A2 Grammar

Verb + ing/infinitive: like/

Verb + ing/infinitive: like/

Gerunds and Infinitives

Use:

1) A gerund is a verb in its –ing form, used as a noun.

For example: eating, going, seeing

Gerunds are used:

a) As the subject of a sentence.

Smoking is bad for you.

b) After some verbs, such as: like, hate, enjoy, quit, suggest, dislike, deny

I like cooking. I enjoy fishing.

A good learner’s dictionary will tell you whether a verb is followed by a gerund or not.

c) After prepositions.

I’m interested in buying a computer. I’m scared of walking alone in the dark.

2) The infinitive form of the verb is the original verb. It can be with or without ‘to’.

For example: (to) eat, (to) go, (to) see.

The infinitive form is used:

a) After some verbs, such as; agree, arrange, ask, promise, decide, afford

I agreed to do the work. I arranged to see the doctor, They decided to get married.

A good learner’s dictionary will tell you whether a verb is followed by an infinitive or not.

b) To show the reason why you did something.

Tony went to the post office to pay a bill.

c) After adjectives.

I was surprised to see Erica. I’m pleased to meet you.

3 a) Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or infinitive with NO CHANGE in meaning:

For example: start, begin, hate, like, prefer, continue

She started to cry = She started crying.

I hate watching horror films = I hate to watch horror films.

b) Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or a infinitive, but there is a change in meaning.

For example: try, remember, stop

I tried to get into the house. (Getting into the house is your goal or objective).

I tried climbing through the window. (Climbing through the window is one thing you tried in order to obtain your final objective.)

I stopped cleaning the windows. (I was cleaning the windows and then I stopped).

I stopped to clean the windows. (I was driving, and I stopped driving in order to clean the windows).

I remembered to lock the door. (I remembered, and after that I locked the door).

I remember locking the door. (I remember (now) that I locked the door (in the past)).