Gerund,

Infinitive,
Participle

ENGLISH

Copyright © 2014-2020 TestBook Edu Solutions Pvt. Ltd.: All rights reserved
 Download Testbook App

Gerund, Infinitive, Participle

VERB

FINITE VERB NON - FINITE

VERB

Particle Gerund Infinitives

A Brief Introduction
Verb is a grammatical structure that conveys the action of a subject, a state of being,
and an occurrence. Verbs appear and are used different structurally in a sentence. A
verb, generally, is divided into two on the basis of the structure.

Let’s have a look at it:

Specimen 1: The ministers boast to win the votes.

Specimen 2: The ministers boast for winning the votes.

Specimen 3: Let winning be a habit.

Specimen 4: Let them win.

As maintained by, in these four specimens above, the verb ‘win’ has been used
differently according to the structure of the sentence. The same has been explained
further.

ENGLISH | Gerund, Infinitive, Participle PAGE 2

 Download Testbook App

Types of Verbs (Structurally: On the

basis of the usage in a sentence)
Finite Verb
• When a verb has a subject and a tense attach to it, then it is considered to be ‘Finite
Verb’.

Non - Finite Verb

• When a form of verb follows a main action verb, then it is considered to be ‘Non -
Finite Verb’.

Difference between ‘Finite’ and ‘Non-

Finite’
Finite Verbs Non Finite Verbs

Finite verbs are main verbs Non finite verbs are additional verbs

Finite verbs change according to Non finite verbs are not affected by
tense tense.

Finite verb can only be one in a Non finite verbs can be more than
clause. one in a clause.

Eg. We are planning to visit a Eg. We are planning to visit a

happening club tonight. happening club tonight.

ENGLISH | Gerund, Infinitive, Participle PAGE 3

 Download Testbook App

Types of Non- Finite Verbs

• Infinitive

• Gerund

• Participle

Infinitive Verb
Infinitive is a kind of noun with certain features of a verb. “To” is used with the basic
form of verb to generate infinitives. (to+verb1)

In English, when we talk about the infinitive we are usually referring to the present
infinitive (to+verb1), which is the most common.

There are, however, five other forms of the infinitive: the perfect infinitive (to have +
verb3), the perfect continuous infinitive (to have been + verbing), the continuous
infinitive (to be + verbing), the passive infinitive (to be + verb3) & the direct infinitive
(verb1).

Rule #1: How + Infinitive

When Infinitive is used to express manner, method or a learning process, it is
required to insert “how” before the infinitive resulting in the full structure-
“How + to + verb1”

Example:-

i) He knows to read and write English. (WRONG)

He knows how to read and write English. (CORRECT)

ii) My father taught him to drive a car. (WRONG)

My father taught him how to drive a car. (CORRECT)

ENGLISH | Gerund, Infinitive, Participle PAGE 4

 Download Testbook App

Rule #2: Difference between ‘to+verb1’ and ‘for+verbing’

I. “To+verb1” - infinitive is used to mention “purpose” whereas

II. “for+verbing”- for+gerund is used to mention “reason”.

Examples:-

i) Rekha was punished to come late. (WRONG)

Rekha was punished for coming late. (CORRECT)

In the above sentence “infinitive” is at its incorrect usage since Rekha was punished for
the reason (coming late) and not for the purpose.

Rule #3: Direct Infinitive (Bare infinitive)

Infinitive (to+verb1) Direct Infinitive (verb1)
Infinitive or Bare infinitive is a kind of Direct Infinitive is the infinitive without 'to'
verbal noun with certain features of a verb. but has the same function as of an infinitive.
‘To’ is used with the base form of a verb.
For instance: ‘run’, ‘eat’, ‘sleep’.
For instance: ‘to run’, ‘to eat’, ‘to sleep’.

Direct Infinitive is used after the followings:-

a. Verbs- “let, bid, make, know, help, feel, hear, watch, see”

b. Phrases- “had better, had rather, would better, would rather”

c. Modals- “should, would, can, may, might, could, will, shall, must”

d. Phrases- “why, why not”

e. Structure- “have+object”

Examples:-

a. He makes me to feel happy. (remove “feel” instead of “to feel”)

b. You had better left leave village now. (use “leave” instead of “left”)

c. People should not to play gambling. (use “play” instead of “to play”)

d. Why not to cast vote against him. (use “cast” instead of “to cast”)

e. I will have him to recite the poem. (use “recite” for “to recite”)

ENGLISH | Gerund, Infinitive, Participle PAGE 5

 Download Testbook App

EXCEPTION:
Direct infinitive is used after "let*, bid, make, help, see, hear" if only the sentence is
given in "active voice"
In case sentence is given in passive voice, Above mentioned verbs will also follow
Infinitive (to+verb1)

Example:

1. I made the student write an essay. (CORRECT) (active voice)

2. The student was made to write an essay by me. (CORRECT) (passive voice)

*NOTE:- "let" is the only verb that is followed by direct infinitive(verb1) both in active
and passive voice.

1. He let me go. (CORRECT) (active voice)

2. I was let go by him. (CORRECT) (passive voice)

Gerund
A Gerund is a non finite verb which functions as a noun. It is formed by adding 'ing'
with a verb.- (verbing)

I. A gerund can be either the subject or object of a sentence.

II. In most cases 'gerund' and 'infinitives' are easily replaceable.

Example:-

1. I like to swim.

2. I like swimming.

Difference between Gerund and Present participle

The gerund looks exactly the same as a present participle because both have the same
form i.e. "verbing" but it is useful to understand the difference between the two.

1) The gerund always has the same function as a noun.

Eg. Dancing is a good exercise.

2) The present participle has the same function as an adjective or a connector.

Eg. Pinki plays with her dancing doll.

ENGLISH | Gerund, Infinitive, Participle PAGE 6

 Download Testbook App

Rule #1: Preposition + Gerund

Gerund is used after certain verbs/phrases that are followed by appropriate prepositions
instead of “to”

Examples:

i. I was prohibited from go there. (WRONG)

I was prohibited from going there. (CORRECT)

ii. She is confident of get success. (WRONG)

She is confident of getting success. (CORRECT)

Rule #2: Direct Gerund

Direct gerund means using Verb+ing directly after the verb without any preposition.
The following phrases and certain verbs are followed by direct gerund.

‘‘Avoid, mind, detest, can’t help, can’t bear, resist, enjoy, resent, stop, start, postpone,
defer, worth, prefer, consider, practise, finish, risk, pardon, excuse, forgive, it is no
good/use, miss, imagine, regret, anticipate”

Examples:

i. She enjoyed to ride on the hills. (WRONG)

She enjoyed riding on the hills. (CORRECT)

ii. You should avoid to be extravagant. (WRONG)

You should avoid being extravagant. (CORRECT)

iii. It is no use to cry before a callous judge. (WRONG)

It is no use crying before a callous judge. (CORRECT)

Rule #3: To + Gerund

After preposition “to” 1st form of verb is used but in certain cases given below
“Verb+ing” - Gerund is used. Note the use of gerund correctly with to.-

“Be used to, accustomed to, averse to, with a view to, due to, immune to, inclined to,
prior to, addicted to, devoted to, in addition to, look forward to, object to, owing to, given
to, taken to, disposed to, prone to”

ENGLISH | Gerund, Infinitive, Participle PAGE 7

 Download Testbook App

Examples:

i. Students buy testbook pass with a view to take mock tests. (WRONG)
Students buy testbook pass with a view to taking mock tests. (CORRECT)

ii. Children are prone to make mischief. (WRONG)

Children are prone to making mischief. (CORRECT)

Participle
Participle is a word that is formed from a verb and that ends in -ing (present participle)
or -ed, -en, etc. (past participle).
In short - Participles are “ing” or “3rd” form of Verb.

They are usually of three kinds:

• Present participle (verbing)

• Past participle (verb3)

• Perfect participle (having+verb3)

Functions of participles are:-

I. to act as an adjective

II. to act as a connector

Rule #1 : Participle as an Adjective

A. Present participle (verbing) is used to mention nature or habit of a noun or
pronoun
Eg. Dancing doll. = A doll that dances

B. Past participle (verb3) is used to mention the condition of a noun or pronoun.

Eg. Burnt finger = A finger which is in burnt condition.

ENGLISH | Gerund, Infinitive, Participle PAGE 8

 Download Testbook App

Example:-

i. A print press was seized by the officials. (WRONG)

A printing press was seized by the officials. (CORRECT)
(Printing - present participle - as an adjective telling the quality or nature of
press. A press that prints)

ii. Seema returned disappoint. (WRONG)

Seema returned disappointed. (CORRECT)
(disappointed- past participle - as an adjective telling about the condition of
Seema that she was happy or hopeful)

Rule #2 : Participle as a connector

A. Present participle (Verbing) is used to connect to clauses when there is no time
gap in actions. (Actions happening simultaneously).

Example -

i. I saw a man. He was crossing the road.

= I saw a man crossing the road.

ii. She was studying late at night. She slept on her books.
= Studying late at night, she slept on her books.

B. Past participle (Verb3) is used to connect the clauses when there is no time gap
and the sentence is in passive voice.

Example -

i. Workers were dressed in black. They shouted slogans against the manager.
= Dressed in black, workers shouted slogans against the manager.

ii. I was surprised at the news. I rushed to the airport.

= Surprised at the news, I rushed to the airport.

C. Perfect participle (having+verb3) is used to connect clauses when there is a time

gap to show.

Example -

ENGLISH | Gerund, Infinitive, Participle PAGE 9

 Download Testbook App

i. The sun rose. Farmers went to their fields.

=Having the sun risen, Farmers went to their fields.
(after the sun had risen then the farmers went to their fields)

ii. I passed Intermediate. I got a job in jubilant foodworks.

= Having passed Intermediate, I got a job in jubilant foodworks.
(after I had passed Intermediate, I got a job in jubilant foodworks)

Sample Questions for Practice

Question 1:

Directions: The given sentence has been broken up into four different parts. The
error, if any, will be in one or more parts of the sentence. Select the option which
contains the part of the sentence which is free from an error. If all are incorrect
choose Option 5 as your answer.

MGNREGA was described as a “living monument” of Congress failure in

address poverty. (A) Now the government has decided to allocate (B) an additional
₹40,000 crore to MGNREGA. (C) This is welcomed as it will provide a semblance of
relief during distress in rural India. (D)

Solution:

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. Parts B, C, and D are free from error.

• In part A of the sentence the usage of 'address' is wrong

instead, 'addressing'.

• Because 'address' is a verb, we need a noun after a preposition to make a

prepositional object as addressing is a gerund that acts as a noun.

• let's see examples for more clarity:

 I am tired of working here. (here 'working' is a gerund that is acting as a

noun.)

ENGLISH | Gerund, Infinitive, Participle PAGE 10

 Download Testbook App

 She took a deep breath and let it out before addressing her father in a
determined voice. (here 'before' is a preposition and 'addressing' is a
prepositional object and it is a gerund too.)

So the correct sentence is:

MGNREGA was described as a “living monument” of Congress failure in addressing
poverty. Now the government has decided to allocate an additional ₹40,000 crore to
MGNREGA. This is welcomed as it will provide a semblance of relief during distress in
rural India.

Question 2:

Directions: The given sentence has been broken up into four different parts. The
error, if any, will be in one or more parts of the sentence. Select the option which
contains the part of the sentence which is free from an error. If all are incorrect
choose Option 5 as your answer.

The exams were supposed to begin on March 27 (A) but were postponed owing to the
COVID-19 lockdown. Now, These exams (B) will go on till June 12 and will begin with
the Language paper. Also, (C) Buses will be arranged to pick up and drop the students.
(D)

Solution:

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. parts B, C, and D are error-free.

• In part A, The usage of 'Simple infinitive' is wrong instead of it use 'perfect infinitive'.

• Perfect infinitive should be used if the action expressed by the infinitive

precedes the action of the finite verb.

• So according to the rule given above, Instead of using 'to begin' use 'to have begun'

• Let's see an example: She denied to have seen them yesterday.

So the correct sentence is:

The exams were supposed to have begun on March 27 but were postponed owing to
the COVID-19 lockdown. Now, These exams will go on till June 12 and will begin with
the Language paper. Also, Buses will be arranged to pick up and drop the students

ENGLISH | Gerund, Infinitive, Participle PAGE 11

 Download Testbook App

Let’s Practice
PREVIOUS YEARS’ QUESTIONS ASKED IN BANK & INSURANCE EXAMS

ERROR_DETECTION: 1

 India has entered a downward spiral (1) where the organized, productive and law
abide (2) sectors are subject to savage amount (3) of multiple taxes (4) No error (5)

 Illegal sand mining (1) has become a boom business (2) fuelled by the ever
increasing (3) demand of the civil industry (4) No error (5)

 The city is flood with tourists (1) be that at monuments for wildlife tourism or
adventure tourism (2) but sighting a foreign tourist is a rarity nowadays (3) in the
burgeoning number of domestic tourists (4) No error (5)

 It is now after seventy years after independence (1) that India is learning to
negotiate (2) the competing demands (3) of power and justice (4)

 PM, recently, in a video conference (1) discussed the importance of languages (2)
and appealed to the younger generation (3) develop reading habits.(4) No error (5)

ENGLISH | Gerund, Infinitive, Participle PAGE 12