Infinitives Vs Gerunds

Teresa Ruiprez

GERUNDS The ing form is often referred to as gerund. I am going to concentrate on those cases in which we can find gerunds: 1)As SUBJECT (when we talk about things in general) Swimming makes you fit 2)AFTER PREPOSITIONS: We talked about going on holiday together in July. He was fined for stealing a car. We cant make an omelette without breaking the eggs. I look forward to hearing from you You should check the oil before starting the car *Here we can include After some verbal forms (or expressions)such as: Cant help I cant help thinking it would be fun to live in London cant stand I cant stand getting up early feel like I feel like drinking a coke Its no use Its no use trying to persuade me Be/get used to I am not used to speaking up Look forward to Im looking forward to seeing you soon Spend (time) I spent three days sleeping at home Dont mind/would mind I dont mind staying here/or would you mind closing the door? Its no good Its no good speaking to me like that Its worth(while) Do you think its worth waiting for the bus? 3)After some particular VERBS Enjoy I enjoy doing sport
Like/dislike, love/hate, prefer, detest, miss, prefer, finish, continue, suggest, recommend, avoid, admit, forgive, keep (=continue), risk, excuse, fancy, stop(=cease), anticipate, imagine, understand, involve Some examples: I detest swimming in cold water. He doesnt fancy swimming in that dirty lake. Can you imagine swimming in the Dead sea?

INFINITIVES The infinitive (with to) is used: 1)To express purpose The hackers were given two weeks to discover the secret message. 2) After certain verbs (which dont appear with gerunds*) (hope, expect, want, manage, tend) I hope to learn to swim before the end of my holiday.

Infinitives Vs Gerunds

Teresa Ruiprez

3) Verbs followed by OBJECT + TO INFINITIVE (advise, allow, encourage, forbid, order, teach, tell, warn, remind) He ordered us to leave the car. She reminded me to phone Patrick. Its impossible to teach him to swim because he is afraid of water. Ive warned you not to go near the water before. VERBS FOLLOWED BY EITHER GERUND OR INFINITIVE (special cases)
With remember, forget, stop, go on and regret, the difference is connected with time. the -ing form refers to things that happened earlier (before the remembering, forgetting, etc takes place); the infinitive refers to things that happen after the remembering, etc. A) Remember + -ing = remember what one has done, or what has happened I always remember meeting you for the first time. Remember + infinitive = remember what one has to do. Remember to go to the post office, won't you. B) Forget + -ing = forget what one has done, or what has happened I never forget seeing the Queen. Forget + infinitive = forget what one has to do. She's always forgetting to give me my letters. 'Can I give you a lift?' - 'No, thanks, I prefer to walk.' C) Stop + -ing = stop what one is doing, or does. I really must stop smoking Stop + infinitive = make a break or pause in order to do something. Every half hour I stop work to smoke a cigarette. D) Regret + -ing = be sorry for what has happened. I don't regret telling her what I thought, even if it upset her.

Regret + infinitive = be sorry for what one is going to say.

I regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you employment. *sometimes Like + ing = means enjoy I like walking in the rain Like + to infinitive= means Be in the habit of, choose to I like to get up early so that I can have plenty of work done before. Would like+to infinitive= means want or wish What would you like to do tomorrow? *With love/hate/ prefere there is no much difference between both forms. Some people hate working (talking in general) Some people hate to work in the early morning ..We are referring to a particular occasion