English Grammar & Use - B1+ Collection
What are Gerunds & Infinitives?
B1 BASE
START
Gerunds & Infinitives
FOUNDATION MODULE
THE BASICS YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED TO KNOW
Learning Outcome:
STUDY TIME: 30 MINUTES CONSOLIDATION QUIZ: 30 QUESTIONS
Fluency when using Verb + Verb combinations & improved understanding of other reasons for using ING or TO forms
Returning user?JUMP TO MODULE MENU
Content Menu
The ING Form
Verbs Followed by ING
B1 BASE
PREPOSITIONS + ING
ING FORM as SUBJECT
CONJUNCTIONS + ING
The INFINITIVE Form
Verbs Followed by TO
ADJECTIVES + TO
WH WORDS + TO
THE INFINITIVE OFPURPOSE
The BARE INFINITIVE Form (Infinitive without 'TO')
When to use theBARE INFINITIVE
Review Gerunds & Infinitives Terminology
Verbs + Gerund
The following verbs can be followed by nouns and by verb forms. When followed by a verb form, it is a gerund (ING form);
love* - adore - like* - enjoy* - hate* - detest* - can't stand* - can't bear* - (don't) mind* accuse s/b of - admit - anticipate* - avoid* - be worth* - consider - delay* - deny - discover* - discontinue - dispute* - dread* - fancy* feel like - find* - finish - foresee* - imagine* - justify* - keep - mention* - miss* - overhear* - postpone* - practice - prevent* - propose recommend - recall* - resent* - resume - risk* - spend time - suggest - think - tolerate* - understand* - waste time
s/b = somebody
Verb Patterns & examples
CLICK the SHAPES below to see
(that + subject + verb phrase)
- I suggest (that) you buy a new car.
- I anticipate / foresee (that) you will have some problems.
- We discovered (that) he was hiding in an abandoned building.
4. Many of the verbs can be followed by a that clause
1. Most of the verbs can be followed by a noun/pronoun:
- I love really good food.
- I enjoy football.
- I suggest a new car.
- I tolerate the traffic.
- I'm practicing my French.
- I foresee problems ahead.
The focus of the phrase is on the object.
5. Negative gerund: Not + ING
- I dread not passing my exams
- I hate not being on time (= I hate being late).
- I suggest not repairing your car, but buying a new one.
2. When followed by a gerund, the focus is on the action expressed by the gerund:
- I love cooking really tasty meals.
- I enjoy watching football, not playing it.
- I suggest buying a new car.
- I can't tolerate driving in traffic.
- I'm practicing speaking French.
- I foresee having problems ahead.
3. Many of the verbs (*) can be followed by a pronoun then a gerund:
- I hate you being late.
- I recall you being there.
- I foresee you having some problems.
- We discovered him hiding in an abandoned building.
- We found him stealing your car.
- It's not worth you doing that. It won't fix your problem.
Verb + ING continues
Download the verb list >
Learning the verbs will require regular practice & repetition.
3. Sentence Transformation.
1. Listen to some examples and repeat them.
Click here to reveal/hide the phrases.
Use the verbs in brackets to create a sentence which means the same as these:
1. I enjoy reading in bed. 2. Have you finished tidying your room? 3. I want to go on working until I'm 60. 4. I hate being late when I'm meeting someone. 5. I like having breakfast in a cafe. 6. I love waking up on a sunny morning. 7. I don't mind doing the ironing. It's quite relaxing. 8. She spends hours talking on the phone. 9. It started raining at 5.30 in the morning. 10. Please stop making so much noise. I can't think. 11. I don't feel like cooking today. Let's go out for lunch.
3.2. In my job I have to meet a lot of people. (involve)
3.4. We expect to double our turnover this year. (anticipate)
3.3. Why don't you get in touch with the supplier? (suggest)
3.1. There's a danger of losing business to our competitors.(risk)
Click here to reveal suggested answers
3.1 We risk losing business to our competitors.3.2 My job involves meeting a lot of people.3.3 I suggest contacting the supplier.3.4 We anticipate doubling our turnover this year.
4. Gerund or Infinitive Vortex Gameshort list
Click on the icon to play.The game will open in a new window/tab.
How quickly can you sort the verbs into the correct Vortex? The top time is 110 seconds - can you beat that? If the verb is usually followed by a gerund, drag it to the "ING" vortex if the verb is usually followed by an infinitive, drag it to the "TO" vortex
2. Select some verbs you are not so familiar with using.
- Write example sentences which are meaningful for you.
- Repeat the sentences everyday for a week.
- Select a new set of verbs and repeat steps 1 & 2.
- I understand spending €3 on a pandoro, but I won't tolerate spending €9!
Prepositions + Gerund
1. Use a gerund after prepositions & phrasal verbs to describe actions:
- I often put off doing the ironing because I can't stand doing it.
- She insisted on paying for lunch.
- We can't keep on living like this, we must make some changes.
- I'm fed up with working 10 hours a day.
- I can't decide between going to Greece or staying in Italy this summer.
- I'm pretty good at skiing.
- I'm very keen on surfing.
- I'm thinking about resigning from my job to set up my own business.
- I was lucky. I got my job by being in the right place at the right time.
- He sometimes worries about losing his job.
- I'm interested in attending one of your courses. Can you give me some more information?
- He was charged with driving dangerously.
- I'm bored of watching this film. Let's change channel.
2. To is a preposition in the expressions below:
- I'm looking forward to going on holiday.
- I'm used to living in the city now, so I don't miss living in the country.
- I got used to working the night shift quite quickly.
- I'm open to working this weekend if you need me.
- After saying hello to me, he returned to reading his book.
- I'll see to booking the venue if you see to selecting the caterers.
- I object to having to work late so often.
- He seems to be addicted to working out at the gym.
TO + ING
3. If you don't need to describe an action, prepositions and phrasal verbs are followed by nouns which name things or describe situations. Compare:
Things & Situations Actions a) She insisted on lunch b) She insisted on paying for lunch a) I'm good at mathematics b) I'm good at skiing a) I'm used to life in Rome now. b) I'm used to living in Rome now.
Before - After - Without - While - Despite/in spite of + GERUND
NB: With before, after & while, you can use a subject & verb in the correct tense instead of a gerund After he got up, he had a shower. 1 While I was driving to work, I called my wife. 2 After he had been working all day, he went home. 3 but using a gerund is simpler and shorter.
1.1
After getting up, he had a shower. 1 While driving to work, I phoned my wife. 2 After working all day, he went home. 3
She switched off her PC before leaving the office.
1.
They left the house without turning off the lights.
Despite arriving a little late, I didn't miss seeing the opening credits of the film.
In spite of knowing a lot about the subject, I found his presentation difficult to follow.
2.
He was so tired that he went to bed without having dinner.
She left without saying a word.
Never Say: Before to - After to - Without to - Despite to
GERUNDS as the SUBJECT of a SENTENCE
1. Using a gerund as a subject helps emphasise the gerund action as the central focus of the sentence.
- Living in big cities can be expensive.
- Flying from Rome to New York takes over 8 hours.
- Voting is important in a democracy.
- Travelling by train is usually cheaper than flying.
- Training to become a doctor usually takes between 5 to 8 years.
- Reviewing this guide a few times will help you remember how to use gerunds and infinitives.
- Not filing your tax declaration on time can result in fines.
2. Perfect gerunds can also be used as a subject:
This use doesn't add emphasis (see above), it substitutes a because + subject-verb phrase. e.g.
- Having been there before, I didn't need a guidebook.
(Because I had been there before...)
- Having known him for a long time, I wasn't surprised by his reaction.
(Because I have known him for a long time...)
3. We use a gerund as subject also in these structures:
- My idea of a good holiday is treking in the Alps.
- Treking in the Alps is my idea of a good holiday.
- What I like is sunbathing on a tropical beach.
- Qu) What's your earliest memory? Ans) Going to school when I was 5.
Verbs + Infinitive
These verbs can be followed by nouns, prepositions etc, but when followed by another verb, the verb is an infinitive form.
agree - advise - afford - allow* - appear - arrange - ask* - attempt - beg* - be keen - (not) care - choose* - claim - dare* - decide - demand - deserve - defy** - encourage - expect* - fail - force** - hope - instruct - inspire** - intend* - learn - manage - offer - oblige** pay* - plan pretend - prepare - persuade - promise - prove - refuse - remind** - seem - strive - struggle - swear - teach** - tend - threaten train - urge* - use** - used to - vow - wait - want* - warn - would hate* - would like* - would prefer* - yearn
Verb Patterns & examples
CLICK the SHAPES below to see
4. These verbs can be followed by a that clause:
- We have decided (that) you should go to the meeting.
- It seems (that) you have been given a fine.
- We warned him (that) he would be sanctioned if he was late again.
- We expected (that) they would agree to our contract terms.
decide - plan - demand - expect - hope - wish - promise - agree learn - pretend - seem - advise - teach - tell - warn - vow
(that + subject + verb phrase)
1. Some of the verbs above can be followed by noun or pronoun & noun: e.g.
- I want a break.
- I chose a tasty looking sandwich for lunch.
- He offered some help.
- She learnt Japanese.
- Don't defy the law!
- He promised me the world.
2. Many of the verbs (*) above can be followed by pronoun then infinitive: e.g.
- I want you to go to the meeting.
- I begged her to help me.
- We warned him not to go.
5. The negative infinitive is: NOT TO
- We decided not to go out due to the rain.
- Jim) Did you buy the house? John) No, I decided not to.
3. Some verbs (**) are always followed by a pronoun then infinitive in active sentences: e.g.
- I reminded her to pay the bill.
- He taught me to drive.
- Manga inspired me to learn Japanese.
- They obliged me to work.
- The storm forced me to take shelter.
Verb + TO continues
Learning the verbs will require regular practice & repetition.
1. Listen to some examples and repeat them.
3. Sentence Transformation.
3.1. The subject is easy. I'm sure I'll pass the exam. (expect)
3.2. "Paul, Could you lend me €5 'till tomorrow?" (ask)
3.3. I'm going to Barbados for my holidays this year. (decide)
Use the words in brackets to make a sentence which means the same as these:
Click here to reveal/hide the phrases.
1. We've decided to go to France for our holiday. 2. Don't forget to turn off all the lights. 3. We hope to see you again soon. 4. I'm learning to drive. My test's next month. 5. I need to go to the supermarket. We don't have any milk. 6. He offered to help me with my CV. 7. They're planning to get married soon. 8. He pretended to be ill, but he wasn't really. 9. He promised to pay me back when he gets a job. 10. Remember to bring your dictionaries to class tomorrow. 11. It was very cloudy and started to rain. 12. I'm trying to find a job, but it's very hard. 13. I want to catch the 6 o'clock train. 14. I'd like to buy a new car next month..
Click here to reveal suggested sentences.
3.1 I expect to pass the exam, the subject is easy. 3.2 I asked Paul to lend me €5 'till tomorrow.3.3 I have decided to go to Barbados for my holidays this year.
4. Gerund or Infinitive Vortex Gameshort list
2. Select some verbs you are not so familiar with using.
- Write example sentences which are meaningful for you.
- Repeat the sentences everyday for a week.
- Select a new set of verbs and repeat steps 1 & 2.
- I vowed never to make mistakes with infinitives again!
How quickly can you sort the verbs into the correct Vortex? The top time is 110 seconds - can you beat that? If the verb is usually followed by a gerund, drag it to the "ING" vortex if the verb is usually followed by an infinitive, drag it to the "TO" vortex
Click on the icon to play.The game will open in a new window/tab.
WHAT - HOW - WHERE- WHO - WHEN - WHETHER plus INFINITIVE
- She showed me how to do it.
- We need to decide where to have dinner this evening.
- Do you know who to ask for help about this issue?
- He emailed me details of when to come.
- I don't know whether to take the job or not.
- Can you show me how to insert a table in Excel?
- I wonder what to do about my back pain.
- I explained how to do it last week.
NB: The WH... + Infinitive structure is common after these verbs: ask - know - decide - remember - forget - explain wonder - learn - understand
ADJECTIVES plus INFINITIVE
1. Adjectives are often followed by infinitives
2. Adjectives with too & enough plus infinitive
- It's expensive to live in big cities.
- It's not easy to find a needle in a haystack.
- It's necessary to buy a ticket before boarding the train.
- It's not hard to remember how to use infinitives.
- What's the most interesting thing to do in Rome?
- It's important for me to pass my next exam.
- It's difficult to get him to change his mind
- It's quite easy to get used to using crutches.
- She's not old enough to drive
- She's too young to drive
- I'm too tired to cook, let's order a pizza.
- It's too hot to play tennis today.
- Some cars are too small to fit a family in.
- Some cars are not big enough to fit a family in.
- Microbes are too small to see without using a microscope.
- Microbes aren't big enough to be seen without using a microscope
NB: This use helps emphasise the adjective as the central focus of the sentence.
INFINITIVES show the purpose of an action.
Use an infinitive to express WHY you performed a particular action.
Qu) Why did you stop working? Ans) I stopped working to have a coffee break.
You can simply answer the question with; to have a coffee or for a coffee. Never say for have a coffee
- I'm thinking about resigning to set up my own business.
- On my way home from the office, I stopped to get petrol.
- Because I was hungry, I stopped to eat.
- After running 6km, I stopped to have a rest for a few moments
(i.e. I stopped running to have a rest)
- Qu: Why did you buy this recycled paper? It keeps jamming the printer!
- A: To help save the environment. It was cheaper too.
- I gave up smoking to improve my health.
- He quit eating cheese to lose weight.
- I went to Florence to visit the Uffizi.
- Do you eat to live, or live to eat?
- Qu: Why did they change office location?
- A: To be closer to their clients.
You can also use in order to, but this sounds rather formal.
- NEVER say For to go or For Go.
- NEVER put for in front of a verb.
- PUT 'for' in front of a noun (e.g. for lunch/for cleaning)
Gerunds & Infinitives Summary Table of the Basic Rules
Use a BARE* INFINITIVE with
*an infinitive without to, e.g. Go
MAKE e.g. My boss made me clean his car! Double parking makes me see red! My parents made me help around the house when I was young.
Would rather e.g. I'd rather not go! I'd rather have a pizza, instead of pasta again. I'd rather finish the report today than do it tomorrow morning.
LET e.g. Let me go! Let me think about it Hold on. Don't let go!
Help e.g. Please help me carry the bags. She helped me prepare my presentation.
Had better e.g. I'd better go now, it's getting late.
You'd better not have another drink if you're going to drive home.
Daren't (dare not) e.g. I daren't tell him I scratched his car! I daren't think about it. I daren't weigh myself after Christmas.
and after Modal verbs
I will do it. He can ski well. Always tired? You should try sleeping more. You must be more relaxed now you are retired. I might go on holiday soon. It's not a sure thing, but I'm thinking about it. You shouldn't have bought that jacket. It really doesn't suit you. Your flight had a lot of turbulence? That must have been scary.
NB: the semi-modals have to & ought to use the full infinitive.
To + ING
LEARN THESE 3 EXPRESSIONS THEY ARE VERY COMMON & VERY USEFUL
1. Look forward to + ING/noun:
- Use it to end emails & in converstaion. It means you are waiting for a future event with pleasure
- I'm looking forward to going on holiday
2. Be used to + ING/noun/pronoun*:
- I'm not used to => Use it to express that something is outside your normal routine and is therefore unusual, difficult or uncomforatble for you.
- I usually only work in Rome, I'm not used to working here in Milan.
3. Get used to + ING/noun/pronoun*:
- I'm getting used to => Use it to express a new activity or situation is becoming your standard habit. It is becoming your 'new normal'
- I've been here in Milan for 2 weeks now so I'm getting used to working here.
*You can find more details and practice of these structures in the relevant SURFACE MODULE 'BE/GET USED TO'
IT with INFINITIVE SUBJECTS
It is/was/has been etc + adjective + INFINITIVE Look at a few examples of this common structure:
- It was good to see you again.
- It's important to remember people's names.
- It would have been dangerous to swim because of the rough sea.
- It's easy to make mistakes with gerunds & infinitives.
Also see
Adjectives & TO
click the shapes to reveal the learning points
Some concepts and terminology to begin with
Gerunds - e.g. Reading
- We use ING forms not only as progressive verbs (e.g. I am reading), but also as adjectives, adverbs and, most frequently, nouns.
- This guide doesn't look at progressive verbs, it investigates the other uses.
- ING forms can be the subject, object or compliment of another verb:
Full Infinitive - e.g. To Read
- An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by the particle 'to'
- Infinitives are not inflected to show tense, person, or number.
- Infinitives can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a sentence. Like gerunds, they often follow another verb.
Bare Infinitive - e.g. Read
- A bare infinitive, also known as the base form of the verb, is an infinitive without the particle to
Bare infinitives are used after:
- Modal verbs (e.g. can - could - may - will)
- Certain verbs like let & make
- Certain expressions like had better & would rather
Split Infinitive
If you place an adverb between to and the rest of the infinitive, it's called a split infinitive. This is common in informal English
- I wanted to really understand (split)
- I wanted really to understand (non-split)
- Smoking is bad for your health (subject)
2. I hate doing nothing (object) 3. My favourite hobby is reading (compliment)
2. Other reasons to use an ING or INFINITIVE form
Did you notice 'reasons to use' in the above sentence? And 'it's important to use' in the panel above. Well, you see, there are a variety of reasons for using either an ING form or an infinitive form. We're going to be investigating those reasons!
Here's what we are going to look at in this Module:
Verbs are often followed by another verb and it's important to use the correct form of the second verbe.g.
- I enjoy reading - Verb + ING Form (Gerund)
- I want to go - Verb + Full INFINITIVE form
- I must go. - Verb + Bare INFINITIVE form
It's important to get the second part of the VERB + VERB combinations correct, but it can be quite tricky and requires practice.
1. VERB + VERB combinations (also called verb patterns).
close the window when you are ready to move on
Common nouns with dependent prepositions
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Transcript
English Grammar & Use - B1+ Collection
What are Gerunds & Infinitives?
B1 BASE
START
Gerunds & Infinitives
FOUNDATION MODULE
THE BASICS YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED TO KNOW
Learning Outcome:
STUDY TIME: 30 MINUTES CONSOLIDATION QUIZ: 30 QUESTIONS
Fluency when using Verb + Verb combinations & improved understanding of other reasons for using ING or TO forms
Returning user?JUMP TO MODULE MENU
Content Menu
The ING Form
Verbs Followed by ING
B1 BASE
PREPOSITIONS + ING
ING FORM as SUBJECT
CONJUNCTIONS + ING
The INFINITIVE Form
Verbs Followed by TO
ADJECTIVES + TO
WH WORDS + TO
THE INFINITIVE OFPURPOSE
The BARE INFINITIVE Form (Infinitive without 'TO')
When to use theBARE INFINITIVE
Review Gerunds & Infinitives Terminology
Verbs + Gerund
The following verbs can be followed by nouns and by verb forms. When followed by a verb form, it is a gerund (ING form);
love* - adore - like* - enjoy* - hate* - detest* - can't stand* - can't bear* - (don't) mind* accuse s/b of - admit - anticipate* - avoid* - be worth* - consider - delay* - deny - discover* - discontinue - dispute* - dread* - fancy* feel like - find* - finish - foresee* - imagine* - justify* - keep - mention* - miss* - overhear* - postpone* - practice - prevent* - propose recommend - recall* - resent* - resume - risk* - spend time - suggest - think - tolerate* - understand* - waste time
s/b = somebody
Verb Patterns & examples
CLICK the SHAPES below to see
(that + subject + verb phrase)
4. Many of the verbs can be followed by a that clause
1. Most of the verbs can be followed by a noun/pronoun:
The focus of the phrase is on the object.
5. Negative gerund: Not + ING
2. When followed by a gerund, the focus is on the action expressed by the gerund:
3. Many of the verbs (*) can be followed by a pronoun then a gerund:
Verb + ING continues
Download the verb list >
Learning the verbs will require regular practice & repetition.
3. Sentence Transformation.
1. Listen to some examples and repeat them.
Click here to reveal/hide the phrases.
Use the verbs in brackets to create a sentence which means the same as these:
1. I enjoy reading in bed. 2. Have you finished tidying your room? 3. I want to go on working until I'm 60. 4. I hate being late when I'm meeting someone. 5. I like having breakfast in a cafe. 6. I love waking up on a sunny morning. 7. I don't mind doing the ironing. It's quite relaxing. 8. She spends hours talking on the phone. 9. It started raining at 5.30 in the morning. 10. Please stop making so much noise. I can't think. 11. I don't feel like cooking today. Let's go out for lunch.
3.2. In my job I have to meet a lot of people. (involve)
3.4. We expect to double our turnover this year. (anticipate)
3.3. Why don't you get in touch with the supplier? (suggest)
3.1. There's a danger of losing business to our competitors.(risk)
Click here to reveal suggested answers
3.1 We risk losing business to our competitors.3.2 My job involves meeting a lot of people.3.3 I suggest contacting the supplier.3.4 We anticipate doubling our turnover this year.
4. Gerund or Infinitive Vortex Gameshort list
Click on the icon to play.The game will open in a new window/tab.
How quickly can you sort the verbs into the correct Vortex? The top time is 110 seconds - can you beat that? If the verb is usually followed by a gerund, drag it to the "ING" vortex if the verb is usually followed by an infinitive, drag it to the "TO" vortex
2. Select some verbs you are not so familiar with using.
Prepositions + Gerund
1. Use a gerund after prepositions & phrasal verbs to describe actions:
2. To is a preposition in the expressions below:
TO + ING
3. If you don't need to describe an action, prepositions and phrasal verbs are followed by nouns which name things or describe situations. Compare:
Things & Situations Actions a) She insisted on lunch b) She insisted on paying for lunch a) I'm good at mathematics b) I'm good at skiing a) I'm used to life in Rome now. b) I'm used to living in Rome now.
Before - After - Without - While - Despite/in spite of + GERUND
NB: With before, after & while, you can use a subject & verb in the correct tense instead of a gerund After he got up, he had a shower. 1 While I was driving to work, I called my wife. 2 After he had been working all day, he went home. 3 but using a gerund is simpler and shorter.
1.1
After getting up, he had a shower. 1 While driving to work, I phoned my wife. 2 After working all day, he went home. 3
She switched off her PC before leaving the office.
1.
They left the house without turning off the lights.
Despite arriving a little late, I didn't miss seeing the opening credits of the film.
In spite of knowing a lot about the subject, I found his presentation difficult to follow.
2.
He was so tired that he went to bed without having dinner.
She left without saying a word.
Never Say: Before to - After to - Without to - Despite to
GERUNDS as the SUBJECT of a SENTENCE
1. Using a gerund as a subject helps emphasise the gerund action as the central focus of the sentence.
2. Perfect gerunds can also be used as a subject:
This use doesn't add emphasis (see above), it substitutes a because + subject-verb phrase. e.g.
- Having been there before, I didn't need a guidebook.
(Because I had been there before...)- Having known him for a long time, I wasn't surprised by his reaction.
(Because I have known him for a long time...)3. We use a gerund as subject also in these structures:
Verbs + Infinitive
These verbs can be followed by nouns, prepositions etc, but when followed by another verb, the verb is an infinitive form.
agree - advise - afford - allow* - appear - arrange - ask* - attempt - beg* - be keen - (not) care - choose* - claim - dare* - decide - demand - deserve - defy** - encourage - expect* - fail - force** - hope - instruct - inspire** - intend* - learn - manage - offer - oblige** pay* - plan pretend - prepare - persuade - promise - prove - refuse - remind** - seem - strive - struggle - swear - teach** - tend - threaten train - urge* - use** - used to - vow - wait - want* - warn - would hate* - would like* - would prefer* - yearn
Verb Patterns & examples
CLICK the SHAPES below to see
4. These verbs can be followed by a that clause:
decide - plan - demand - expect - hope - wish - promise - agree learn - pretend - seem - advise - teach - tell - warn - vow
(that + subject + verb phrase)
1. Some of the verbs above can be followed by noun or pronoun & noun: e.g.
2. Many of the verbs (*) above can be followed by pronoun then infinitive: e.g.
5. The negative infinitive is: NOT TO
3. Some verbs (**) are always followed by a pronoun then infinitive in active sentences: e.g.
Verb + TO continues
Learning the verbs will require regular practice & repetition.
1. Listen to some examples and repeat them.
3. Sentence Transformation.
3.1. The subject is easy. I'm sure I'll pass the exam. (expect)
3.2. "Paul, Could you lend me €5 'till tomorrow?" (ask)
3.3. I'm going to Barbados for my holidays this year. (decide)
Use the words in brackets to make a sentence which means the same as these:
Click here to reveal/hide the phrases.
1. We've decided to go to France for our holiday. 2. Don't forget to turn off all the lights. 3. We hope to see you again soon. 4. I'm learning to drive. My test's next month. 5. I need to go to the supermarket. We don't have any milk. 6. He offered to help me with my CV. 7. They're planning to get married soon. 8. He pretended to be ill, but he wasn't really. 9. He promised to pay me back when he gets a job. 10. Remember to bring your dictionaries to class tomorrow. 11. It was very cloudy and started to rain. 12. I'm trying to find a job, but it's very hard. 13. I want to catch the 6 o'clock train. 14. I'd like to buy a new car next month..
Click here to reveal suggested sentences.
3.1 I expect to pass the exam, the subject is easy. 3.2 I asked Paul to lend me €5 'till tomorrow.3.3 I have decided to go to Barbados for my holidays this year.
4. Gerund or Infinitive Vortex Gameshort list
2. Select some verbs you are not so familiar with using.
How quickly can you sort the verbs into the correct Vortex? The top time is 110 seconds - can you beat that? If the verb is usually followed by a gerund, drag it to the "ING" vortex if the verb is usually followed by an infinitive, drag it to the "TO" vortex
Click on the icon to play.The game will open in a new window/tab.
WHAT - HOW - WHERE- WHO - WHEN - WHETHER plus INFINITIVE
NB: The WH... + Infinitive structure is common after these verbs: ask - know - decide - remember - forget - explain wonder - learn - understand
ADJECTIVES plus INFINITIVE
1. Adjectives are often followed by infinitives
2. Adjectives with too & enough plus infinitive
NB: This use helps emphasise the adjective as the central focus of the sentence.
INFINITIVES show the purpose of an action.
Use an infinitive to express WHY you performed a particular action.
Qu) Why did you stop working? Ans) I stopped working to have a coffee break.
You can simply answer the question with; to have a coffee or for a coffee. Never say for have a coffee
- After running 6km, I stopped to have a rest for a few moments
(i.e. I stopped running to have a rest)You can also use in order to, but this sounds rather formal.
Gerunds & Infinitives Summary Table of the Basic Rules
Use a BARE* INFINITIVE with
*an infinitive without to, e.g. Go
MAKE e.g. My boss made me clean his car! Double parking makes me see red! My parents made me help around the house when I was young.
Would rather e.g. I'd rather not go! I'd rather have a pizza, instead of pasta again. I'd rather finish the report today than do it tomorrow morning.
LET e.g. Let me go! Let me think about it Hold on. Don't let go!
Help e.g. Please help me carry the bags. She helped me prepare my presentation.
Had better e.g. I'd better go now, it's getting late.
You'd better not have another drink if you're going to drive home.
Daren't (dare not) e.g. I daren't tell him I scratched his car! I daren't think about it. I daren't weigh myself after Christmas.
and after Modal verbs
I will do it. He can ski well. Always tired? You should try sleeping more. You must be more relaxed now you are retired. I might go on holiday soon. It's not a sure thing, but I'm thinking about it. You shouldn't have bought that jacket. It really doesn't suit you. Your flight had a lot of turbulence? That must have been scary.
NB: the semi-modals have to & ought to use the full infinitive.
To + ING
LEARN THESE 3 EXPRESSIONS THEY ARE VERY COMMON & VERY USEFUL
1. Look forward to + ING/noun:
- Use it to end emails & in converstaion. It means you are waiting for a future event with pleasure
- I'm looking forward to going on holiday
2. Be used to + ING/noun/pronoun*:- I usually only work in Rome, I'm not used to working here in Milan.
3. Get used to + ING/noun/pronoun*:*You can find more details and practice of these structures in the relevant SURFACE MODULE 'BE/GET USED TO'
IT with INFINITIVE SUBJECTS
It is/was/has been etc + adjective + INFINITIVE Look at a few examples of this common structure:
- It was good to see you again.
- It's important to remember people's names.
- It would have been dangerous to swim because of the rough sea.
- It's easy to make mistakes with gerunds & infinitives.
Also seeAdjectives & TO
click the shapes to reveal the learning points
Some concepts and terminology to begin with
Gerunds - e.g. Reading
Full Infinitive - e.g. To Read
Bare Infinitive - e.g. Read
- A bare infinitive, also known as the base form of the verb, is an infinitive without the particle to
Bare infinitives are used after:Split Infinitive
If you place an adverb between to and the rest of the infinitive, it's called a split infinitive. This is common in informal English
- Smoking is bad for your health (subject)
2. I hate doing nothing (object) 3. My favourite hobby is reading (compliment)2. Other reasons to use an ING or INFINITIVE form
Did you notice 'reasons to use' in the above sentence? And 'it's important to use' in the panel above. Well, you see, there are a variety of reasons for using either an ING form or an infinitive form. We're going to be investigating those reasons!
Here's what we are going to look at in this Module:
Verbs are often followed by another verb and it's important to use the correct form of the second verbe.g.
- I must go. - Verb + Bare INFINITIVE form
It's important to get the second part of the VERB + VERB combinations correct, but it can be quite tricky and requires practice.1. VERB + VERB combinations (also called verb patterns).
close the window when you are ready to move on
Common nouns with dependent prepositions
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