GERUND (-ing) or INFINITIVE (to) - When & How to Use them! (+ Free PDF & Quiz)

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Understanding Gerunds and Infinitives in English Grammar

1. Introduction to Gerunds and Infinitives:

   • Gerunds are verb forms ending in -ing that act as nouns.
   • Infinitives are the base form of a verb preceded by "to" and also function as nouns.

2. Identifying Gerunds:

   • Gerunds act as subjects or objects in a sentence.
   • Example: "Walking always puts me in a good mood." (Walking is the gerund acting as the subject).

3. Distinguishing Gerunds from Present Participles:

   • Not all verbs ending in -ing are gerunds; some are present participles used in progressive tenses.
   • Example: "She is talking." (Talking is a present participle, not a gerund).

4. Using Infinitives:

   • Infinitives are the simplest form of a verb with "to" placed before the base verb.
   • Example: "She expected to walk right in."

5. Gerunds as Subjects:

   • Gerunds can be used as the subject of a sentence, similar to nouns.
   • Example: "Playing the guitar was always his favorite hobby."

6. Infinitives as Subjects:

   • Infinitives as subjects sound formal and are used in instructions or definitions.
   • Example: "To cook properly, place the fish skin side down."

7. Verbs Followed by Gerunds or Infinitives:

   • Some verbs can be followed by either gerunds or infinitives.
   • Examples: "She hates sleeping late." / "She hates to sleep late."

8. Verbs Requiring Gerunds:

   • Verbs like consider, deny, enjoy, imagine, and suggest are followed by gerunds.
   • Example: "He considered moving to Spain last year."

9. Using Gerunds after Prepositions:

   • Gerunds can be used as objects of prepositions.
   • Example: "Before completing university, he already had many job offers."

10. Infinitives as Direct Objects:

    • Infinitives can act as direct objects after certain verbs.
    • Example: "They agreed to never speak to each other again."

11. Infinitives after Adjectives:

    • Infinitives can follow adjectives in sentences.
    • Example: "He was happy to include her in the new project at work."

12. Guidelines for Choosing Gerunds or Infinitives:

    • Use infinitives if the first action leads to a second action.
    • Use gerunds if both actions are happening simultaneously.

13. Practice and Further Learning:

    • Practice using gerunds and infinitives in sentences to reinforce understanding.
    • Access the free PDF and exercise pack linked in the video description for more examples and exercises.

By following these steps and practicing with examples, you can enhance your understanding of when and how to use gerunds and infinitives in English grammar.