What is a gerund?

1. A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing." The gerund form of
the verb "read" is "reading." You can use a gerund as the subject, the
complement, or the object of a sentence.

Examples:

 Reading helps you learn English. subject of sentence

 Her favorite hobby is reading. complement of sentence
 I enjoy reading. object of sentence

Gerunds can be made negative by adding "not."

Examples:

 He enjoys not working.
 The best thing for your health is not smoking.

What is an infinitive?
2. An infinitive is the "to" form of the verb. The infinitive form of "learn" is "to
learn." You can also use an infinitive as the subject, the complement, or the
object of a sentence.

Examples:

 To learn is important. subject of sentence

 The most important thing is to learn. complement of sentence
 He wants to learn. object of sentence

Infinitives can be made negative by adding "not."

Examples:

 I decided not to go.
 The most important thing is not to give up.

Use a gerund or an infinitive?

3. 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, spoken English, whereas infinitives sound more abstract. In
the following sentences, gerunds sound more natural and would be more
common in everyday English. Infinitives emphasize the possibility or potential
for something and sound more philosophical. If this sounds confusing, just
remember that 90% of the time, you will use a gerund as the subject or
complement of a sentence.

Examples:

 Learning is important. normal subject

 To learn is important. abstract subject - less common
 The most important thing is learning. normal complement
 The most important thing is to learn. abstract complement - less
common

 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.

Examples:

 He enjoys swimming. "Enjoy" requires a gerund.

 He wants to swim. "Want" requires an infinitive.

5. Some verbs are followed by gerunds as objects. List of Verbs Followed by

Gerunds

Examples:

 She suggested going to a movie.
 Mary keeps talking about her problems.

Some verbs are followed by infinitives. List of Verbs Followed by Infinitives

Examples:

 She wants to go to a movie.

 Mary needs to talk about her problems.
 Adverb: Definition & Types
  (5/5, 217 votes)





An adverb is a word/a set of words that modifies verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. It tells when, where, and how an action is
performed or indicates the quality or degree of the action.
Many adverbs end in -ly but some words which end in -ly (such as friendly) are not adverbs. Many words can be both adverbs and
adjectives according to their activity in the sentence.
Example:
o Robin is always hungry for success.
o I love her very much.
o He is running fast .
o Alex works hard.
o He wrote that willingly.
Adverb Clauses and Adverb Phrases are clauses and phrases that modify the verbs, adjectives or other adverbs in the sentence.
Example:
o He ran toward the bus until he was tired . (Adverb Clause)
o He came carrying his box with two hands . (Adverb Phrase)
o We were panicked without any reason. (Adverb Phrase)

Types of Adverbs:
 Conjunctive Adverbs
 Sentence Adverbs
 Adverbs of Time/Frequency (When?)
 Adverbs of Place/Direction (Where?)
 Adverbs of Degree (How Much?)
 Adverbs of Manner (How?)

Conjunctive Adverbs:
A conjunctive adverb connects phrases or independent clauses. It provides transitions between ideas and shows relationships.
Conjunctive adverbs are also called connectors.
Example:
o It rained last night. Nonetheless, the final match has not been canceled.
o We are still confused, however, if the umpires will come.
o Last season there was a great drought;  consequently, we could not grow crops.

entence Adverbs:
A sentence adverb starts the sentence and modifies the whole sentence.
Example:
o Hopefully, we will win the match.
o Apparently, the sky is getting cloudy.
o Certainly, I did not think of coming here.

Adverbs of Time/Frequency (When?)

Adverbs of time/frequency indicate time or frequency of the action in the sentence. They answer the question ‘when/how
frequently is the action performed?’.
 Always, never, often, eventually, now, frequently, occasionally, once, forever, seldom, before, Sunday, Monday, 10 AM, 12
PM, etc. are common adverbs of time/frequency.
Example:
o I went to school a little late yesterday.
o He always gets a good result.
o I will leave Monday.
o He smokes occasionally.

Adverbs of Place/Direction (Where?)

Adverbs of place/direction that indicate place/direction of the action in the sentence. They answer the question ‘ where is the
action performed?’.
Across, over, under, in, out, through, backward, there, around, here, sideways, upstairs, in the park, in the field, in that
place, etc. are some common adverbs of place/direction.
Example:
o I went through the jungle.
o He plays in the field.
o Alex is going to school.
o He is staying at my home.

Adverbs of Degree (How Much?)

Adverbs that express the importance/degree/level of the action in the sentence are called  adverbs of degree. They answer the
question ‘how much is the action performed?’.
Completely, nearly, entirely, less, mildly, most, thoroughly, somewhat, excessively, much, etc. are common adverbs of degree.
Example:
o She completely forgot about her anniversary.
o I read the newspaper thoroughly.
o I am so excited about the new job.
o Robin hardly studies

Adverbs of Manner (How?)

Adverbs that express the manner/approach/process of the action in the sentence are called  adverbs of manner. They answer
the question ‘how is the action performed?’.
Beautifully, equally, thankfully, carefully, handily, quickly, coldly, hotly, resentfully, earnestly, nicely, tirelessly, etc. are
common adverbs of manner. These adverbs usually end in ly.
Example:
o Let's divide the prizes equally.
o Please, handle the camera carefully.
o Mike is walking slowly.
o He is running fast .