Grammar - Gerund and infinitive

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

What is a Gerund

• Verb+ing
• Is it a verb or is it a noun? 
• A gerund is a verbal noun, this means it looks like a verb but it performs the functions of a noun. 

when to use a gerund?

Gerunds (ing)

1. After a preposition - She is good at playing games.
2. When it is the subject of the sentence - Smoking is bad for your health.
3. After some verbs (verbs of preference: hate, don't mind , like) - I don't mind running in the rain.

to + infinitive

 when to use it?

1. After adjectives - My house is easy  to find.
2. To express purpose  - She is saving money to travel 
3. After some verbs (want, need , learn, hope, expect, decide ) - I want to ride my bike

Gerunds and Infinitives

Gerunds are nouns formed from verbs. Gerunds are formed by adding –ing to the end of a verb. Some examples are eating, playing, and listening. Infinitives use to before the verb so the examples above would be to eat, to play, and to listen. Both can be used as the subject or object of a sentence. 

ex 1:Sentence examples showing a verb followed by a gerund:

I avoid swimming in shark infested waters.

I enjoy eating chocolate in the bath.

I practise singing in the shower.

I fancy ............. ing    ....... .............................................................

I deny   ...........................ing        ...............................................

They  miss .................ing     ..........................................................

He risks losing .....................................................................

ex 1:Sentence examples showing a verb followed by an infinitive +to

I expect to go to London at Christmas

She offers to help out every Tuesday

They refuse to do their homework

We want  to go to Spain at Easter

He threatens to leave his wife if she doesn't stop drinking.

We deserve   ...................................................

I manage ...................................................       

ex 1:Sentence examples showing a verb followed by a gerund OR an infinitive 

I like swimming with dolphins / I like to swim with dolphins

I prefer eating at home. / I prefer to eat at home

I begin learning Arabic at school / I begin to learn Arabic at school

I continue ___________(ing).........../ I continue to ..........................

I love ___________   ................. / I love to ..............................

Let's try! 

Eliza recommended ----- in a dim sum restaurant while we're in Hong Kong.

1. eating
2. to eat

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

1. talking
2. to talk

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

1. seeing
2. to see

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

1. being
2. to be

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

1. fixing
2. to fix

She refused --- to me after our fight.

1. speaking
2. to speak