Verbs Followed by An Infinitive and Geru
Verbs Followed by An Infinitive and Geru
Verbs Followed by An Infinitive and Geru
Note: Some of these verbs are included in the list above and may be used without an object.
1. A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing." The gerund form of the verb "read" is "reading." You
can use a gerund as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence.
Reading helps you learn English. SUBJECT OF SENTENCE
Her favorite hobby is reading. COMPLEMENT OF SENTENCE
I enjoy reading. OBJECT OF SENTENCE
2. Infinitives are the "to" form of the verb. The infinitive form of "learn" is "to learn." You can also use an
infinitive as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence.
To learn is important. SUBJECT OF SENTENCE
The most important thing is to learn. COMPLEMENT OF SENTENCE
He wants to learn. OBJECT OF SENTENCE
3. Both gerunds and infinitives can be used as the subject or the complement of a sentence. However, as
subjects or complements, gerunds usually sound more like normal, spoken English, whereas infinitives
sound more abstract. In the following sentences, gerunds sound more natural and would be more common
in everyday English. Infinitives emphasize the possibility or potential for something and sound more
philosophical. If this sounds confusing, just remember that 90% of the time, you will use a gerund as the
subject or complement of a sentence.
Learning is important. NORMAL SUBJECT
To learn is important. ABSTRACT SUBJECT - LESS COMMON
The most important thing is learning. NORMAL COMPLEMENT
The most important thing is to learn. ABSTRACT COMPLEMENT - LESS COMMON
4. As the object of a sentence, it is more difficult to choose between a gerund or an infinitive. In such
situations, gerunds and infinitives are not normally interchangeable. Usually, the main verb in the sentence
determines whether you use a gerund or an infinitive.
He enjoys swimming. "ENJOY" REQUIRES A GERUND.
He wants to swim. "WANT" REQUIRES AN INFINITIVE.
6. Gerunds can often be modified with possessive forms such as his, her, its, your, their, our, John's, Mary's,
the machine's, and so on. This makes it clearer who or what is performing the action.
I enjoyed their singing. THEY WERE SINGING.
She understood his saying no to the offer. HE SAID NO.
Sam resented Debbie's coming late to the dinner. DEBBIE CAME LATE TO THE DINNER.
We discussed the machine's being broken. THE MACHINE IS BROKEN.
7. Some verbs are followed by a noun plus an infinitive. In some situations, the noun is required. In other
situations, the noun is optional.
The police ordered the man to stop. NOUN IS REQUIRED
She asked to leave. NOUN IS OPTIONAL
She asked him to leave. NOUN IS OPTIONAL
8. Gerunds are used after prepositions. Most commonly, these are "verb + preposition" combinations. For
reference, see the Verb + Preposition Dictionary and the Phrasal Verb Dictionary. You don't have to
memorize these resources, you just need to remember that gerunds are used after prepositions!
They admitted to committing the crime.
Leslie made up for forgetting my birthday.
He is thinking about studying abroad.