English Grammar Lesson: Gerunds and Infinitives

1. What are Gerunds?

Definition: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb that functions as a noun in a sentence.

Examples:

Subject: Swimming is my favorite hobby.
Object: She enjoys reading books.
After Prepositions: He is good at painting.

2. What are Infinitives?

Definition: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, often preceded by the word “to.” Infinitives can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a sentence.

Examples:

Subject: To run is difficult for me.
Object: They decided to leave early.
After Adjectives: It is important to eat healthy food.

3. Gerunds vs. Infinitives: When to Use Each

Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning may change, while others strictly require one or the other. Here’s a basic guideline:

3.1 Verbs Followed by Gerunds

Certain verbs are typically followed by gerunds:

enjoy, avoid, consider, suggest, risk, miss, practice

Examples:

She enjoys dancing.
They avoided talking to him.

3.2 Verbs Followed by Infinitives

Other verbs are followed by infinitives:

want, decide, plan, hope, learn, promise, need

Examples:

He wants to visit Paris.
They decided to stay at home.

3.3 Verbs That Can Be Followed by Either Gerunds or Infinitives

Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning may change slightly:

remember, forget, stop, try

Examples:

She remembered locking the door. (She locked it, then remembered)
She remembered to lock the door. (She remembered first, then locked it)
He stopped smoking. (He quit smoking)
He stopped to smoke. (He paused to smoke)

4. Common Mistakes with Gerunds and Infinitives

Many learners struggle with knowing which verbs take gerunds, which take infinitives, and when both can be used. Practice and exposure to the language are key to mastering this aspect of English grammar.

Examples of common mistakes:

Incorrect: I enjoy to swim.
Correct: I enjoy swimming.
Incorrect: He wants visiting her.
Correct: He wants to visit her.