The difference in the form of gerunds and infinitives is quite clear just from comparing the following lists:
Their functions, however, overlap. Gerunds always function as nouns, but infinitives often also serve as nouns. Deciding which to use can be confusing in many situations, especially for people whose first language is not English.
Confusion between gerunds and infinitives occurs primarily in cases in which one or the other functions as the direct object in a sentence. In English some verbs take gerunds as verbal direct objects exclusively while other verbs take only infinitives and still others can take either. Many such verbs are listed below, organized according to which kind of verbal direct object they take.
| agree | decide | expect | hesitate |
| learn | need | promise | neglect |
| hope | want | plan | attempt |
| propose | intend | pretend |
I hope to go on a vacation soon.
(not: I hope going on a vacation soon.*)He promised to go on a diet.
(not: He promised going on a diet. *)They agreed to sign the treaty.
(not: They agreed signing the treaty.*)Because she was nervous, she hesitated to speak.
(not: Because she was nervous, she hesitated speaking.*)They will attempt to resuscitate the victim
(not: They will attempt resuscitating the victim.*)
| deny | risk | delay | consider |
| can't help | keep | give up | be fond of |
| finish | quit | put off | practice |
| postpone | tolerate | suggest | stop (quit) |
| regret | enjoy | keep (on) | dislike |
| admit | avoid | recall | mind |
| miss | detest | appreciate | recommend |
| get/be through | get/be tired of | get/be accustomed to | get/be used to |
They always avoid drinking before driving.
(not: They always avoid to drink before driving.*)I recall asking her that question.
(not: I recall to ask her that question.*)She put off buying a new jacket.
(not: She put off to buy a new jacket.*)Mr. Allen enjoys cooking.
(not: Mr. Allen enjoys to cook.*)Charles keeps calling her.
(not: Charles keeps to call her.*)
Now go to http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/bl_verbform2.htm and test yourself with the quiz.
For today:
1. Write about a career-related web site you enjoy visiting (150 words).
You should:
- provide a link
- say how you found the site
- say how often you visit the site
- use at least one gerund form and one infinitive form--make them bold!
and explain why you like the site.
Add comments to at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs
The difference in the form of gerunds and infinitives is quite clear just from comparing the following lists:
Their functions, however, overlap. Gerunds always function as nouns, but infinitives often also serve as nouns. Deciding which to use can be confusing in many situations, especially for people whose first language is not English.
Confusion between gerunds and infinitives occurs primarily in cases in which one or the other functions as the direct object in a sentence. In English some verbs take gerunds as verbal direct objects exclusively while other verbs take only infinitives and still others can take either. Many such verbs are listed below, organized according to which kind of verbal direct object they take.
| agree | decide | expect | hesitate |
| learn | need | promise | neglect |
| hope | want | plan | attempt |
| propose | intend | pretend |
I hope to go on a vacation soon.
(not: I hope going on a vacation soon.*)He promised to go on a diet.
(not: He promised going on a diet. *)They agreed to sign the treaty.
(not: They agreed signing the treaty.*)Because she was nervous, she hesitated to speak.
(not: Because she was nervous, she hesitated speaking.*)They will attempt to resuscitate the victim
(not: They will attempt resuscitating the victim.*)
| deny | risk | delay | consider |
| can't help | keep | give up | be fond of |
| finish | quit | put off | practice |
| postpone | tolerate | suggest | stop (quit) |
| regret | enjoy | keep (on) | dislike |
| admit | avoid | recall | mind |
| miss | detest | appreciate | recommend |
| get/be through | get/be tired of | get/be accustomed to | get/be used to |
They always avoid drinking before driving.
(not: They always avoid to drink before driving.*)I recall asking her that question.
(not: I recall to ask her that question.*)She put off buying a new jacket.
(not: She put off to buy a new jacket.*)Mr. Allen enjoys cooking.
(not: Mr. Allen enjoys to cook.*)Charles keeps calling her.
(not: Charles keeps to call her.*)
Now go to http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/bl_verbform2.htm and test yourself with the quiz.
For today:
1. Write about a career-related web site you enjoy visiting (150 words).
You should:
- provide a link
- say how you found the site
- say how often you visit the site
- use at least one gerund form and one infinitive form--make them bold!
and explain why you like the site.
Add comments to at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs
Once you have completed your own blog post, take a few minutes to look at the posts your classmates have made. If you like, you may link to each other's blogs or use this class homepage to find others' blogs.
