Grammar Gerund and Infinitive
Infinitive
When we talk about Infinitive we talk about the basic form of a verb that is often used with to ( to + verb ). So, we use the Infinitive after the following verbs:
ask – agree –expect– neglect – intend – learn – manage –need – promise – hope) + to + verb = infinitive
Example
The father asked his son ( bring ) a cup of water
The father asked his son to bring him a cup of water
Other verbs used with an Infinitive such as
Appear - arrange - care - choose - beg - come - claim - deserve - demand - get - elect - fail - offer - pay - mean - prepare - prove - refuse - resolve - request - seem - seek - threaten - swear - want - want - would like - wish.
Gerund
When we talk about Gerund, we talk about a noun formed from a verb that ends with ing.
(Avoid –enjoy – finish – imagine – suggest-
Admit – Forgive – dislike
– consider – advice)+ verb+ing = Gerund
Example
Adam enjoys ( play ) soccer
Adam enjoys playing soccer
Verbs used with a gerund such as
Advise - allow - be worth - appreciate -celebrate - delay - defend - confess - evade - escape - dispute - dread -discontinue - fear - fancy - miss - postpone - picture - mention - recall - recollect - permit - report - resist - recommend - prevent - practice – risk - tolerate - understand - support.
Gerund or Infinitive
In this case, we are in front of two choices to put the verb in the correct form either with Gerund ( verb+ing ) or Infinitive ( to+verb).
(continue – love – Begin – try –like
Example
- I have been trying ( learn ) the French language.
I have been trying to learn/learning the French language
For your knowledge
The gerund form is not used only after the verbs but we can find it after some expressions such as :
gerund after adjective + preposition *
Example
- Jamal is angry about ( be ) homeless.
Jamal is angry about being homeless
gerund after noun + preposition *
Example
- Mouna has the problem of ( suim) being very slow.
Mouna has the problem of swimming very slowly.
* Gernud after verb + preposition
Example
- Sarah apologizes for ( be ) late.
Sarah apologizes for being late.
Exercises
- I have talked about ( to travel/traveling/ both ) towards Tanger City next holiday.
- my father didn't let me (go/going / both) with you.
- I need ( to cut/cutting/ both) my hair.
- (would you (open / opening/ both ) windows please?
- ( you would better stop ( to smoke/ smoking/ both) cigarettes.
- my family is planning ( to pass/ passing / both ) vacation in Martil Beach.
- some kids spend more and more time ( to watch/ watching/ both ) télévision.
- she didn't accept( to help/helping/both) her mother at home.
- I remember my daughter (to do/doing/both) her homework.
- my brother looked (to be /being/both) in good shape and mood.
- my best friend always offers(to prepare/preparing/both)
for us couscous every Friday.
- I am looking forward ( to hear/ hearing/ both ) from you soon.
- I am writing this humble letter ( to express/expressing/ both ) my best respects.
- I have been enjoying ( to work/ working/ both) with serious people.
- I always remind ( to be/ being/ both) in this garden when I was a child.
- my brother always decides ( to buy/ buying/ both ) in a new car.
- David has been dreaming ( to build/ building/ both ) a nice big house on the beach.
- my daughter choose ( to be / being / both ) speechless with me during the traveling.
- I recalled the hotel ( to book / booking/ both ) a single room for two days.