Transcript Grammar - Gerund

English Training – December 8, 2010
Sabine Keuser
Gerund
A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing.“You can use a
gerund as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence.
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Reading helps you learn English.
Her favorite hobby is reading.
I enjoy reading.
SUBJECT OF SENTENCE
COMPLEMENT OF SENTENCE
OBJECT OF SENTENCE
Gerunds can be made negative by adding "not.“
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He enjoys not working.
The best thing for your health is not smoking.
Infinitive
Infinitives are the "to" form of the verb. You can also use an infinitive
as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence.
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To learn is important.
The most important thing is to learn.
He wants to learn.
SUBJECT OF SENTENCE
COMPLEMENT OF SENTENCE
OBJECT OF SENTENCE
Infinitives can be made negative by adding "not.“
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I decided not to go.
The most important thing is not to give up.
Gerund or Infinitive as Subject and Complement
Both gerunds and infinitives can be used as the subject or the
complement of a sentence. However, as subjects or
complements, gerunds usually sound more like normal, whereas
infinitives sound more abstract.
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Learning is important.
To learn is important.
normal
less common
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The most important thing is learning.
The most important thing is to learn.
normal
less common
Gerund or Infinitive as Object
As the object of a sentence, it is more difficult to choose between
a gerund or an infinitive. In such situations, gerunds and
infinitives are not normally interchangeable. Usually, the main
verb in the sentence determines whether you use a gerund or an
infinitive.
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He enjoys swimming.
He wants to swim.
"Enjoy" requires a gerund.
"Want" requires an infinitive.
Difference in Meaning
Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or an infinitive, but with
a difference in meaning.

Nancy remembered getting married.
Nancy has a memory of getting married.
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Fred remembered to bring sunblock to the beach.
Fred remembered that he needed to bring sunblock.
Smiliar Meaning
Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or an infinitive with little
difference in meaning: Using a gerund suggests that you are
referring to real activities or experiences. Using an infinitive
suggests that you are talking about potential or possible
activities or experiences.
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The British reporter likes living in New York.
He lives in New York and he likes what he experiences there.
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The British reporter likes to live in New York whenever he works in the
US.
He likes the option or possibility of living in New York when he works in
the US.
Prepositions + Gerund
Gerunds are used after prepositions.
Most commonly, these are "verb + preposition" combinations.
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They admitted to committing the crime.
Leslie made up for forgetting my birthday.
He is thinking about studying abroad.
Remember that there are many "adjective + preposition"
combinations and "noun + preposition" combinations in English as
well.
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Sandy is scared of flying. ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION
Nick is anxious about taking the examination. ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION
His interest in becoming a professional snowboarder was well known. NOUN
+ PREPOSITION
Thomas' story about seeing a grizzly bear was really exciting. NOUN +
PREPOSITION