GERUNDS & INFINITIVES

Infinitives and gerunds are two important verb forms in English that ESL
students often encounter. Understanding the difference between them
can greatly improve your language skills. Here's a summary of infinitives
and gerunds:

Infinitives:

- An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by the word "to" (e.g.,
to walk, to eat, to read).

Infinitives can be used as noun phrases, adjectives, or adverbs in a

sentence.

Examples:

Noun phrase: "To swim in the ocean is my favorite activity."

Adjective: "I have a book to read."
Adverb: "She went to the store to buy groceries."

Gerunds:

- A gerund is the -ing form of a verb and functions as a noun in a

sentence (e.g., swimming, eating, reading).

Gerunds can be used as subjects, objects, or complements.

Examples:

Subject: "Swimming is a great exercise."

Object: "I enjoy eating ice cream."
Complement: "Her hobby is reading books."
 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INFINITIVES AND GERUNDS:

1. Use "to + infinitive" when expressing purpose or intention (e.g., "I

went to the gym to work out").

2. Use a gerund when the verb functions as a noun in the sentence

(e.g., "I enjoy swimming").

3. Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund with

a change in meaning (e.g., "I like to swim" vs. "I like swimming").

4. Certain verbs are followed by specific patterns (e.g., "I look

forward to seeing you" or "I enjoy playing the piano").

Tips for ESL Students:

-Pay attention to the context and the function of the verb in the
sentence to determine whether to use an infinitive or a gerund.

-Practice using both infinitives and gerunds in various sentence

structures.

-Make note of common verbs that are typically followed by either an

infinitive or a gerund.

-Read and listen to English materials to observe the usage of infinitives

and gerunds in different contexts.

Remember, mastering the use of infinitives and gerunds takes time and
practice. With regular exposure and usage, you will become more
comfortable using these verb forms effectively in your English
communication.