How to Understand Gerunds and Infinitives

How to Understand Gerunds and Infinitives

Imagine navigating the complex currents of the English language. Sometimes, words masquerade, shifting their roles depending on the context. Among the most frequent shapeshifters are verbs – ordinary action words – that transform into something else entirely. These transformations give us gerunds and infinitives, two grammatical phenomena that frequently confound even advanced English learners. This comprehensive guide will demystify these linguistic puzzles, providing clear, actionable insights and concrete examples to ensure you not only understand them but wield them with confidence and precision.

The Foundation: Verbs as Building Blocks

Before we dive into the intricacies of gerunds and infinitives, it’s crucial to firmly grasp their origin: verbs. A verb is a word that describes an action, state, or occurrence. Examples include run, think, be, exist. These are the raw materials. But sometimes, we don’t want a verb to act as a verb. We want it to function as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. This is where gerunds and infinitives enter the picture. They are forms of verbs that cease to act as the main verb of a sentence and instead take on different grammatical roles.

Demystifying Gerunds: Verbs as Nouns

A gerund is a form of a verb that ends in “-ing” and functions as a noun. While it looks identical to a present participle (which often acts as an adjective or part of a continuous verb tense), its function dictates its identity. Think of it as a verb that has donned a noun disguise.

Identifying Gerunds: The “Noun Test”

The simplest way to confirm if an “-ing” word is a gerund is to ask: Can it be replaced by a noun or pronoun without changing the fundamental meaning of the sentence? If the answer is yes, it’s a gerund.

• Example 1 (Subject): Swimming is great exercise. (Can be replaced with “It is great exercise.” or “The activity is great exercise.”)
• Example 2 (Direct Object): I enjoy reading novels. (Can be replaced with “I enjoy that.” or “I enjoy the activity.”)
• Example 3 (Object of Preposition): She is good at painting. (Can be replaced with “She is good at it.”)
• Example 4 (Subject Complement): My favorite hobby is gardening. (Identifies or renames the subject “hobby.”)

Common Functions of Gerunds

Gerunds can occupy several positions within a sentence, fulfilling the same roles as any other noun:

1. As the Subject of a Sentence: The gerund performs the action of the main verb.
   • Learning new languages opens up new worlds.
   • Eating healthy improves overall well-being.
2. As the Direct Object of a Verb: The gerund receives the action of the main verb. Many verbs are followed directly by a gerund. It’s crucial to recognize these patterns.
   • Verbs commonly followed by gerunds: admit, avoid, consider, deny, discuss, enjoy, finish, imagine, keep, mind, miss, postpone, practice, recommend, resist, suggest, tolerate, understand.
   • He avoided answering my question.
   • They finished building the house last week.
   • Do you mind opening the window?
3. As the Object of a Preposition: A gerund always follows a preposition. This is a very common construction.
   • Prepositions often followed by gerunds: about, after, at, before, by, for, in, on, instead of, with, without.
   • She dreams about traveling the world.
   • Thank you for coming.
   • He left without saying goodbye.
4. As a Subject Complement (Predicate Nominative): A gerund can follow a linking verb (like is, seems, becomes) and rename or describe the subject.
   • His greatest fear is failing the exam.
   • Her passion became teaching children.
5. In Compound Nouns: Sometimes, an “-ing” word is part of a compound noun, where it functions as a single unit with another noun. While technically a noun, it’s often derived from a verb.
   • Parking lot (A lot for parking)
   • Washing machine (A machine for washing)

Gerunds with Possessive Forms

When a gerund is the subject or object, and it refers to an action performed by someone or something, that someone or something can be put into the possessive form. This is particularly common in formal English.

• I appreciate your helping me. (Not “I appreciate you helping me” in formal contexts.)
• The teacher was annoyed by his constant talking.
• We celebrated their graduating from college.

Common Pitfalls with Gerunds

• Confusing Gerunds with Present Participles: Remember, a present participle acts as an adjective (e.g., “The running water was cold”) or part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., “He is running fast”). A gerund always functions as a noun.
  • Running is my favorite hobby. (Gerund – noun)
  • The running man tripped. (Present participle – adjective modifying “man”)
  • He is running a marathon. (Present participle – part of the verb “is running”)
• Incorrect Verb Following a Gerund: Since a gerund acts as a singular noun, the main verb of the sentence must agree with it in number.
  • Reading good books improves vocabulary. (Not “Reading good books improve…”)

Unpacking Infinitives: Verbs with Versatile Roles

An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by “to” (e.g., to run, to think, to be). It’s another non-finite verb form, meaning it doesn’t function as the main verb of the sentence and doesn’t change based on the subject’s person or number. Infinitives are incredibly versatile, acting as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.

Identifying Infinitives: The “To” Test and Context

An infinitive is easily recognized by the presence of “to” before the base verb. However, context is crucial to determine its grammatical role.

• Example 1 (Noun): To learn a new skill takes patience. (Can be replaced by “Learning a new skill takes patience.”)
• Example 2 (Adjective): I have a lot of work to do. (Describes “work,” functions like an adjective.)
• Example 3 (Adverb): He came here to study. (Explains why he came, functions like an adverb.)

Common Functions of Infinitives

Infinitives wear many hats within a sentence:

1. As the Subject of a Sentence: While less common than gerunds as subjects, infinitives can certainly occupy this role.
   • To err is human.
   • To forgive is divine.
2. As the Direct Object of a Verb: Many verbs are followed directly by an infinitive. Like gerunds, recognizing these patterns is key.
   • Verbs commonly followed by infinitives: agree, aim, appear, arrange, ask, attempt, choose, decide, demand, expect, hope, intend, learn, manage, need, plan, promise, refuse, seem, threaten, want, wish.
   • She decided to go to bed early.
   • He wants to buy a new car.
   • They hope to finish the project soon.
3. As an Object Complement (after a direct object): An infinitive can sometimes follow a direct object of certain verbs to provide more information about that object.
   • Verbs often followed by (object + infinitive): advise, allow, ask, encourage, force, invite, order, persuade, remind, tell, warn.
   • I advised him to be careful. (Here, “to be careful” describes what “him” should do.)
   • She asked them to wait.
   • The teacher encouraged the students to participate.
4. As a Subject Complement (Predicate Nominative): An infinitive can follow a linking verb to rename or describe the subject.
   • His goal is to win the championship.
   • Her only option was to surrender.
5. As an Adjective: An infinitive can modify a noun or pronoun, telling us more about it. It answers the question “which one?” or “what kind?”.
   • I have an important meeting to attend. (What kind of meeting? A meeting to attend.)
   • He bought a book to read on the trip.
   • There is nothing to do here.
6. As an Adverb: An infinitive can modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, explaining why, how, when, or to what extent. This is one of the most common uses of infinitives.
   • Modifying a verb (purpose): He came to the library to study. (Why did he come?)
   • Modifying an adjective: She was happy to see him. (Why was she happy?)
   • Modifying a noun (expressing judgment/opinion): It’s a difficult problem to solve. (Describes the nature of the problem.)

Infinitives Without “To” (Bare Infinitives)

While most infinitives are preceded by “to,” there are specific instances where “to” is omitted. These are called “bare infinitives.”

1. After Certain Modal Verbs: Modal verbs (e.g., can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would) are always followed by a bare infinitive.
   • You must study harder.
   • I can play the guitar.
   • She will call you later.
2. After Verbs of Perception (Sense Verbs): When followed by a direct object, verbs like see, hear, feel, watch, observe, notice can take a bare infinitive to describe an action that was completed.
   • I saw him leave the building.
   • She heard the birds sing.
   • We watched them play soccer.
   • (Note: If the action is ongoing, a present participle is used: “I saw him leaving the building.”)
3. After “Make,” “Let,” and “Help”:
   • Make: It made me laugh. (Causative verb)
   • Let: Let me help you. (Permission)
   • Help: He helped me solve the problem. (Assistance) (Note: “Help” can also be followed by “to”: “He helped me to solve the problem,” both are correct.)

Common Pitfalls with Infinitives

• Split Infinitives: This refers to placing a word (usually an adverb) between “to” and the base verb (e.g., “to boldly go”). While grammarians historically frowned upon this, modern English usage guides often permit it when it improves clarity or flow. Avoid it if it creates awkwardness, but don’t obsess over it.
  • Acceptable: He wanted to quickly finish the task.
  • Less awkward alternative: He wanted to finish the task quickly.
• Using Infinitives Instead of Gerunds (and vice-versa) where only one is correct: This is the core challenge addressed in the next section.
• Redundant “For”: Do not use “for” before an infinitive to express purpose.
  • Incorrect: He went to the store for to buy milk.
  • Correct: He went to the store to buy milk.

The Great Divide: Gerunds vs. Infinitives – When to Use Which

This is where the rubber meets the road. Many verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but with a crucial difference in meaning. Other verbs only take a gerund, and still others only take an infinitive. Mastering these distinctions is paramount for accurate and natural English.

Verbs Followed ONLY by a Gerund

These verbs express a completed action, a past habit, or a strong feeling about an activity. Think of the gerund as representing the activity itself.
* Examples: adore, admit, avoid, celebrate, consider, deny, detest, dislike, endure, enjoy, escape, finish, imagine, keep (on), loathe, miss, postpone, practice, quit, recall, recommend, resent, resist, risk, suggest, tolerate, understand.

• I enjoy reading. (Not “I enjoy to read.”)
• She suggested going to the park.
• He avoided answering my questions.
• They finished eating dinner.

Verbs Followed ONLY by an Infinitive

These verbs often express aspirations, intentions, decisions, or future actions. Think of the infinitive as representing the potential or goal of the action.
* Examples: agree, aim, appear, arrange, ask, attempt, beg, choose, claim, decide, demand, deserve, expect, fail, hope, learn, manage, need, offer, plan, prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, seem, struggle, tend, threaten, want, wish.

• She decided to study abroad. (Not “She decided studying abroad.”)
• He wants to buy a new car.
• They hope to pass the exam.
• We managed to finish on time.

Verbs Followed by EITHER a Gerund or an Infinitive with NO Change in Meaning

These verbs often express likes, dislikes, preferences, or beginnings/endings. The choice between gerund and infinitive generally comes down to stylistic preference, with the gerund often sounding slightly more natural or common in general conversation.
* Examples: begin, continue, hate, like, love, prefer, start.

• I like swimming / I like to swim.
• It started raining / It started to rain.
• She prefers reading / She prefers to read.
• We continued working / We continued to work.

Verbs Followed by EITHER a Gerund or an Infinitive with a SIGNIFICANT Change in Meaning

This is the trickiest category and requires careful attention. The choice dramatically alters the meaning of the sentence.

1. Remember:
   • Remember + Infinitive: To recall what you need to do or have promised to do (a future action or obligation).
     • I remembered to lock the door. (I consciously thought about the lock and did it.)
   • Remember + Gerund: To recall a past event or experience.
     • I remember locking the door. (I have a memory of the specific action of locking.)
2. Forget:
   • Forget + Infinitive: To fail to do something you intended to do (often due to carelessness).
     • I forgot to call him. (I intended to call, but didn’t.)
   • Forget + Gerund: To no longer have a memory of a past event or experience.
     • I’ll never forget seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time.
3. Stop:
   • Stop + Infinitive (to do something): To cease an activity in order to do something else. The infinitive expresses the purpose for stopping.
     • He stopped to tie his shoelace. (He was doing something else, paused it, and tied his shoelace.)
   • Stop + Gerund (doing something): To cease an activity completely. The gerund is the activity that is no longer happening.
     • He stopped smoking last year. (He no longer engages in the act of smoking.)
4. Try:
   • Try + Infinitive: To make an effort to do something; to attempt something difficult.
     • I will try to learn French. (I will make an effort.)
   • Try + Gerund: To experiment with something as a possible solution or method; to see if something works.
     • When your computer freezes, try restarting it. (Test restarting as a solution.)
5. Regret:
   • Regret + Infinitive: To be sorry to have to tell someone bad news or give an unwelcome message (often in formal contexts).
     • We regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful.
   • Regret + Gerund: To feel sorry or sad about something that happened in the past.
     • I regret telling her my secret.
6. Need:
   • Need + Infinitive: To require something (active voice).
     • I need to buy groceries.
   • Need + Gerund: To require repair or improvement (passive meaning, often used for things).
     • The car needs washing. (The car needs to be washed.)
7. Go on:
   • Go on + Infinitive: To move to the next stage or perform the next action in a sequence.
     • After discussing the budget, we went on to plan the marketing strategy.
   • Go on + Gerund: To continue doing something without interruption.
     • He went on talking for an hour.

Phrasal Verbs and Prepositional Phrases

A crucial point for gerunds is their mandatory use after phrasal verbs that end in a preposition and after any prepositional phrase. If you encounter a verb followed by a proposition (e.g., look forward to, accustomed to, object to, give up, put off), the next verb must be in gerund form.

• I look forward to hearing from you. (Not “to hear”)
• She is accustomed to working long hours.
• He gave up smoking.
• They put off making a decision.

Adjectives and Adverbs Followed by Infinitives

Many adjectives and adverbs are naturally followed by infinitives to further explain the reason or result.

• Adjectives: Easy, difficult, hard, happy, sad, pleased, disappointed, eager, reluctant, ready, likely, afraid.
  • It’s difficult to understand.
  • She was happy to help.
  • He’s eager to start the new project.
• Adverbs: Too, enough, so.
  • It’s too cold to go outside.
  • He’s strong enough to lift that.

Practical Strategies for Mastery

Understanding the rules is one thing; applying them consistently is another. Here are actionable strategies to solidify your grasp on gerunds and infinitives:

1. Read Extensively: Expose yourself to vast amounts of authentic English. Pay conscious attention to how native speakers use gerunds and infinitives in books, articles, and reputable online sources. Your brain will implicitly start to recognize patterns.

2. Maintain a “Verb List” Journal:

   • Create sections: “Verbs followed only by Gerunds,” “Verbs followed only by Infinitives,” and “Verbs with Meaning Changes.”
   • As you encounter new verbs, add them to your list with a clear example sentence. This active learning reinforces memory.
3. Practice Targeted Exercises: Grammar workbooks or online quizzes specifically designed for gerunds and infinitives are invaluable. Focus on exercises that require you to choose between the two forms.

4. Conscious Self-Correction: When you speak or write, pause and consider your choice of gerund or infinitive. If unsure, quickly recall the rule or consult your verb list. Over time, this conscious effort will become automatic.

5. Utilize Sentence Combining: Take simple sentences and try to combine them using gerunds or infinitives to create more sophisticated structures.

   • Simple: She studies. She wants to pass the exam.
   • Combined (infinitive of purpose): She studies to pass the exam.
   • Simple: He runs. It is his passion.
   • Combined (gerund as subject complement): His passion is running.
6. Focus on Meaning-Changing Verbs: Dedicate extra effort to the “remember, forget, stop, try, regret, need, go on” category. Create unique example sentences for each variation to internalize the subtle shifts in meaning.

Conclusion: Wielding Precision in Expression

Gerunds and infinitives are not mere grammatical curiosities; they are powerful tools that add nuance, precision, and sophistication to your English. They allow you to compress ideas, express purpose, describe actions, and convey subtle distinctions that would otherwise require cumbersome phrasing.

By diligently applying the principles outlined in this guide – recognizing their form, understanding their diverse roles (as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs), and meticulously learning which verbs demand which form – you elevate your command of English from functional to proficient. Embrace the journey of mastery, for with each correctly deployed gerund and every precisely placed infinitive, you refine your ability to communicate with clarity, impact, and authenticity. This deep understanding won’t just improve your grammar scores; it will fundamentally transform your ability to express complex ideas and navigate the subtleties of the English language with unparalleled confidence.