Comparison of Gerund & Infinitive

Examples of gerunds

Thinking

Gerund & Infinitive Usage

At first glance, it may seem difficult to
know when to use an infinitive and
when to use a gerund. You will find the
following guidelines for
gerund/infinitive usage helpful.

Acting

Gerunds

Walking

Gerunds are best for use in sentences

about actions that are real or
complete, or that have been
completed.

Gerunds are formed with the letters

ing. For example:

Examples of infinitives
Infinitives are prefaced with the word
to. For example:
To think

I stopped worrying about the future.

In this example, the worrying was real
and it happened until I stopped.

To act
To walk

We really enjoy climbing mountains.

Both Gerunds and Infinitives can act

as the subject of a sentence:

In this example, the climbing is real

and its something we like to do.

Thinking is something that comes

naturally.

Infinitives

To think is something that comes

naturally.

Infinitives are best for use in

sentences about actions that are
unreal or abstract, or that will occur in
the future.

You can use a gerund or an infinitive

as the object of a verb:

Id like you to think about

something.

I like fishing.
I like to fish.

In this example, Im asking you to

think about something, but the
thinking hasnt happened yet.

Only a gerund can be the object of a

preposition. An infinitive cannot:

Can we take a walk without you

stopping to smoke?

We are thinking about walking in the

woods.

In this example, were talking about

taking a walk and the smoking hasnt
happened yet.