IN English language There are three non-finite forms of the verb: the Infinitive, the Gerund, and the Participle. This article will focus on two of them - the infinitive and the gerund.

The peculiarity of non-finite forms of the verb in comparison with personal ones is that the infinitive and gerund do not change according to persons, numbers and tenses and do not have a mood category. Non-finite forms of the verb have grammatical forms of voice, aspect, and also express temporal reference to the action of the personal verb-predicate (simultaneity, antecedent).

In this article you will learn:

Forms and syntactic function of the infinitive and gerund

Infinitive forms (Table 1)

Gerund forms (Table 2).

There are significant similarities between the infinitive and the gerund, which is why using them is often difficult. Both verb forms perform a number of syntactic functions of a noun, i.e. they can be used as a subject, complement, determiner, or nominal part of a nominal compound predicate.

Syntactic functions of the infinitive and gerund (Table 3)

A gerund, like a noun, can be used with a possessive pronoun or a noun in the possessive case and with prepositions:

I insist on his coming to the meeting.

She is proud of her son's studying at university.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you shortly.

GERUND describes an action in noun form. The INFINITIVE most often indicates a purpose or reason. However, without knowing the rules, it is often very difficult to decide what should be used in a sentence - an infinitive or a gerund.

Cases of using the infinitive.

The infinitive can be used with or without the particle to. You can read more about this in .

So, let's list the cases in which it is necessary to use the infinitive.

The infinitive is used:

• After a whole series of verbs. The list of verbs is given below.

List of verbs after which the infinitive is used (Table 4)

List of verbs followed by a noun or pronoun + infinitive (Table 5)

Not agreed to help me. - He agreed to help me.

I am trying to improve myself. - I'm trying to make myself better.

• After the verbs advise (advise), allow (allow), convince (convince), encourage (inspire), convince (convince) and others if present after them direct object expressed by a noun or pronoun:

They don't allow drivers to park here. — They don't allow drivers to park their cars here.

I advise you not to follow his example. “I advise you not to follow his example.”

• After phrases would like/would love/would prefer(I would like to)

I'd love to play tennis now. - I would like to play tennis now.

Wouldn't prefer to play tennis with Pete. — He would rather play tennis with Pete.

• After adjectives nice, sorry, glad, happy, afraid, ashamed, kind etc. in phrases of the following type:

He is glad to be back home again. - He's glad to be home again.

It was impossible to believe their story. “It’s impossible to believe their story.”

• After the construction It is/was/has been + adjective + of + noun/pronoun:

It is nice of him to visit me in the hospital. - It was nice of him to visit me in the hospital.

It was foolish of me to ski without any lessons. — It was stupid of me to ski without prior training.

• After too (too) and enough (enough):

It is never too late to study. - It's never too late to learn.

It's too late to go there. - It's too late to go there.

• In constructions so + adjective + as to INFINITIVE:

Would you be so kind as to help me with my English? —Would you be so kind as to help me with my English?

• After the words who (who), what (what), where (where), when (when), how (how), which (which). The exception is the word why:

I have no idea what to buy. — I have no idea what to buy.

I am not sure which company to hire. — I'm not sure which company to hire.

BUT: Why not go there?

In phrases

• to be honest (to be honest),
• to tell you the truth (in truth),
• to be frank (frankly speaking),
• to begin with (let's start with that), etc.

To be honest, I hate the cold weather. — To be honest, I hate cold weather.

Then tell you the truth, I miss the summer. — To tell the truth, I miss summer.

That be frank, snow has never excited me. — Frankly speaking, I never liked snow.

• The infinitive is used in a complex object with or without the particle to.

I want him to help. - I want him to help.

Without the particle to, the infinitive in a complex object is used after verbs expressing perception by the senses: see, watch, observe, notice, hear, feel, etc. Infinitive in in this case it is used without the particle to and denotes a completed action!

I saw them cross the street. — I saw them cross the street.

I heard him sing. — I heard him sing.

• After the expressions: the first, the second, the last, the only:

He is always the first to come. - He always comes first.

• After only.

She went there only to see him once more - She went there only to see him again.

The main uses of the gerund.

The gerund is used after a number of verbs presented in the following table.

Verbs that are always followed by a gerund (gerund) (Table 6).

• After the verbs love, like, enjoy, prefer, dislike, hate, detest when talking about a lifelong habit;

Do you like living in your city? — Do you like living in your city?

Doesn't prefer doing everything in time. — He prefers to do everything on time.

I have always enjoyed cooking Italian food. — I always liked cooking Italian dishes.

The twins hate being apart. - Geminis hate being apart.

I detest reading anything about myself. “I can’t stand reading about myself.”

• After the verb spend (spend), waste (spend), lose (lose) in the phrases spend/waste/lose time, money (spend money, time):

I spend much time trying to help him him. “I spend a lot of time trying to help him.

People don’t want to waste their time eating in the restaurants at lunch time. — People don’t want to waste time eating in restaurants during a break.

• After prepositions:

Don't ran all the way home without stopping. “I ran all the way home without stopping.”

Not apologized for being late. — He apologized for being late.

We suggest you remember the following verbs with prepositions, after which the gerund is used. Of course, the presence of a preposition itself will tell you to use a gerund, but knowing these verbs with postpositions is very useful.

List of verbs with prepositions followed by a gerund (Table 7).

List of adjectives/participles with prepositions followed by a gerund (Table 8)

List of nouns with prepositions followed by a gerund (Table 9)

PLEASE NOTE that in following expressions to is a preposition, not a particle, so you need to use a gerund, not an infinitive:

• adjust to (adapt),
• be/get used to (get used to),
• look forward-to (look forward to),
• object to

Gerunds are used after phrases

• it’s no use/good (useless),
• it’s (not) worth (not/worth),
• be busy (to be busy),
• what"s the use of...? (what is the use...?),
• there"s no point in... (there is no point in...),
• can’t help (impossible to resist),
• be/get used to (get used to),
• feel like (to be inclined, to want),
• look forward to (look forward to)
• can't stand

This book is worth reading. - This book is worth reading.

I was busy repairing the car. — I was busy fixing the car.

What's the use of crying? - What is the use of crying?

There is no point in doing it now. - There is no point in doing this.

Not got used to living in a hot country. — He is used to living in a hot country.

The audience can't help laughing. — The audience couldn’t help but laugh.

I am looking forward to hearing from you. - I look forward to your answer.

INFINITIVE OR GERUND: special cases.

In this part we will talk about those verbs after which it is possible to use both an infinitive and a gerund.

BEGIN /START /CONTINUE

After these verbs, either a gerund or an infinitive can be used, the meaning of the sentence does not change:

They started to sing. = They started singing.

DISLIKE /HATE/PREFER

The situation is similar, you can use both gerund and infinitive.

People hate to be criticized. = People hate being criticized.

ADVISE /ALLOW/PERMIT /ENCOURAGE /RECOMMEND

If these verbs are followed by an object, then the infinitive is used. In the absence of an object, a gerund is used:

We were not advised to take a trip. = He advised taking a trip.

NEED/REQUIRE /WANT

The verbs need (need), require (demand), want (want) in a general sense require the use of an infinitive, however, if we are talking about proposals for repair / improvement, when we are dealing with a passive meaning, then we can use a gerund or infinitive passive.

The car needs repairing. = The car needs to be repaired.

After the following verbs, either a gerund or an infinitive can be used, but the meaning of the sentence is changes.

FORGET (forget):

Forget + to INF – forget to do something

Forget + Ving - forget that you did something

I forgot to take my camera to the park. — I forgot to take my camera to the park.

I forgot taking my camera to the park. — I forgot that I took the camera to the park.

REGRET (regret))

Regret + to INF – regret having to do something (often with)

Regret + Ving - to regret that something has already been done

I regret to tell you that I’m leaving. I'm sorry, but I have to say that I'm leaving.

I regret telling you that I’m leaving. “I regret what I said about leaving.”

REMEMBER (remember):

Remember + to INF – remember that you need to do something

Remember + Ving – remember what has already been done

Didn't remember to send the invitation. “He remembered and sent an invitation.

Didn't remember sending the invitation. — He remembered that he had sent an invitation.

STOP (stopsya):

Stop + to INF – stop to do something

Stop + Ving – stop / stop doing something

Not stopped to talk to Gerald. — He stopped to talk to the Herald.

She stopped talking to him five weeks ago. “She stopped talking to him five weeks ago.”

TRY (try)

Try + to-inf. - try as an experiment

Try + Ving - try

Try to throw the ball into the basket. - Try to throw the ball into the basket.

Try cooking this meat. – Try to cook this meat.

GO ON (continue)

go on + to-inf (stop doing something and start doing something else).

go on + Ving (continue doing one action)

Not cleaned the yard and then went on to water the flowers. - He cleaned the yard and then began to water the flowers,

We went on dancing until we got tired. — We continued dancing until we got tired.

mean + to-inf - intend to do something

mean + Ving - to mean, to assume

She means to study physics in London this year. – This year she is going (has the intention) to teach physics in London.

This new job means living abroad. – This new job involves living abroad.

like + to inf. - expresses a one-time desire, intention, preference

like + Ving - meaning like very much, synonym enjoy

I like to be punctual. – I prefer to be punctual.

I like swimming. - I like swimming.

Now you can do the exercises on.

A foreign language is complicated not only by its special phonetic and lexical systems, but also, for the most part, by grammatical categories, especially when they do not have a corresponding analogue in native speech. Today we are waiting for one of the most difficult topics - gerunds and infinitives in English. We will diligently try to understand what role these grammatical structures play, we will figure out where the border of their sphere of use lies, and we will consolidate the assimilation of information by completing the exercise. The material is voluminous and contains many points that require detailed attention and memorization, so be prepared for thorough work. Let's get started!

Gerund vs. Infinitive - differences in application

Let's start by defining the meaning of these categories.

Infinitive – indefinite form of verbs denoting actions; the basic stage for the formation of all other verb constructions. The main question for this grammatical unit: what to do?

Gerund – an impersonal verb form that takes on some of the characteristics of a noun; expresses action processes. Interrogative combination for the following expressions: doing what?

The logical conclusion from these definitions is that the use of the infinitive and gerund is dictated by the desire to indicate some action. In addition, both concepts do not vary in numbers and persons, and do not have a mood category. However, even at first acquaintance you can find differences in their functions:

• Denoting an action with means implies the brevity of the event. The gerund is associated with more general concepts and processes extended over time.
• As a rule, infinitive actions, by their purpose, relate to the future tense, since they are a certain goal. Accordingly, processes most often express the present or the past.
• The infinitive has a neutral meaning, while the use of the gerund is dictated by the fact that the interlocutor perceives the specified actions as a specific case. Therefore, in such sentences one can often find circumstances related to the situation.
• Due to the fact that the English language always strives for simplification, in modern speech there is a tendency to replace complex –ing forms with infinitives.

When solving exercises on infinitives and gerunds, it is important to remember that the tense constructions of these grammatical categories are also different. We give examples of them in a general table.

From the table it follows that the infinitive form has much more possibilities for use. But it seems so only at first glance, because in reality everything is much more complicated.

Unfortunately, English grammar does not have a uniform rule about when to use a gerund or an infinitive. But there are a number of exceptional cases in which only one of the forms is used. These can be both syntactic roles in a sentence and stable connections with certain verbs. In order to understand the correct use of these structures, let us compare the norms characteristic of them in another table.

This information is extremely important, so the table must be, if not memorized, then at least printed out and carried with you during the practical exercise.

It is no secret that both the gerund and the infinitive have stable connections with some verbs. There are so many such examples that they will require a separate table.

We learned how modern English distinguishes between gerunds and infinitives. But it’s still too early to do the exercises, since we have not considered one important point - the interaction of both forms with the same verbs. Sometimes, this is a positive fact that allows you to use both categories without changing the meaning. But there are cases when the meaning of a phrase is radically different. Let's consider them.

Gerund and infinitive in English with common verbs

In order to clearly show the dependence of the context on the grammatical structure used, we will also present examples of such situations in the form of a summary table.

Now you can confidently perform exercises on gerunds and infinitives used in English. Good luck in practicing the acquired knowledge!

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The two groups of verbs below can be followed either by the gerund or by the infinitive. Usually this has no effect on the meaning, but with some verbs there is a clear difference in meaning. Verbs marked * can also be followed by a that-clause.

Below are two groups of verbs that can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive. Usually this does not affect the meaning at all, but for some verbs still have a clear effect. After verbs marked *, there can also be a that-clause (clause in a complex sentence starting with

that)

A. Verbs where there is little or no difference in meaning:

B. Verbs after which the use of a gerund or infinitive (almost) does not change the meaning

1. Notes: Notes: Allow

is used in these two patterns: 1. Verb Allow (=allow, allow)

used in two designs: a.

Allow + object + to-infinitive:A.

• Allow + object + to-infinitive: Her parents allowed her to go
• to the party.

Her parents allowed her to go to the party b.

Allow + gerund: b.

• Allow + gerund: smoking Her parents don't allow
• in the house.
  

2. Her parents don't allow her to smoke at home (= ....smoking at home) Deserve

2. + gerund is not very common, but is mainly used with passive constructions or where there is a passive meaning: Deserve = to deserve, to be worthy of something. Her parents don't allow her to smoke at home (= ....smoking at home) Design

• +gerund is found infrequently, mainly with the passive (passive) voice or in the passive sense: Your proposals deserve being
• considered in detail.
  
• Your proposals deserve detailed consideration These ideas deserve discussion.
• (= to be discussed).

These ideas deserve discussion (=to be discussed) 3. The verbs hate, love, like, prefer are usually followed by a gerund when the meaning is general, and by a to-infinitive and by a when they refer to a particular time or situation. You must always use the with the expressions

"would love to", "would hate to", etc. 3. After verbs hate (=hate), love(=love), like(=I like) , prefer(=prefer) put a gerund if these verbs have general meaning . If they relate to a specific time and place , then after them they put to-infinitive.After expressions"would love to" (= I would really like...),"would hate to"(= would not like to at all...) always use

only infinitive

• Compare: Compare: I hate to tell
• you, but Uncle Jim is coming this weekend.
  
• Compare: Compare: I really hate to tell you this, but Uncle Jim is coming to visit us this weekend. looking
• after elderly relatives!
  
• I really don't like caring for elderly relatives. I love.
• dancing
  
• I love to dance I would love to dance
• with you.
  

American writer, author of numerous "books of inspiration", G. Jackson Brown, Jr. said: "Never make fun of someone who speaks broken English. It means they know another language." (Never laugh at a person who speaks poor English. After all, this means that he knows another language.) Agree, a good excuse for “clumsy” English :)

But not for us, friends, because we strive for competent speech! And therefore, we invite you to get acquainted with some of the nuances of using gerunds and infinitives, which will help avoid misunderstandings in communication.

As you know, there are verbs that require an infinitive after themselves (see Infinitive in English), and some verbs prefer a gerund (see Gerund in English). Sometimes both options are possible, but the meaning of the sentence changes, for example:

Behind the verbs begin, start, continue, intend(mean), bother(to worry) can be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund without changing the meaning:

It started raining. - It started to rain.
Don"t bother locking the door. - Don"t bother to lock the door.

Verbs like, love, hate are used with both the infinitive and the gerund when talking about a regular action:

Do you like to get up early? - Do you like getting up early?
BUT! I like living in Paris. (If we are talking about an existing situation)

We hope our article will help you improve your English!
Don't forget reading it and remember to use these rules!

Foreign Language Studio Double You provides English courses for beginners in groups and individually with a tutor. Sign up, you won't regret it! You should not fall into the category of people described by Jackson Browne).

Many English language learners use the term " gerund"causes sacred horror (it is even more terrible than "!), because there is no such concept in the Russian language. In this post we will not seriously delve into all the intricacies of English grammar. Our task is to get acquainted with this phenomenon and find out what kind of animal this is - the gerund (the gerund) and how we can eat it correctly, or rather use it in speech.

What is a gerund?

There are active and passive, simple and perfect gerunds. We will limit ourselves to the simple active, since this form is most often used in speech.

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A simple gerund is nothing more than form verb+ing , which is something between a verb and a noun. For example, the English phrase I like swimming can be translated in two ways: I like to swim And I like swimming.

• She was thinking of buying a new house. She was thinking about buying a new house/about buying a new house.
• I hate getting up early, but I have to. – I hate getting up early / getting up early, but I have to
• The place is worth visiting. – This place is worth visiting / is worth visiting.

What do you need to know about gerunds?

• He gave up smoking a few years ago. – He quit smoking several years ago.
• Though he was tired, he kept on walking. - Although he was tired, he continued to walk
• Don't be nervous! Stop biting your nails. - Do not worry! Stop biting your nails!
• Do you like cooking — Oh, I hate cooking! – Do you like to cook? - Oh, I hate cooking!
• I don't remember locking the door. I think I'll go back and check it. “I don’t remember if I closed the door.” I think I need to go and check.

• My friend succeeded in translating this difficult text. – My friend succeeded in translating the text.
• I am looking forward to going to holiday - I’m waiting - I can’t wait to go on vacation.
• He has always dreamed of visiting Europe. – He always dreamed of visiting Europe.
• The cold weather prevented the girls from going for long walks. – The cold weather prevented the girls from taking long walks.
• He’ll never agree to them going on that dangerous voyage. “He will never agree for them to go on this dangerous trip.”
• Her mother didn’t approve of her drinking so much coffee. Her mother doesn't approve of her drinking so much coffee.
• I don’t feel like seeing him. – I don’t want to see him.
• All the happiness of my life depends on your loving me. - The happiness of my whole life depends on your love for me.
• I insist on telling him the truth! “I insist on telling him the truth.”
• I stretched my hand to prevent her from falling. “I held out my hand to stop her from falling.