Gerunds

A gerund is a verbal that ends in -ing and functions as a noun. 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. However, since
a gerund functions as a noun, it occupies some positions in a sentence that a noun ordinarily would, for
example: subject, direct object, subject complement, and object of preposition.

Gerund as subject:
Traveling might satisfy your desire for new experiences. (Traveling is the gerund.)
The study abroad program might satisfy your desire for new experiences. (The gerund has been
removed.)

Gerund as direct object:

They do not appreciate my singing. (The gerund is singing.)
They do not appreciate my assistance. (The gerund has been removed)

Gerund as subject complement:

My cat's favorite activity is sleeping. (The gerund is sleeping.)
My cat's favorite food is salmon. (The gerund has been removed.)

Gerund as object of preposition:

The police arrested him for speeding. (The gerund is speeding.)
The police arrested him for criminal activity. (The gerund has been removed.)

A Gerund Phrase is a group of words consisting of a gerund and the modifier(s) and/or (pro)noun(s) or noun
phrase(s) that function as the direct object(s), indirect object(s), or complement(s) of the action or state
expressed in the gerund, such as:

The gerund phrase functions as the subject of the sentence.

Finding a needle in a haystack would be easier than what we're trying to do.

Finding (gerund)
a needle (direct object of action expressed in gerund)
in a haystack (prepositional phrase as adverb)

The gerund phrase functions as the direct object of the verb appreciate.

I hope that you appreciate my offering you this opportunity.

my (possessive pronoun adjective form, modifying the gerund)

offering (gerund)
you (indirect object of action expressed in gerund)
this opportunity (direct object of action expressed in gerund)

The gerund phrase functions as the subject complement.

1
Newt's favorite tactic has been lying to his constituents.

lying to (gerund)
his constituents (direct object of action expressed in gerund)

The gerund phrase functions as the object of the preposition for.

You might get in trouble for faking an illness to avoid work.

faking (gerund)
an illness (direct object of action expressed in gerund)
to avoid work (infinitive phrase as adverb)

The gerund phrase functions as the subject of the sentence.

Being the boss made Jeff feel uneasy.

Being (gerund)
the boss (subject complement for Jeff, via state of being expressed in gerund)

Punctuation

A gerund virtually never requires any punctuation with it.

Points to remember:

1. A gerund is a verbal ending in -ing that is used as a noun.

2. A gerund phrase consists of a gerund plus modifier(s), object(s), and/or complement(s).
3. Gerunds and gerund phrases virtually never require punctuation.

Infinitives
An infinitive is a verbal consisting of the word to plus a verb (in its simplest "stem" form) and functioning as a
noun, adjective, or adverb. The term verbal indicates that an infinitive, like the other two kinds of verbals, is
based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being. However, the infinitive may function as a
subject, direct object, subject complement, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Although an infinitive is easy to
locate because of the to + verb form, deciding what function it has in a sentence can sometimes be confusing.

To wait seemed foolish when decisive action was required. (subject)

Everyone wanted to go. (direct object)
His ambition is to fly. (subject complement)
He lacked the strength to resist. (adjective)
We must study to learn. (adverb)

2
Be sure not to confuse an infinitivea verbal consisting of to plus a verbwith a prepositional phrase
beginning with to, which consists of to plus a noun or pronoun and any modifiers.

Infinitives: to fly, to draw, to become, to enter, to stand, to catch, to belong

Prepositional Phrases: to him, to the committee, to my house, to the mountains, to us, to this address

An Infinitive Phrase is a group of words consisting of an infinitive and the modifier(s) and/or (pro)noun(s) or
noun phrase(s) that function as the actor(s), direct object(s), indirect object(s), or complement(s) of the action or
state expressed in the infinitive, such as:

We intended to leave early.

The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of the verb intended.
to leave (infinitive)
early (adverb)

I have a paper to write before class.

The infinitive phrase functions as an adjective modifying paper.

to write (infinitive)
before class (prepositional phrase as adverb)

Phil agreed to give me a ride.

The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of the verb agreed.
to give (infinitive)
me (indirect object of action expressed in infinitive)
a ride (direct object of action expressed in infinitive)

They asked me to bring some food.

The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of the verb asked.
me (actor or "subject" of infinitive phrase)
to bring (infinitive)
some food (direct object of action expressed in infinitive)

Everyone wanted Carol to be the captain of the team.

The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of the verb wanted.
Carol (actor or "subject" of infinitive phrase)
to be (infinitive)
the captain (subject complement for Carol, via state of being expressed in infinitive)
of the team (prepositional phrase as adjective)

Actors: In these last two examples the actor of the infinitive phrase could be roughly characterized as the
"subject" of the action or state expressed in the infinitive. It is somewhat misleading to use the word subject,
however, since an infinitive phrase is not a full clause with a subject and a finite verb. Also notice that when it is

3
a pronoun, the actor appears in the objective case (me, not I, in the fourth example). Certain verbs, when they
take an infinitive direct object, require an actor for the infinitive phrase; others can't have an actor. Still other
verbs can go either way, as the charts below illustrate.

Verbs that take infinitive objects without actors:

agree begin continue decide

fail hesitate hope intend
learn neglect offer plan
prefer pretend promise refuse
remember start try
Examples:
Most students plan to study.
We began to learn.

They offered to pay.

They neglected to pay.
She promised to return.

In all of these examples no actor can come between the italicized main (finite) verb and the infinitive direct-
object phrase.

Verbs that take infinitive objects with actors:

advise allow convince remind

encourage force hire teach
instruct invite permit tell
implore incite appoint order
Examples:
He reminded me to buy milk.
Their fathers advise them to study.

She forced the defendant to admit the truth.

You've convinced the director of the program to change her position.
I invite you to consider the evidence.

In all of these examples an actor is required after the italicized main (finite) verb and before the infinitive direct-
object phrase.

Verbs that use either pattern:

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ask expect (would) like want

Examples:

I asked to see the records.

I asked him to show me the records.
Trent expected his group to win.
Trent expected to win.
Brenda likes to drive fast.
Brenda likes her friend to drive fast.

In all of these examples the italicized main verb can take an infinitive object with or without an actor.

Punctuation: If the infinitive is used as an adverb and is the beginning phrase in a sentence, it should be set off
with a comma; otherwise, no punctuation is needed for an infinitive phrase.

To buy a basket of flowers, John had to spend his last dollar.

To improve your writing, you must consider your purpose and audience.

Points to remember

1. An infinitive is a verbal consisting of the word to plus a verb; it may be used as a noun, adjective, or
adverb.
2. An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive plus modifier(s), object(s), complement(s), and/or actor(s).
3. An infinitive phrase requires a comma only if it is used as an adverb at the beginning of a sentence.

Split infinitives

Split infinitives occur when additional words are included between to and the verb in an infinitive. Many
readers find a single adverb splitting the infinitive to be acceptable, but this practice should be avoided in
formal writing.

Examples:
I like to on a nice day walk in the woods. * (unacceptable)
On a nice day, I like to walk in the woods. (revised)
I needed to quickly gather my personal possessions. (acceptable in informal contexts)
I needed to gather my personal possessions quickly. (revised for formal contexts)

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1. Gerunds
A gerund is a verbal that ends in -ing and functions as a noun. 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. However, since
a gerund functions as a noun, it occupies some positions in a sentence that a noun ordinarily would, for
example: subject, direct object, subject complement, and object of preposition.

Gerund as subject:
Traveling might satisfy your desire for new experiences. (Traveling is the gerund.)
The study abroad program might satisfy your desire for new experiences. (The gerund has been
removed.)

Gerund as direct object:

They do not appreciate my singing. (The gerund is singing.)
They do not appreciate my assistance. (The gerund has been removed)

Gerund as subject complement:

My cat's favorite activity is sleeping. (The gerund is sleeping.)
My cat's favorite food is salmon. (The gerund has been removed.)

Gerund as object of preposition:

The police arrested him for speeding. (The gerund is speeding.)
The police arrested him for criminal activity. (The gerund has been removed.)

A Gerund Phrase is a group of words consisting of a gerund and the modifier(s) and/or (pro)noun(s) or noun
phrase(s) that function as the direct object(s), indirect object(s), or complement(s) of the action or state
expressed in the gerund, such as:

The gerund phrase functions as the subject of the sentence.

Finding a needle in a haystack would be easier than what we're trying to do.

Finding (gerund)
a needle (direct object of action expressed in gerund)
in a haystack (prepositional phrase as adverb)

The gerund phrase functions as the direct object of the verb appreciate.

I hope that you appreciate my offering you this opportunity.

6
my (possessive pronoun adjective form, modifying the gerund)
offering (gerund)
you (indirect object of action expressed in gerund)
this opportunity (direct object of action expressed in gerund)

The gerund phrase functions as the subject complement.

Newt's favorite tactic has been lying to his constituents.

lying to (gerund)
his constituents (direct object of action expressed in gerund)

The gerund phrase functions as the object of the preposition for.

You might get in trouble for faking an illness to avoid work.

faking (gerund)
an illness (direct object of action expressed in gerund)
to avoid work (infinitive phrase as adverb)

The gerund phrase functions as the subject of the sentence.

Being the boss made Jeff feel uneasy.

Being (gerund)
the boss (subject complement for Jeff, via state of being expressed in gerund)

Punctuation

A gerund virtually never requires any punctuation with it.

Points to remember:

1. A gerund is a verbal ending in -ing that is used as a noun.

2. A gerund phrase consists of a gerund plus modifier(s), object(s), and/or complement(s).
3. Gerunds and gerund phrases virtually never require punctuation.

2. Participles
A participle is a verbal that is used as an adjective and most often ends in -ing or -ed. The term verbal indicates
that a participle, like the other two kinds of verbals, is based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state
of being. However, since they function as adjectives, participles modify nouns or pronouns. There are two types
of participles: present participles and past participles. Present participles end in -ing. Past participles end in -ed,
-en, -d, -t, or -n, as in the words asked, eaten, saved, dealt, and seen.

The crying baby had a wet diaper.

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 Shaken, he walked away from the wrecked car.
The burning log fell off the fire.
Smiling, she hugged the panting dog.

A participial phrase is a group of words consisting of a participle and the modifier(s) and/or (pro)noun(s) or
noun phrase(s) that function as the direct object(s), indirect object(s), or complement(s) of the action or state
expressed in the participle, such as:

Removing his coat, Jack rushed to the river.

The participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying Jack.

Removing (participle)
his coat (direct object of action expressed in participle)

Delores noticed her cousin walking along the shoreline.

The participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying cousin.

walking (participle)
along the shoreline (prepositional phrase as adverb)

Children introduced to music early develop strong intellectual skills.

The participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying children.

introduced (to) (participle)
music (direct object of action expressed in participle)
early (adverb)

Having been a gymnast, Lynn knew the importance of exercise.

The participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying Lynn.

Having been (participle)
a gymnast (subject complement for Lynn, via state of being expressed in participle)

Placement: In order to prevent confusion, a participial phrase must be placed as close to the noun it modifies as
possible, and the noun must be clearly stated.

Carrying a heavy pile of books, his foot caught on a step. *

Carrying a heavy pile of books, he caught his foot on a step.

In the first sentence there is no clear indication of who or what is performing the action expressed in the
participle carrying. Certainly foot can't be logically understood to function in this way. This situation is an
example of a dangling modifier error since the modifier (the participial phrase) is not modifying any specific
noun in the sentence and is thus left "dangling." Since a person must be doing the carrying for the sentence to
make sense, a noun or pronoun that refers to a person must be in the place immediately after the participial
phrase, as in the second sentence.

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Punctuation: When a participial phrase begins a sentence, a comma should be placed after the phrase.

Arriving at the store, I found that it was closed.

Washing and polishing the car, Frank developed sore muscles.

If the participle or participial phrase comes in the middle of a sentence, it should be set off with commas only if
the information is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

Sid, watching an old movie, drifted in and out of sleep.

The church, destroyed by a fire, was never rebuilt.

Note that if the participial phrase is essential to the meaning of the sentence, no commas should be used:

The student earning the highest grade point average will receive a special award.
The guy wearing the chicken costume is my cousin.

If a participial phrase comes at the end of a sentence, a comma usually precedes the phrase if it modifies an
earlier word in the sentence but not if the phrase directly follows the word it modifies.

The local residents often saw Ken wandering through the streets.
(The phrase modifies Ken, not residents.)
Tom nervously watched the woman, alarmed by her silence.
(The phrase modifies Tom, not woman.)

Points to remember

1. A participle is a verbal ending in -ing (present) or -ed, -en, -d, -t, or -n (past) that functions as an
adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun.
2. A participial phrase consists of a participle plus modifier(s), object(s), and/or complement(s).
3. Participles and participial phrases must be placed as close to the nouns or pronouns they modify as
possible, and those nouns or pronouns must be clearly stated.
4. A participial phrase is set off with commas when it:
o a) comes at the beginning of a sentence

o b) interrupts a sentence as a nonessential element

o c) comes at the end of a sentence and is separated from the word it modifies.

3. Infinitives
An infinitive is a verbal consisting of the word to plus a verb (in its simplest "stem" form) and functioning as a
noun, adjective, or adverb. The term verbal indicates that an infinitive, like the other two kinds of verbals, is
based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being. However, the infinitive may function as a
subject, direct object, subject complement, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Although an infinitive is easy to
locate because of the to + verb form, deciding what function it has in a sentence can sometimes be confusing.

9
 To wait seemed foolish when decisive action was required. (subject)
Everyone wanted to go. (direct object)
His ambition is to fly. (subject complement)
He lacked the strength to resist. (adjective)
We must study to learn. (adverb)

Be sure not to confuse an infinitivea verbal consisting of to plus a verbwith a prepositional phrase
beginning with to, which consists of to plus a noun or pronoun and any modifiers.

Infinitives: to fly, to draw, to become, to enter, to stand, to catch, to belong

Prepositional Phrases: to him, to the committee, to my house, to the mountains, to us, to this address

An Infinitive Phrase is a group of words consisting of an infinitive and the modifier(s) and/or (pro)noun(s) or
noun phrase(s) that function as the actor(s), direct object(s), indirect object(s), or complement(s) of the action or
state expressed in the infinitive, such as:

We intended to leave early.

The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of the verb intended.
to leave (infinitive)
early (adverb)

I have a paper to write before class.

The infinitive phrase functions as an adjective modifying paper.

to write (infinitive)
before class (prepositional phrase as adverb)

Phil agreed to give me a ride.

The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of the verb agreed.
to give (infinitive)
me (indirect object of action expressed in infinitive)
a ride (direct object of action expressed in infinitive)

They asked me to bring some food.

The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of the verb asked.
me (actor or "subject" of infinitive phrase)
to bring (infinitive)
some food (direct object of action expressed in infinitive)

Everyone wanted Carol to be the captain of the team.

10
The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of the verb wanted.
Carol (actor or "subject" of infinitive phrase)
to be (infinitive)
the captain (subject complement for Carol, via state of being expressed in infinitive)
of the team (prepositional phrase as adjective)

Actors: In these last two examples the actor of the infinitive phrase could be roughly characterized as the
"subject" of the action or state expressed in the infinitive. It is somewhat misleading to use the word subject,
however, since an infinitive phrase is not a full clause with a subject and a finite verb. Also notice that when it is
a pronoun, the actor appears in the objective case (me, not I, in the fourth example). Certain verbs, when they
take an infinitive direct object, require an actor for the infinitive phrase; others can't have an actor. Still other
verbs can go either way, as the charts below illustrate.

Verbs that take infinitive objects without actors:

agree begin continue decide

fail hesitate hope intend
learn neglect offer plan
prefer pretend promise refuse
remember start try
Examples:
Most students plan to study.
We began to learn.

They offered to pay.

They neglected to pay.
She promised to return.

In all of these examples no actor can come between the italicized main (finite) verb and the infinitive direct-
object phrase.

Verbs that take infinitive objects with actors:

advise allow convince remind

encourage force hire teach
instruct invite permit tell
implore incite appoint order
Examples:
He reminded me to buy milk.
Their fathers advise them to study.

She forced the defendant to admit the truth.

11
 You've convinced the director of the program to change her position.
I invite you to consider the evidence.

In all of these examples an actor is required after the italicized main (finite) verb and before the infinitive direct-
object phrase.

Verbs that use either pattern:

ask expect (would) like want

Examples:

I asked to see the records.

I asked him to show me the records.
Trent expected his group to win.
Trent expected to win.
Brenda likes to drive fast.
Brenda likes her friend to drive fast.

In all of these examples the italicized main verb can take an infinitive object with or without an actor.

Punctuation: If the infinitive is used as an adverb and is the beginning phrase in a sentence, it should be set off
with a comma; otherwise, no punctuation is needed for an infinitive phrase.

To buy a basket of flowers, John had to spend his last dollar.

To improve your writing, you must consider your purpose and audience.

Points to remember

1. An infinitive is a verbal consisting of the word to plus a verb; it may be used as a noun, adjective, or
adverb.
2. An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive plus modifier(s), object(s), complement(s), and/or actor(s).
3. An infinitive phrase requires a comma only if it is used as an adverb at the beginning of a sentence.

Split infinitives

Split infinitives occur when additional words are included between to and the verb in an infinitive. Many
readers find a single adverb splitting the infinitive to be acceptable, but this practice should be avoided in
formal writing.

Examples:

12
 I like to on a nice day walk in the woods. * (unacceptable)
On a nice day, I like to walk in the woods. (revised)
I needed to quickly gather my personal possessions. (acceptable in informal contexts)
I needed to gather my personal possessions quickly. (revised for formal contexts)

4. Comparing Gerunds, Participles and Infinitives

Comparing Gerunds and Participles

Look at the following pair of sentences. In the first, the use of a gerund (functioning as a noun) allows the
meaning to be expressed more precisely than in the second. In the first sentence the interrupting itself, a specific
behavior, is precisely indicated as the cause of the speaker's irritation. In the second the cause of the irritation is
identified less precisely as Bill, who just happens to have been interrupting. (In the second sentence,
interrupting is actually a participle, not a gerund, since it functions as an adjective modifying Bill.)

I was irritated by Bill's constant interrupting.

I was irritated by Bill, constantly interrupting.

The same pattern is shown in these other example pairs below: in the first of each pair, a gerund (noun-function)
is used; in the second, a participle (adjective-function). Notice the subtle change in meaning between the two
sentences in each pair.

Examples:

The guitarist's finger-picking was extraordinary. (The technique was extraordinary.)

The guitarist, finger-picking, was extraordinary. (The person was extraordinary, demonstrating the technique.)

He was not impressed with their competing. (The competing did not impress him.)
He was not impressed with them competing. (They did not impress him as they competed.)

Grandpa enjoyed his grandchildren's running and laughing.

Grandpa enjoyed his grandchildren, running and laughing.* (Ambiguous: who is running and laughing?)

Comparing Gerunds and Infinitives

The difference in the form of gerunds and infinitives is quite clear just from comparing the following lists:

Gerunds: swimming, hoping, telling, eating, dreaming

Infinitives: to swim, to hope, to tell, to eat, to dream

Their functions, however, overlap. Gerunds always function as nouns, but infinitives often also serve as nouns.
Deciding which to use can be confusing in many situations, especially for people whose first language is not
English.

Confusion between gerunds and infinitives occurs primarily in cases in which one or the other functions as the
direct object in a sentence. In English some verbs take gerunds as verbal direct objects exclusively while other

13
verbs take only infinitives and still others can take either. Many such verbs are listed below, organized
according to which kind of verbal direct object they take.

Verbs that take only infinitives as verbal direct objects

agree decide expect hesitate

learn need promise neglect
hope want plan attempt
propose intend pretend

Examples:

I hope to go on a vacation soon.

(not: I hope going on a vacation soon.*)

He promised to go on a diet.
(not: He promised going on a diet. *)

They agreed to sign the treaty.

(not: They agreed signing the treaty.*)

Because she was nervous, she hesitated to speak.

(not: Because she was nervous, she hesitated speaking.*)

They will attempt to resuscitate the victim

(not: They will attempt resuscitating the victim.*)

Verbs that take only gerunds as verbal direct objects

deny risk delay consider

can't help keep give up be fond of
finish quit put off practice
postpone tolerate suggest stop (quit)
regret enjoy keep (on) dislike
admit avoid recall mind
miss detest appreciate recommend
get/be through get/be tired of get/be accustomed to get/be used to

Examples:

14
They always avoid drinking before driving.
(not: They always avoid to drink before driving.*)

I recall asking her that question.

(not: I recall to ask her that question.*)

She put off buying a new jacket.

(not: She put off to buy a new jacket.*)

Mr. Allen enjoys cooking.

(not: Mr. Allen enjoys to cook.*)

Charles keeps calling her.

(not: Charles keeps to call her.*)

Verbs that take gerunds or infinitives as verbal direct objects

start begin continue hate

prefer like love try
remember

Examples:

She has continued to work at the store.

She has continued working at the store.

They like to go to the movies.

They like going to the movies.

Brent started to walk home.

Brent started walking home.

Forget and remember

These two verbs change meaning depending on whether a gerund or infinitive is used as the object.

Examples:

Jack forgets to take out the cat. (He regularly forgets.)

Jack forgets taking out the cat. (He did it, but he doesn't remember now.)

Jack forgot to take out the cat. (He never did it.)
Jack forgot taking out the cat. (He did it, but he didn't remember sometime later.)

15
Jack remembers to take out the cat. (He regularly remembers.)
Jack remembers taking out the cat. (He did it, and he remembers now.)

Jack remembered to take out the cat. (He did it.)

Jack remembered taking out the cat. (He did it, and he remembered sometime later.)

In the second of each pair of example sentences above, the past progressive gerund form having taken can be
used in place of taking to avoid any possible confusion.

Sense verbs that take an object plus a gerund or a simple verb

Certain sense verbs take an object followed by either a gerund or a simple verb (infinitive form minus the word
to). With many of the verbs that follow the object, the use of the gerund indicates continuous action while the
use of the simple verb indicates a one-time action. Still, sometimes the simple verb can indicate continuous
action if one-time action wouldn't make sense in the context.

feel hear notice watch

see smell observe

Examples:

We watched him playing basketball. (continuous action)

We watched him play basketball. (continuous action)

I felt my heart pumping vigorously. (continuous action)

I felt my heart pump vigorously. (continuous action)

She saw them jumping on the bed. (continuous action)

She saw them jump on the bed. (one-time action)

Tom heard the victim shouting for help. (continuous action)

Tom heard the victim shout for help. (one-time action)

The detective noticed the suspect biting his nails. (continuous action)
The detective noticed the suspect bite his nails. (one-time action)

We could smell the pie baking in the kitchen. (continuous action)

We could smell the pie bake in the kitchen. (continuous action)

Sometimes the simple-verb version might seem unconventional, so it's safer in most cases to use the gerund
version.

16
Gerunds and
Infinitives:
Their Noun Roles

Both gerunds and infinitives can be nouns, which means they can do just about anything that a noun can do.
Although they name things, like other nouns, they normally name activities rather than people or objects. Here
are five noun-uses of gerunds and infinitives (and one additional non-noun use, the adjective complement, that
we throw in here, free of charge).

Gerunds and infintives can both function as the subject of a sentence:

a. Playing basketball takes up too much of her time.

b. To play basketball for UConn is her favorite fantasy.

It is not impossible for an infinitive to appear at the beginning of a sentence as the subject (as in Ib), but
it is more common for an infinitive to appear as a Subject Complement:

a. Her favorite fantasy is to play basketball for UConn.

The gerund can also play this role:

b. Her favorite fantasy is playing basketball for UConn.

Both of these verbal forms can further identify a noun when they play the role of Noun Complement
and Appositive:

a. Her desire to play basketball for UConn became an obsession.

b. I could never understand her desire to play basketball for UConn.

c. Her one burning desire in life, playing basketball for UConn, seemed a goal within reach.

The infinitive is often a complement used to help define an abstract noun. Here is a very partial list of abstract
nouns, enough to suggest their nature. Try following these adjectives with an infinitive phrase (their desire to
play in the championship game, a motivation to pass all their courses, her permission to stay up late, a gentle
reminder to do your work) to see how the phrase modifies and focuses the noun.

advice opportunity refusal

appeal order reminder
command permission request

17
decision plan requirement
desire possibility suggestion
fact preparation tendency
instruction proposal wish
motivation recommendation

Infinitive phrases often follow certain adjectives. When this happens, the infinitive is said to play the
role of Adjective Complement. (This is not a noun function, but we will include it here nonetheless.)

a. She was hesitant to tell the coach of her plan.

b. She was reluctant to tell her parents, also.

c. But she would not have been content to play high school ball forever.

Here is a list of adjectives that you will often find in such constructions.

ahead determined lucky

amazed disappointed pleased
anxious eager proud
apt eligible ready
ashamed fortunate reluctant
bound glad sad
careful happy shocked
certain hesitant sorry
content liable surprised
delighted likely upset

Although we do not find many infinitives in this next category, it is not uncommon to find gerunds
taking on the role of Object of a Preposition:

a. She wrote a newspaper article about dealing with college recruiters.

b. She thanked her coach for helping her to deal with the pressure.

Two prepositions, except and but, will sometimes take an infinitive.

a. The committee had no choice except to elect Frogbellow chairperson.
b. What is left for us but to pack up our belongings and leave?

And, finally, both gerunds and infinitives can act as a Direct Object:

18
Here, however, all kinds of decisions have to be made, and some of these decisions will seem quite arbitrary.
The next section is about making the choice between gerund and infinitive forms as direct object.

Verbs that take other verb forms as objects are called catenatives (from a word that means to link, as in a chain).
Catenatives can be found at the head of a series of linked constructions, as in "We agreed to try to decide to stop
eating between meals." Catenatives are also characterized by their tendency to describe mental processes and
resolutions. (Kolln)

Although it is seldom a serious problem for native English speakers, deciding whether to use a gerund or an
infinitive after a verb can be perplexing among students for whom English is a second language. Why do we
decide to run, but we would never decide running? On the other hand, we might avoid running, but we would
not avoid to run. And finally, we might like running and would also like to run. It is clear that some verbs take
gerunds, some verbs take infinitives, and some verbs take either. The following tables of verbs should help you
understand the various options that regulate our choice of infinitive or gerund.

Some students may find it convenient to have a list of verbs

that take infinitives, verbs that take gerunds, verbs that take
eitherwithout the lists being broken into verb categories as
they are below. Click the button to see such a list.

We also make available a chart of 81 verbs that take gerunds and

infinitives along with pop-up examples of their usage. Click HERE for that
chart.

The verbs in the table below will be followed by an infinitive. We decided to leave. He manages, somehow, to
win. It is threatening to rain. Notice that many, but not all, of these verbs suggest a potential event.

Some of the verbs in the following table may be followed by a gerund if they are describing an "actual, vivid or
fulfilled action" (Frodesen). We love running. They began farming the land. These are described, also, below.

Emotion

care hate love

desire like regret
hate loathe yearn

Choice or Intent

agree hope prepare

choose intend propose
decide need refuse
decide plan want

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expect prefer wish

Initiation, Completion, Incompletion

begin get start

cease hesitate try
commence manage undertake
fail neglect

Mental Process

forget learn remember

know how

Request and Promise

demand promise threaten

offer swear vow

Intransitives

appear seem tend

happen

Miscellaneous

afford claim pretend

arrange continue wait

The verbs in the next table will often be followed by an infinitive, but they will also be accompanied by a
second object. We asked the intruders to leave quietly. They taught the children to swim. The teacher convinced
his students to try harder.

The verbs in blue, with an asterisk, can also follow the same pattern as the verbs in the table above (i.e., the
second object is optional). We all wanted to go. They promised to be home early.

Communication

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advise forbid remind
ask* invite require
beg* order tell
challenge permit warn
command persuade urge
convince promise*

Instruction

encourage instruct train

help teach

Causing

allow force need*

cause get would like*
choose hire

Miscellaneous

dare* trust want*

expect* prepare*

Gerunds accompany a form of the verb to go in many idiomatic expressions: Let's go shopping. We went
jogging yesterday. She goes bowling every Friday night.

The following verbs will be followed by a gerund. Did I mention reading that novel last summer? I recommend
leaving while we can. I have quit smoking These verbs tend to describe actual events.

Initiation, Completion and Incompletion

anticipate delay quit

avoid finish risk
begin get through start
cease give up stop
complete postpone try

Communication

admit encourage report

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advise mention suggest
deny recommend urge
discuss

Continuing Action

continue practice keep

can't help involve keep on

Emotion

appreciate love regret

dislike mind can't stand
enjoy don't mind resent
hate miss resist
like prefer tolerate

Mental Process

anticipate imagine see

consider recall can't see
forget remember understand

The verbs in the following table can be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund, and there will be virtually
no difference in the meaning of the two sentences. I like to play basketball in the park. I like playing basketball
in the park.

attempt like regret

begin love can't stand
continue neglect stand
hate prefer start

The verbs in this next, very small table can be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund, but there will be a
difference in meaning. I stopped smoking means something quite different, for instance, from I stopped to
smoke. The infinitive form will usually describe a potential action.

forget remember stop

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Finally, the verbs below will be followed by either a gerund or a simple verb and a second subject will be
required. I saw the team losing its composure. I overheard my landlord discussing a rent increase. (I heard Bill
sing/singing.) These verbs involve the senses.

Verbs Involving Senses

feel look at overhear

hear notice see
listen to observe watch

Verbs of perception hear, see, watch and a handful of other verbs help, let, and make will take what
is called the bare infinitive, an infinitive without the particle "to." This is true of these verbs only in the active
voice.

a. We watched him clear the table.

b. They heard the thief crash through the door.

c. She made me do it.

d. We helped her finish the homework.

Using Possessives with Gerunds

Do we say "I can't stand him singing in the shower," or do we say "I can't stand his singing in the shower"?
Well, you have to decide what you find objectionable: is it him, the fact that he is singing in the shower, or is it
the singing that is being done by him that you can't stand? Chances are, it's the latter, it's the singing that
belongs to him that bugs you. So we would say, "I can't stand his singing in the shower."

On the other hand, do we say "I noticed your standing in the alley last night"? Probably not, because it's not the
action that we noticed; it's the person. So we'd say and write, instead, "I noticed you standing in the alley last
night." Usually, however, when a noun or pronoun precedes a gerund, that noun or pronoun takes a possessive
form. This is especially true of formal, academic writing.

There are exceptions to this. (What would the study of language be without exceptions?)

When the noun preceding the gerund is modified by other words, use the common form of that noun, not the
possessive.
a. Federico was pleased by Carlos's making the Dean's List for the first time.
but

b. Federico was pleased by Carlos, his oldest son, making the Dean's List for the first time.

When the noun preceding the gerund is plural, collective, or abstract, use the common form of that noun,
not the possessive.

c. Professor Villa was amazed by her students working as hard as they did.

23
 d. The class working collaboratively was somebody else's idea.

e. It was a case of old age getting the better of them.

There are certain situations in which the possessive and the gerund create an awkward combination. This
seems to be particularly true when indefinite pronouns are involved.

f. I was shocked by somebody's making that remark.

This would be greatly improved by saying, instead . . .
g. I was shocked that somebody would make that remark.

This is also true when the "owner" of the gerund comes wrapped in a noun phrase:

o I was thankful for the guy next door shoveling snow from my driveway.

'- ING' FORM

GERUND OR INFINITIVE?

B. Verbs where there is a clear difference in meaning:

Verbs marked with an asterisk* can also be followed by a that-clause.
come mean* stop
forget* regret* try
go on remember*

NOTES:

Come:
Come + gerund is like other verbs of movement followed by the gerund, and means that
the subject is doing something as they move:
She came running across the field.

Come + to-infinitive means that something happens or develops, perhaps outside the
subject's control:

At first I thought he was crazy, but I've come to appreciate his sense of humour.
How did you come to be outside the wrong house?

This word has come to mean something quite different.

Forget, regret and remember:
When these verbs are followed by a gerund, the gerund refers to an action that happened
earlier:

I remember locking the door (= I remember now, I locked the door earlier)
He regretted speaking so rudely. (= he regretted at some time in the past, he had

24
 spoken rudely at some earlier time in the past.)

Forget is frequently used with 'never' in the simple future form:

I'll never forget meeting the Queen.

When these verbs are followed by a to-infinitive, the infinitive refers to an action
happening at the same time, or later:

I remembered to lock the door (= I thought about it, then I did it.)
Don't forget to buy some eggs! (= Please think about it and then do it.)

We regret to announce the late arrival of the 12.45 from Paddington. (= We feel
sorry before we tell you this bad news.)
Go on:
Go on + gerund means to continue with an action:

He went on speaking for two hours.

I can't go on working like this - I'm exhausted.

Go on + to-infinitive means to do the next action, which is often the next stage in a
process:

After introducing her proposal, she went on to explain the benefits for the
company.

John Smith worked in local government for five years, then went on to become a
Member of Parliament.
Mean:
Mean + gerund expresses what the result of an action will be, or what will be necessary:

If you take that job in London it will mean travelling for two hours every day.
We could take the ferry to France, but that will mean spending a night in a hotel.

Mean + to-infinitive expresses an intention or a plan:

Did you mean to dial this number?

I mean to finish this job by the end of the week!

Sorry - I didn't mean to hurt you.

Stop:
Stop + gerund means to finish an action in progress:

I stopped working for them because the wages were so low.

25
 Stop tickling me!

Stop + to-infinitive means to interrupt an activity in order to do something else, so the

infinitive is used to express a purpose:

I stopped to have lunch. (= I was working, or travelling, and I interrupted what I

was doing in order to eat.)

It's difficult to concentrate on what you are doing if you have to stop to answer
the phone every five minutes.
Try:
Try + gerund means to experiment with an action that might be a solution to your
problem.

If you have problems sleeping, you could try doing some yoga before you go to
bed, or you could try drinking some warm milk.
'I can't get in touch with Carl.' 'Have you tried e-mailing him?'

Try + to-infinitive means to make an effort to do something. It may be something very

difficult or even impossible:

The surgeons tried to save his life but he died on the operating table.
We'll try to phone at 6 o'clock, but it might be hard to find a public telephone.

Elephants and mice have to try to live together in harmony.

Verbs Followed by Gerunds OR Infinitives (Different Meaning)

She began singing.

She began to sing. She is beginning to sing.
begin
When "begin" is used in non-continuous When "begin" is used in continuous tenses, an
tenses, you can either use a gerund or an infinitive is used.
infinitive.

He dreaded to think of the consequences of his

actions.
She dreaded taking the test.
dread
"Dread" is sometimes used with infinitives such as
Usually "dread" is followed by a gerund.
"think" or "consider." In the sentence above,
"dreaded to think" means "did not want to think."

26
 She forgot reading the book when she was a
kid.
forget When "forget" is used with a gerund, it
means "to forget that you have done
something." The sentence above means that
she read the book when she was a kid, and
that she has forgotten that fact.
She kept talking.
keep
"Keep" is normally used with a gerund to
mean that you continue doing an action.
The house needs cleaning.
need When "need" is used with a gerund, it takes
on a passive meaning. The sentence above
means "the house needs to be cleaned."
I regretted being late to the interview.
regret
"Regret" is normally used with a gerund.
I remember mentioning the meeting
yesterday.
remember When "remember" is used with a gerund, it
means "to remember that you have done
something." The sentence above means that I
mentioned the meeting, and that I remember
the fact that I did that.
start Marge started talking really fast.
Marge started to talk really fast.
27
She forgot to pay the rent this month.
When forget is used with an infinitive, it means "to
forget that you need to do something." The
sentence above means that she forgot that she
needed to pay the rent.
The attackers kept hostages to prevent the police
from entering.
"Keep" can also be used with an object followed
by an infinitive, but then the infinitive takes on the
meaning of "in order to... ." In the sentence above,
the attackers kept hostages in order to prevent the
police from entering.
He needs to call his boss.
He needs him to call his boss.
"Need" is usually used with an infinitive or an
object + an infinitive.
We regret to inform you that your position at the
company is being eliminated.
"Regret" is sometimes used with infinitives such as
"to inform." In the sentence above, "We regret to
inform you" means "We wish we did not have to
tell you (bad news)."
He remembered to turn off the lights before he
left.
When "remember" is used with an infinitive, it
means "to remember that you need to do
something." The sentence above means that he
remembered that he needed to turn the lights off.
Marge is starting to talk really fast.
When "start" is used in continuous tenses, an
 infinitive is used.

When "start" is used in non-continuous
tenses, you can either use a gerund or an
infinitive.
I started to learn Russian, but it was so much work
that I finally quit the class.
In other situations, an infinitive means that you
did not complete or continue an action.

He stopped to rest for a few minutes.

He stopped smoking for health reasons.
stop
"Stop" is normally used with a gerund.
When "stop" is used with an infinitive, the
infinitive takes on the meaning of "in order to." In
the sentence above, he stopped in order to rest for
a few minutes.

She can't find a job. She tried looking in the

paper, but there was nothing. She tried
asking friends and family, but nobody knew
of anything. She also tried going shop to
shop, but nobody was hiring.
"Try + gerund" means to try or to
try experiment with different methods to see if
something works.
She tried eating the snake soup, but she
didn't like it.
"Try + gerund" is often used when you
experiment with something, but you do not
really like it or want to do it again.
She tried to climb the tree, but she couldn't even
get off the ground.
When you "try to do" something, you want to do it,
but you do not succeed in actually doing it. In the
sentence above, an infinitive is used because she
cannot successfully climb the tree.
Try not to wake the baby when you get up
tomorrow at 5 AM.
An infinitive is also used if you are asking
someone to try something they may or may not be
able to accomplish.

NFINITIVE AND GERUND COMPLETERS

Some verbs take verbal completers that behave like nouns. These verbal completers may be infinitives or
gerunds. (A gerund is the -ing form of a verb when it's used as a noun. When the same form is used as a
modifier, it's called a participle.)
She encouraged him to eat at her house. (Encourage is a verb that takes an infinitive completer.)
He appreciated knowing that he was welcome there. (Appreciate is a verb that takes a gerund
completer.)
The family loved to see him. OR
The family loved seeing him. (Love takes either an infinive or a gerund .)

28
There's no simple way of knowing whether a verb takes an infinitive or gerund completer. Sometimes verbs
with similar meanings take different completers:
I like to swim, but he hates to swim. OR
I like swimming, but he hates swimming. (Like and hate take either form.)
I enjoy swimming, but he dislikes swimming. (Enjoy and dislike take gerunds only. Although
they are smilar to like and hate, they cannot take infinitives.)

Further, some verbs (like encourage, in the first example above) require that the verbal completer should have
an agent, a person or thing that is responsible for the action of the verbal. (She encouraged him to eat at her
househim = the agent) Other verbs don't require an agent for the completer. There's no clear rule about this.

The best way to decide what kind of completer a verb needs is to look up the verb in a chart. Don't try to
memorize the chart. If you look up verb completers when they become relevant to your own writing, you will
remember them within the context of usage, which is the way native English-speakers have learned them.

Print out a copy of Chart 7, VERBS THAT TAKE GERUND AND INFINITIVE COMPLETERS and refer
to it as needed when you write. Return to the regular text for this chapter to find a Check this Out link to a
website that explains infinitive and gerund completers in more detail.

Verbs That Take Gerund and Infinitive Completers

1. Infinitives
1a. Regular, no agent
1b. With optional agent for the action
1c. With required agent for the action
1* Used without the word "to"
2. Gerunds
2a. Regular, no agent
2b. With required agent for the action
(**) Difference in meaning
He can afford to call them.
You wanted me to call them. OR
You wanted to call them.
She reminded us to call them.
We heard her call them.
Juno enjoys calling them.
We heard you calling them
I forgot to call them. || I forgot calling them.

29
 acknowledge choose enjoy hope persuade recommend seem
admit command expect imagine plan refuse start
advise consent fail intend practice regret stop
afford consider feel invite prefer remember teach
agree continue finish involve Completer Types | Examples
allow dare forbid learn
anticipate decide force let
appear demand forget like
appreciate deny get love
ask deserve give up make
avoid discuss hate mention
beg dislike have miss
begin endure hear need
celebrate encourage help neglect pretend remind tell
challenge enable (cannot) help notice promise see understand
watch want wish

Gerunds and Infinitives Part 1

1. A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing." The gerund form of the verb "read" is "reading." You
can use a gerund as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence.

Examples:

Reading helps you learn English. subject of sentence

Her favorite hobby is reading. complement of sentence

I enjoy reading. object of sentence

Gerunds can be made negative by adding "not."

Examples:

He enjoys not working.

The best thing for your health is not smoking.

30
2. Infinitives are the "to" form of the verb. The infinitive form of "learn" is "to learn." You can also use an
infinitive as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence.

Examples:

To learn is important. subject of sentence

The most important thing is to learn. complement of sentence

He wants to learn. object of sentence

Infinitives can be made negative by adding "not."

Examples:

I decided not to go.

The most important thing is not to give up.

3. Both gerunds and infinitives can be used as the subject or the complement of a sentence. However, as
subjects or complements, gerunds usually sound more like normal, spoken English, whereas infinitives sound
more abstract. In the following sentences, gerunds sound more natural and would be more common in everyday
English. Infinitives emphasize the possibility or potential for something and sound more philosophical. If this
sounds confusing, just remember that 90% of the time, you will use a gerund as the subject or complement of a
sentence.

Examples:

Learning is important. normal subject

To learn is important. abstract subject - less common

The most important thing is learning. normal complement

The most important thing is to learn. abstract complement - less common

4. As the object of a sentence, it is more difficult to choose between a gerund or an infinitive. In such situations,
gerunds and infinitives are not normally interchangeable. Usually, the main verb in the sentence determines
whether you use a gerund or an infinitive.

Examples:

He enjoys swimming. "Enjoy" requires a gerund.

He wants to swim. "Want" requires an infinitive.

5. Some verbs are followed by gerunds as objects. List of Verbs Followed by Gerunds

Examples:

She suggested going to a movie.

Mary keeps talking about her problems.

31
6. Some verbs are followed by infinitives. List of Verbs Followed by Infinitives

Examples:

She wants to go to a movie.

Mary needs to talk about her problems.

Exercises Based on Part 1 of the Gerunds and Infinitives Tutorial

Gerunds and Infinitives 1 Gerunds and Infinitives 6

Gerunds and Infinitives 2 Gerunds and Infinitives 7

Gerunds and Infinitives 3 Gerunds and Infinitives 8

Gerunds and Infinitives 4 Gerunds and Infinitives 9

Gerunds and Infinitives 5 Gerunds and Infinitives 10

Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. Dan enjoys science fiction.

2. Cheryl suggested a movie after work.

3. I miss in the travel industry. Maybe I can get my old job back.

4. Where did you learn Spanish? Was it in Spain or in Latin America?

5. Do you mind me translate this letter?

6. He asked to the store manager.

7. You've never mentioned in Japan before. How long did you live there?

8. If he keeps to work late, he's going to get fired!

9. Debbie plans abroad next year.

10. I agreed Jack wash his car.

Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. I hope from college next June.

2. The models practiced with a book balanced on their heads.

32
3. Mandy has promised care of our dog while we are on vacation.

4. Mr. Edwards chose the management position in Chicago rather than the position in Miami.

5. I don't know what she wants tonight. Why don't you ask her?

6. Frank offered us paint the house.

7. Sandra decided economics in London.

8. Witnesses reported the bank robber as he was climbing out of the second-story window.

9. Stephanie dislikes in front of a computer all day.

10. Mrs. Naidoo appears the most qualified person for the job
Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. Eliza recommended in a dim sum restaurant while we're in Hong Kong.

2. I demand to the manager of the hotel immediately.

3. My grandmother recalled a plane for the very first time when she was six.

4. She claims related to George Washington, but I don't believe her.

5. This broken bicycle needs before someone can ride it.

6. I can't understand such a big car when gas prices are so high, not to mention what it does to the
environment.

7. She refused to me after our fight.

8. The wilderness adventure course lasts ten days and involves more than fifty miles through
rugged mountainous terrain.

9. Don't hesitate for help if you don't understand the directions.

10. She managed with them, even though she didn't speak their language.
Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.

33
1. She pretended a student in order to get a student discount.

2. She waited what would happen next.

3. The child denied the piece of candy.

4. We fully intend you for all the work you have done for us.

5. You seem a little distracted. Is everything alright?

6. Laura and Ed discussed to the city to find work; however, in the end, they decided against
relocating.

7. She refused that she had made a mistake.

8. After his accident last year, he would never consider another motorcycle.

9. Margaret just happened the lost car keys while she was looking for something else.

10. He never admitted the wild party while his parents were out of town.
Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. Jackie tends late on Mondays, but our boss doesn't seem to care about that very much.

2. She imagined on a tropical beach under a palm tree.

3. The winner of the local competition gets in a national competition in Washington D.C.

4. We don't anticipate any more technical problems during the concert tour.

5. Debbie failed her credit card lying on the ground.

6. The politician swore the people honestly and with pride, but the scandal revealed that the
promise was little more than a lie.

7. Mr. Shinohara recollected with his father on his family's fishing boat when he was a young
child.

8. The medical team deserves the award for their volunteer work in sub-Saharan Africa.

34
9. I really appreciate the opportunity to take part in this project and to work with such an excellent
team.

10. She delayed her application until just one week before the deadline.
Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. Everybody arranged at the train station 30 minutes before the train departed.

2. Simona resisted Italian during her English training program in London. She wanted to take
advantage of the opportunity to improve her English.

3. Do you care us later for dinner? We are meeting at Tony's Italian Restaurant downtown.

4. We waited what would happen next, but nothing happened.

5. Julius vowed to his home country once again to see the village where he and his family had
lived before the war.

6. Diana yearns to far off, exotic destinations.

7. When she got through her book, she laid it on the table next to the bed and went to sleep.

8. They expected much earlier, but their plane was delayed in Paris.

9. Michael postponed the bathroom as long as possible. He hates cleaning!

10. How can you defend such terrible things to him?

Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. Bill agreed us at the restaurant at 8:30, but he never showed up.

2. Jennifer practiced the word until she sounded just like a native speaker.

3. Our art teacher encouraged with different colors.

4. Dana hopes enough money to travel around Europe for three months. It's her dream.

5. is her life. That is why Susan moved to New York to study dancing professionally.

35
6. Constance plans part in the marathon next spring.

7. I can't help how my grandmother's life would have been different if she had been able to go to
college.

8. The doctor advised a specialist about the problem.

9. helped me strengthen my injured leg.

10. After the tsunami, Bette chose in Indonesia and work with a relief organization.
Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. is a great way to relax. I love to sit back and enjoy a good book.

2. Why do you always get first? I want to go first this time!

3. When you're in Prague, I recommend from the Charles Bridge to the castle at night.

4. Susanne just happened in the restaurant when Julia Roberts walked in! Can you believe that?

5. Eye specialists urge frequent breaks while using the computer for extended periods of time.

6. I thought you knew nothing about cars. Where did you learn a flat tire?

7. My favorite thing is on my back in the sea.

8. The Egyptology course requires in six months of field studies near Luxor, Egypt.

9. The nurse risked the disease from her patient, but she continued to treat him until he had fully
recovered.

10. Dad, you promised us to the beach today. When are we going to go to the beach?
Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. He expects his studies next summer.

2. National park officials do not permit the park without an official guide. You can hire one at the
park office.

3. He offered her books on the way home.

36
4. The archaeologist reported a large, previously unknown pyramid deep in the jungle.

5. Samantha keeps to send us the documents. We need to have them by next week!

6. Felix decided not the position in Miami because he wanted to stay in New York.

7. right can help you live a long and healthy life.

8. The refugees risked captured as they tried to escape through the mountains.

9. You have to wait forever at the doctor's office. I suggest a good book to help kill time.

10. Mr. Miller asked included in the meeting with the new clients.
Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. After his insulting comments, I thought Jack deserved fired.

2. Max avoided his cell phone when other people were in the room.

3. We arranged a taxi pick us up and take us to the airport.

4. I resent treated like a servant in my own home!

5. Frank completed the new barn last week. Next, he is going to paint it red.

6. Don't worry, I don't mind dinner. I think I'll make fish with steamed vegetables, and a big salad
on the side!

7. Crying, the mother looked into the television camera and said, "Society will no longer tolerate
."

8. Karen and Neil would like that new dance club downtown. It's supposed to have one of the
largest dance floors in the world.

9. I can't see a car when you don't even have a driver's license. That doesn't make any sense!

10. When do you wish , now or later?

37
Gerunds and Infinitives Part 2

7. Gerunds can often be modified with possessive forms such as his, her, its, your, their, our, John's, Mary's, the
machine's, and so on. This makes it clearer who or what is performing the action.

Examples:

I enjoyed their singing. They were singing.

She understood his saying no to the offer. He said no.

Sam resented Debbie's coming late to the dinner. Debbie came late to the dinner.

We discussed the machine's being broken. The machine is broken.

8. Some verbs are followed by a noun plus an infinitive. In some situations, the noun is required. In other
situations, the noun is optional. List of Verbs Followed by a Noun + an Infinitive

Examples:

The police ordered the man to stop. noun is required

She asked to leave. noun is optional

She asked him to leave. noun is optional

9. Some verbs are usually followed by a gerund, BUT they can also be followed by a noun plus infinitive. Using
a noun plus infinitive will usually change who is performing the action. List of Verbs followed by a Gerund OR
a Noun + Infinitive

Examples:

I advised taking the train. in general

I advised him to take the train. He will take the train.

10. There are many "go + gerund" expressions used for adventure sports and individual recreational activities.
List of Go + Gerund Combinations

Examples:

I go swimming every weekend.

Would you ever go skydiving?

11. Gerunds are used after prepositions. Most commonly, these are "verb + preposition" combinations. For
reference, see the Verb + Preposition Dictionary and the Phrasal Verb Dictionary. You don't have to memorize
these resources, you just need to remember that gerunds are used after prepositions!

Examples:

They admitted to committing the crime.

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 Leslie made up for forgetting my birthday.

He is thinking about studying abroad.

12. Remember that there are many "adjective + preposition" combinations and "noun + preposition"
combinations in English as well. These are also followed by gerunds. List of Adjective + Preposition
Combinations Followed by Gerunds and List of Noun + Preposition Combinations Followed by Gerunds. Once
again, you don't have to memorize these resources, you just need to remember that gerunds are used after
prepositions!

Examples:

Sandy is scared of flying. adjective + preposition

Nick is anxious about taking the examination. adjective + preposition

His interest in becoming a professional snowboarder was well known. noun + preposition

Thomas' story about seeing a grizzly bear was really exciting. noun + preposition

Exercises Based on Part 2 of the Gerunds and Infinitives Tutorial

Gerunds and Infinitives 11 Gerunds and Infinitives 16

Gerunds and Infinitives 12 Gerunds and Infinitives 17

Gerunds and Infinitives 13 Gerunds and Infinitives 18

Gerunds and Infinitives 14 Gerunds and Infinitives 19

Gerunds and Infinitives 15 Gerunds and Infinitives 20

Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. I can't stand all the time.

2. Our teacher won't allow dictionaries during the test.

3. We advised a taxi instead of walking to the restaurant.

4. The city doesn't allow along curbs painted red.

5. She prefers dinner because she doesn't like to cook.

6. I hope you don't mind while you eat.

7. John is never on time to work! I hate late every day.

8. Sarah urged in the next election.

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9. He needs to get a visa extension immediately. The authorities won't permit in the country
without a visa.

10. Travel agents usually advise flight bookings three days before departure.
Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. I enjoy to get up so early in the morning. Sleeping in is great!

2. Nancy proposed a picnic at the beach.

3. Do you wish , or would you like to stop now?

4. His car needs . It looks like it hasn't been washed in years.

5. Smokers risk several smoking related illnesses.

6. The astronomer told us into the sun during the eclipse.

7. I wish she would just quit all the time.

8. Leslie hired her fence.

9. She resisted advice from her coworkers.

10. Linda regretted to her high school reunion.

Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. They urged out for bears.

2. Denise resented the opportunity to work and advance her career.

3. The policeman ordered his car.

4. He threatened forever.

5. After he finished the show, he turned off the TV and went to bed.

6. The banker advised for retirement.

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7. Mr. Johnson won't tolerate late to class.

8. Do you prefer ?

9. I go every year. I love winter sports.

10. Frederick and I discussed more than we can afford.

Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
HINT: This quiz focuses on whether verbs can be followed by an infinitive, a noun + infinitive, or BOTH. For
more information, read Gerunds and Infinitives Part 2.

1. She promised to the doctor as soon as she returned home.

2. Franne encouraged for the job.

3. She wants more.

4. She neglected all the facts.

5. The food caused sick.

6. We expect soon.

7. Sam chose the meeting.

8. I tried the picture, but it didn't work.

9. Laurelle reminded the door.

10. I would like the train.

Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
HINT: This quiz focuses on whether verbs can be followed by a gerund, a noun + infinitive, or BOTH. For
more information, read Gerunds and Infinitives Part 2.

1. Debbie urged the Eiffel Tower while they were in Paris.

2. I remember up at 4:30 AM to make it to work on time.

3. The math teacher doesn't allow calculators.

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4. Sallie wanted longer, but I was so tired that we had to leave.

5. The Japanese teacher encouraged in class.

6. The consultant advised costs.

7. I need me move the table.

8. The zoo keeper permitted the snake.

9. Do you mind a few more minutes?

10. The hiking course requires in the snow.

Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. Carrie Ann goes every day.

2. Delores goes when she has time.

3. Sam went in Paris.

4. Lisa and Kurt are going to go tonight.

5. Jamie has never gone in that mall.

6. Patrick wanted to go with his friends, but he had to work late.

7. He likes to go .

8. Stephanie loves to go .

9. Mina wants to go on the weekend.

10. Sarah often goes .

Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. Simone was talking about up in Tanzania. She has had such an interesting life!

2. I need him me lift this heavy box.

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3. Thank you for to the meeting on such short notice.

4. I suggest Japan when the cherry trees are in bloom.

5. We hired professional translators the documents into Arabic and Chinese.

6. After work, I always go . I'm a fitness freak!

7. His interest in languages is very impressive.

8. I don't mind your friend along with us. Why don't you invite her and her husband?

9. Roberta is getting tired of the same old job day in and day out. I think she is going to quit!

10. Health professionals encourage people less red meat.

Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. Agatha invited me the summer at her family's home in Costa Rica.

2. I didn't believe Camille's story about a rattlesnake in her bed.

3. The terrible weather forced us our plans.

4. Diane has been scared of in the ocean ever since she saw the movie "Jaws."

5. I don't know how you got my son his broccoli. He hates vegetables!

6. I went when I was in New Zealand. It was awesome!

7. Sally loves to go in her free time. She doesn't usually buy anything, she just likes to
look.

8. What do you think about married just one week after they met? Isn't that
crazy?

9. I urge you your decision.

10. His reasons for to study Latin were always unclear to me.

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Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. Michael's talent for the right investments made him rich.

2. Katie's talking caused me a mistake.

3. I'm bored of the same old thing every weekend.

4. Neil Armstrong is famous for the first man to walk on the Moon.

5. The zoo keeper allowed us the cheetah.

6. I went in Hawaii. It was spectacular!

7. Carrie reminded me Dave and Stacey and invite them over for dinner.

8. The little girl pretended sick, so that she didn't have to go to school.

9. She took up the piano at the age of six.

10. Constance denied related to the royal family.

Choose the correct answer for each gap below, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. The certification program requires me several tests.

2. The certification program requires my several tests.

3. I told the others me at the beach after work. Why don't you come along?

4. Robin talked me into in the 24-hour dance marathon.

5. He appreciated him prepare for the Halloween party.

6. skydiving tomorrow will test how brave you are.

7. Don't you need a break? You've been working non-stop for over 8 hours!

8. late would be an insult to our dinner hosts.

9. Beth was excited about the world famous photographer.

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10. How did you manage tickets for that concert? It has been sold out for months.

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