Gerunds and Infinitives
Gerunds and Infinitives
Gerunds and Infinitives
Gerunds and infinitives are sometimes referred to as verb complements. They may
function as subjects or objects in a sentence.
A gerund is a verb in its ing (present participle) form that functions as a noun that
names an activity rather than a person or thing. Any action verb can be made into a
gerund.
Add ing to most verbs. Ex. play > playing, cry > crying, bark > barking
For verbs that end in e, remove the e and add ing. Ex: slide > sliding, ride >
riding
For verbs that end in ie, change the ie to y and add ing. Ex: die > dying, tie >
tying
For a verb whose last syllable is written with a consonant-vowel-consonant
and is stressed, double the last letter before adding ing. Ex: beg > begging, begin
> beginning. However: enter > entering (last syllable is not stressed)
Gerund Examples
Note: The same spelling rules that apply to the progressive tenses also apply to
gerunds.
1. He remembered sending the fax. (He remembered the act of send the fax)
2. He remembered to send the fax. (He remembered the fax and sent it.)
Some verbs are directly followed by a noun or pronoun and then by an infinitive:
Choose the correct gerund or infinitive from the parenthesis at the end of the sentence.
Answers:
begin like
continue love
hate prefer
intend start
forget
remember
stop
Common verbs that are directly followed by a noun or pronoun and then by an
infinitive
advise invite
allow order
ask pay
cause permit
challenge program
command remind
convince teach
expect tell
forbid urge
force want
hire warn
instruct