GERUND or INFINITIVE

GERUND

I like GOING to the cinema.I stopped SMOKING 15 years ago.

INFINITIVE

I’d like TO GO to the cinema.She stopped TO HAVE a deep breath

of fresh air.

GERUND – is used as/after

a subject

an object

after verbs of perception

after verbs expressing LIKES and DISLIKES

prepositions (by, at, in, after etc.)

in certain phrases (look forward to, be fond of, etc.)

SUBJECT or OBJECT

in a sentence:Sunbathing can be dangerous.

Do you really enjoy making the teacher hit the roof?

After verbs of PERCEPTION

SEE, HEAR, LISTEN TO, WATCH, SMELLI saw him FEELING really down.

We can hear him PLAYING the piano every evening.

LIKES and DISLIKES, Don’t you like DANCING?

Michael hates BEING told what to do.

I N F I N I T I V E is used:

To express PURPOSE:

(answers to “WHY?”)

She came to deliver the goods.

I shouted to draw his attention.

After ADJECTIVES:

It is difficult TO BE the best student in class.

Don’t you think he is so hard TO PLEASE?

I was reluctant TO TALK to her.

After COGNITIVE verbs:

seem, agree, choose, expect, manage, decide, arrange, remember, plan, predict, forget…e.g.They agreed to meet in the afternoon

Don’t expect me TO FORGIVE you.

Both GERUND or INFINITIVE can be used after these verbs:

START, STOP, FINISH

Please, stop arguing!

They stopped in the middle of the road to argue again.

REMEBER, FORGET

He remebered her swimming naked at night.

She forgot to take the key again.

EXERCIES:

1. _______ (learn) grammar rules is too difficult for me.

2. Is there any point in ________ (try) to persuade you?

3. Don’t even think of _______ (leave) before midnight!

4. Oh, God! I forgot ______ (turn off) the computer last night.

More practice

The robbers forced the manager _____(open) the safe.I’m really tired of _______(explain) the same grammar rules all over again.He’s working too hard. He’s too tired ______(do) anything after work.Donna stopped_______(drink) and now she completely recovered.We stopped_______(drink) a glass of water from the well in the woods.