.
She ractices laying those drums all the time.
)ohn finished fi*ing the car.
The +ob involves dealing with animals.
,rian mentioned staying u late.
They suggested not keeing the luggage.
What is an Infinitive?
An infinitive is the basic form of the verb - "to".
Examples: to buy, to fish, to run, to watch, to tell, and so forth.
Example Sentences:
"I want to swim."
"They asked us to leave."
"To be, or not to be . that is the /uestion."
"The goal is to win."
The word "infinitive" comes form the !atin word infinitus, from in- %not' andfinitus %finished, limited'.
"ou could say this actually makes sense# the infinitive describes an action, but unlike a regular verb, it
is not limited in any way.
The regular verb is limited to the tense and sub+ect. 0or e*amle, in the sentence "1iana danced" the
action is limited to 1iana and to the ast.
(owever, the infinitive is unlimited. In the sentence "To dance is easy", the action is not limited to any
sub+ect or to any time.
Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, general, or future.
Examples:
%&ote how the main underlined verb relates to unreal, general, or future actions.'
2ate agreed to come.
I hoe to see you soon.
3e lan to finish this shortly.
They decided to return home.
She romised to sto smoking.
3e agreed never to talk about it again.
(e offered to sell the house.
I refuse to ay4
"ou seem to be disaointed.
She asked him not to leave.
I want to drink.
They need to get u early.
Gerunds and Infinitives Exercise 01
1. He is determined (win) that race.
2. He lay in bed (plan) the days to come.
3. We went (run) in the morning.
4. Her fear of spiders made (travel) difficult.
. !hey don"t mind (wait) outside.
#. !he problem is (get) there on time.
$. % am accustomed to (ta&e care) of myself.
'. % want him (paint) the wall.
(. (be)) or (not be)) that is the *uestion.
1+. !his guy is &nown for (brea&) the rules.
11. ,ue en-oys (dance).
12. !he advantages of (go) by train were clearly visible.
13. .our advice (plan) ahead was e/cellent.
14. .our addiction to (drin&) will not serve you well.
1. % am pleased (meet) you.
Gerunds and Infinitives Exercise 02
1. !he government encourages (recycle).
2. ,he is tired of (wash) dishes every night.
3. He understood her (leave) so soon.
4. He went (fish) with his father.
. He wants (ta&e) the test.
#. 0elly offered (ta&e) us home.
$. Her reaction to (win) the 1scar was a bit odd.
'. !hey want (play) with us.
(. % advised (start) the game.
1+. .our support enabled us (finish) on time.
11. He denied (ta&e) the car.
12. 2ussell was discouraged by (not win) that match.
13. % promised you (ta&e care) of 3onathan.
14. His decision (*uit) was very surprising.
1. 4avid is starting (wor&) there ne/t wee&.
Gerunds and Infinitives Exercise 03
1. % am trying the process of billing (bill).
2. % am very surprised (see) how nice she really is.
3. !hey plan (serve) hot dogs at the party.
4. !hey are eager (start).
. He was proud (receive) such good reviews.
#. .ou seem (be) disappointed.
$. !hey stopped (fight).
'. How much is she prepared (pay)5
(. 3ane chose (stay) at home.
1+. 3ane &eeps (forget) her &eys.
11. % heard her story about (run away) from the police.
12. % got !ailor (fi/) the dish washer.
13. !hey would li&e (chat) for a while.
14. ,he told you (shut up).
1. We are beginning (see) the effects.
Gerunds and Infinitives Exercise 04
1. 6y reasons for (accept) the position are well &nown.
2. 6y parents don"t allow my sister (eat) much candy.
3. !he fro7en la&e is li&ely (melt) soon.
4. We en-oy (watch) movies.
. !he opportunity (see) 2ome e/cited her.
#. We hope (be) ready soon.
$. !his teacher doesn"t permit students (spea&) in class.
'. !he doctor advised (rest) a couple of days.
(. We don"t permit (par&) outside.
1+. !hey are addicted to (drin&) 8o&e.
11. 9aura &eeps (repeat) the same sentence.
12. % need (tal&) with my wife about it.
13. ,he as&ed (sit down).
14. ,he doesn"t have enough time (have) two -obs.
1. ,he gets full credit for (rehabilitate) the neighborhood.
Gerunds and Infinitives Final Test
1. .ou anticipated (sell) that house.
2. We are always happy (help).
3. We are dedicated to (change) how things wor&.
4. We are going (bowl) tomorrow night.
. We are really e/cited about (climb) that mountain.
#. !hey are going (camp) ne/t wee&.
$. !he beep sound reminded me (turn off) the washing machine.
'. !he teacher doesn"t permit (spea&) in class.
(. We waited (see) the doctor.
1+. We are very happy about you (get) a new -ob.
11. He forgot (turn off) the toaster) and the whole house burned down.
12. He promised (finish) his chores.
13. % need (tal&) with you.
14. % advised her (have) some soup.
1. He is responsible for (paint) all the buildings.
1#. He leaned against the wall (smile) at her.
1$. !hey avoid (visit) us.
1'. :shley recalled (not loc&) the door.
1(. % didn"t have any problems (find) a replacement.
2+. !hey decided (coo&) some rice.
21. % urge you (start).
22. !he officer ordered him (stop).
23. .ou mentioned (ta&e) a brea&.
24. !heir goal (bring) peace gave hope to everyone.
2. % am good enough (pass) the audition.
2#. He started (shout) at his friends.
2$. % am shoc&ed (see) these two together.
2'. He decided (not run) for president.
2(. !hey &ept (tal&).
3+. % am sorry (say) this) but % won"t go.
31. 3ac& completed (fi/) the car.
32. %t was difficult (obtain) his permission.
33. % appreciate you (help) me.
34. !hey are beginning (sing).
3. 6y memories of (travel) are well recorded in my albums.
3#. !hey would li&e us (show) them our products.
3$. % dreaded (ta&e) that trip.
3'. % don"t mind (go) with you.
3(. He claimed (be) a 2omeo.
4+. ,he can"t help (be) so charming.
Verbs Followed
Only by Gerunds
admit
(e admitted stealing the ring.
anticipate
3e didn5t anticiate winning this match.
appreciate
I really areciate you coming.
avoid
!et5s avoid being late.
cant !elp
I can5t hel counting those calories.
complete
(e comleted baking the ale ie.
consider
She never considered moving to 6ngland.
delay
3e delayed moving to the new house until the sring.
deny
(e will deny stealing that car.
despise
She desises asking for favors.
discuss
3e discussed buying a bigger aartment.
disli"e
She dislikes cooking and baking.
dont mind
I don5t mind waiting.
en#oy
She en+oys reading.
forgive
7an you forgive me for not fi*ing the car8
imagine
7an you imagine living on the moon8
involve
The new ro+ect involves writing and rewriting many reorts.
"eep
She kees coming late4
mention
I never mentioned meeting him.
mind
3ill he mind switching rooms8
miss
I miss chatting with you.
postpone
!et5s ostone going out of town.
practice
(e ractices laying the guitar daily.
recall
7an you recall ordering this roduct8
recommend
The doctor recommends resting in bed.
report
They reorted seeing him leave with a stranger.
resent
(e resents doing it all by himself.
resist
I can5t resist liking him.
resume
They resumed talking after the teacher left.
ris"
3ould you risk losing everything8
suggest
I suggest not taking him too seriously.
tolerate
3e can5t tolerate being screamed at.
understand
(e couldn5t understand her leaving so suddenly.
Verbs Followed
Only by Infinitives
agree
They agreed to give him a try.
appear
(e aeared to know everything.
arrange
I have arranged to meet him on 9onday.
as"
She asked to see her doctor.
care
(e doesn5t care to answer
c!oose
3e chose to ignore it.
claim
(e claims to be an e*ert.
decide
She decided not to go to the arty.
demand
I demand to see the erson in charge4
deserve
(e deserves to win the contest.
expect
(e e*ected to be home sooner.
fail
They failed to follow the instructions.
get
It5s not fair that she gets to see him before the others.
!appen
I haened to ass by, so we had a chat.
!esitate
1on5t hesitate to call.
!ope
I hoe to see you soon.
intend
She didn5t intend to hurt you.
"now !ow
(e knows how to to run a business.
learn
(e learned to seak Sanish very /uickly.
manage
3e managed to finish everything on time.
offer
(e offered to go for a walk.
plan
"ou lanned to meet us here.
prepare
3e were rearing to leave when the hone rang.
pretend
(e retended not to hear a word.
promise
She romised to take us with her ne*t time.
refuse
I refuse to cooerate.
seem
It seems to be broken.
swear
(e swore to revenge.
tend
These lants tend to grow slowly.
t!reaten
(e has threatened to hurt us.
underta"e
She undertook to design the new collection.
wait
The runners were waiting to start.
want
I want to seak with you in rivate.
wis!
I wish to change my address.
would li"e
I would like to add something before we continue.
yearn
She yearns to go free.