Mt.

SAC
Level 4
Unit 9: Gerunds & Infinitives
Marina McLaughlin M.S. Ed
What is a gerund?
O We often use a gerund as a noun.
O We make a gerund this way:

(Base form + -ing)

Example: eating, walking, talking, etc.
Explain the action using a
gerund.
Grammar Note 1
O A gerund can have a negative form:

(not + base form + -ing)

Not exercising leads to health problems.
Grammar Note 1
O When you use a gerund as the subject it
is always singular. (3
rd
person singular)

O Eating too many fries is unhealthy.
O Not exercising leads to health problems.

Try it!
1. Make an affirmative sentence using a
gerund as the subject.
2. Make a sentence using the negative
form of the gerund as the subject.

Grammar Note 2
O A gerund often follows verbs as the object
of the verb.

I dislike eating McDonalds everyday.
object subject
verb
Grammar Note 2
O You can use a possessive before a gerund.

informal (spoken English):
I dislike Julio eating fast foods.
I dislike him eating fast foods

correct English:
I dislike Julios eating fast foods.
I dislike his eating fast foods.
What is an infinitive?
O It can also act as a noun.
O Here is how you make it:

(to + base form)
to eat, to play, to sleep, to read, etc.
Grammar Note 3
O You can use infinitives after some verbs.
1. verb + infinitive
They hope to open a new McDonalds.
2. verb + object + infinitive
I urge you to try that new restaurant.
verb object
Grammar Note 3
O Some verbs can be followed by, both, (1)
an infinitive or by (2) an object + infinitive:

I want to try that new restaurant.

I want her to try that new restaurant.
Grammar Note 4
O Some verbs can be followed by either a
gerund or an infinitive:

I started bringing my own lunch.
I started to bring my own lunch.

O Both have the SAME meaning!

Grammar Note 4
O A few verbs can be used with a gerund
and with an infinitive, but DO NOT have
the same meaning.

He remembered meeting her.
He remembered to meet her.


Grammar Note 5
O A gerund is the ONLY form that can follow
a preposition.

O I read an article about counting calories.
O We look forward to having dinner with
you.
Grammar Note 6
O An infinitive often follows:
1. an adjective
They were glad to hear that it tasted good.
2. an adverb
Its too soon to eat.
3. certain nouns
Its time to take a break.
Grammar Note 7
O Use an infinitive to explain the purpose of
an action.
Diana eats fast food to save time.
Grammar Note 8
O To make general statements you can use:
1. gerund as subject
Cooking is difficult.
2. It + infinitive
It is difficult to cook.