Introduction to Gerunds and Infinitives

In English grammar, Gerunds and Infinitives are verb forms that can function as nouns in a sentence. They allow us to speak about actions and activities as concepts, subjects, or objects.

Understanding when to use a Gerund (e.g., swimming) and when to use an Infinitive (e.g., to swim) is one of the most important aspects of mastering advanced English grammar.

1. What is a Gerund?

A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (Verb-ing) that functions as a noun.

  • Reading is relaxing. (Here, “reading” is the subject of the sentence).
  • I enjoy swimming. (Here, “swimming” is the direct object).

2. What is an Infinitive?

An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the particle to (the to-infinitive). Sometimes, we use the base verb without to (the bare infinitive).

  • I want to buy a book. (To-infinitive as object).
  • He made me cry. (Bare infinitive after the verb “make”).

3. The 5 Sub-Topic Areas of Gerunds & Infinitives

To master this grammar topic, we will break it down into five key lessons:

  1. Understanding Gerunds: Detailed usage of gerunds as subjects, direct objects, and subject complements.
  2. Understanding Infinitives: Detailed usage of to-infinitives and bare infinitives in sentences.
  3. Verbs Followed by Gerunds or Infinitives: Memorizing which verbs can only take a gerund (e.g. enjoy, avoid), and which can only take an infinitive (e.g. want, decide).
  4. Verbs with Meaning Changes: Exploring verbs like forget, remember, stop, and try which can take both forms but change their meaning completely.
  5. Gerunds after Prepositions: The absolute rule that any verb following a preposition must be in the gerund form.

Let’s begin by exploring Understanding Gerunds to see how verb-ing forms take on the role of nouns in English.