Mastering the use of gerunds and infinitives is a crucial step for anyone learning English. These forms are not only common in everyday conversation but also essential in writing. Understanding when to use a gerund or an infinitive can be challenging, but with some practice and guidance, you can develop a strong command of these grammatical structures.
What Are Gerunds and Infinitives?
Before diving into the rules and nuances, it’s important to understand what gerunds and infinitives are.
A **gerund** is the _-ing_ form of a verb that functions as a noun. For example, in the sentence “Swimming is fun,” the word “swimming” is a gerund.
An **infinitive** is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word “to.” For example, in the sentence “I want to swim,” the phrase “to swim” is an infinitive.
Basic Rules for Using Gerunds
1. **Gerunds as Subjects**: Gerunds can act as the subject of a sentence.
– Example: “Running is good for your health.”
2. **Gerunds as Objects**: Gerunds can also be used as the object of a verb.
– Example: “She enjoys reading.”
3. **After Prepositions**: Gerunds are commonly used after prepositions.
– Example: “He is interested in learning Spanish.”
4. **After Certain Verbs**: Some verbs are followed by gerunds. These include enjoy, avoid, consider, and suggest.
– Example: “They avoided talking about the issue.”
Basic Rules for Using Infinitives
1. **Infinitives as Subjects**: Infinitives can act as the subject of a sentence, although this is less common.
– Example: “To travel is my dream.”
2. **Infinitives as Objects**: Infinitives are often used as the object of a verb.
– Example: “She wants to dance.”
3. **After Certain Verbs**: Some verbs are followed by infinitives. These include want, need, decide, and promise.
– Example: “He decided to leave early.”
4. **Purpose Statements**: Infinitives are commonly used to express the purpose of an action.
– Example: “He went to the store to buy milk.”
Common Verbs Followed by Gerunds or Infinitives
Verbs Followed by Gerunds
Some verbs are always followed by gerunds. Here is a list of common ones:
– Enjoy: “I enjoy playing basketball.”
– Avoid: “She avoids eating junk food.”
– Consider: “They considered moving to a new city.”
– Suggest: “He suggested taking a different route.”
– Recommend: “I recommend reading this book.”
Verbs Followed by Infinitives
Some verbs are always followed by infinitives. Here is a list of common ones:
– Want: “I want to learn French.”
– Need: “She needs to finish her homework.”
– Decide: “They decided to go to the beach.”
– Promise: “He promised to help with the project.”
– Plan: “We plan to travel next summer.”
Verbs Followed by Either Gerunds or Infinitives
Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning changes depending on which one is used. Here are a few examples:
– **Remember**:
– Gerund: “I remember meeting him at the party.” (I have a memory of meeting him.)
– Infinitive: “Remember to meet him at the party.” (Don’t forget to meet him.)
– **Stop**:
– Gerund: “He stopped smoking.” (He quit smoking.)
– Infinitive: “He stopped to smoke.” (He stopped what he was doing in order to smoke.)
– **Try**:
– Gerund: “She tried running every day.” (She experimented with running.)
– Infinitive: “She tried to run every day.” (She made an effort to run, but it may not have been successful.)
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Understanding the basic rules is one thing, but applying them correctly can be tricky. Here are some common mistakes and tips on how to avoid them:
Confusing Gerunds and Infinitives
One common mistake is using an infinitive when a gerund is needed, and vice versa. To avoid this, memorize which verbs are followed by gerunds and which are followed by infinitives.
– Incorrect: “She enjoys to read.”
– Correct: “She enjoys reading.”
– Incorrect: “I want going to the park.”
– Correct: “I want to go to the park.”
Using Infinitives Without “To”
Another mistake is forgetting to use “to” before the infinitive. Remember, the infinitive form usually includes “to.”
– Incorrect: “He decided go to the store.”
– Correct: “He decided to go to the store.”
Using Gerunds After Certain Verbs
Some verbs should always be followed by gerunds. Forgetting this can lead to incorrect sentences.
– Incorrect: “They suggest to take a break.”
– Correct: “They suggest taking a break.”
Practical Tips for Mastering Gerunds and Infinitives
Practice Through Writing
One of the best ways to master gerunds and infinitives is through writing. Try to write sentences or short paragraphs using both forms. This will help reinforce the rules and make them more intuitive.
– Example: “I enjoy running in the park. I plan to run there every morning.”
Use Flashcards
Flashcards can be a great tool for memorizing which verbs are followed by gerunds and which are followed by infinitives. Write the verb on one side and the correct form on the other.
– Example: “enjoy” (front) – “reading” (back)
– Example: “want” (front) – “to learn” (back)
Engage in Conversations
Practice speaking with native speakers or fellow learners. Try to use gerunds and infinitives in your conversations. This will help you become more comfortable with these forms in a natural setting.
– Example: “I decided to join a book club. I really enjoy reading.”
Read Extensively
Reading books, articles, and other materials in English can expose you to the natural use of gerunds and infinitives. Pay attention to how they are used and try to incorporate similar structures into your own writing and speech.
– Example: While reading a novel, note sentences like “She loves to dance” and “He suggested going to the park.”
Seek Feedback
Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from teachers or native speakers. They can point out mistakes and offer suggestions for improvement.
– Example: Write a short essay and ask someone to review it, focusing on your use of gerunds and infinitives.
Advanced Considerations
Once you have a good grasp of the basic rules, you can start exploring more advanced aspects of gerunds and infinitives.
Passive Infinitives
In some cases, the infinitive can be in a passive form. This is often used to emphasize the action rather than the subject.
– Example: “The book is easy to read.” (The focus is on the ease of reading, not who is reading.)
Perfect Gerunds and Infinitives
Perfect gerunds and infinitives are used to show that the action of the gerund or infinitive happened before the action of the main verb.
– Perfect Gerund: “He denied having stolen the money.”
– Perfect Infinitive: “She claims to have seen the accident.”
Infinitive of Purpose
The infinitive can be used to express the purpose of an action.
– Example: “I went to the store to buy some milk.”
Gerunds After Possessives
In formal English, gerunds can be preceded by possessive adjectives.
– Example: “I appreciate your helping me.”
Conclusion
Mastering the use of gerunds and infinitives is a vital part of becoming proficient in English. By understanding the basic rules, avoiding common mistakes, and practicing regularly, you can improve your skills significantly. Remember, language learning is a gradual process, and consistency is key. Keep practicing, seek feedback, and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. With time and effort, you’ll find that using gerunds and infinitives becomes second nature.
