1.4 Gerunds & Infinitives

1.4 Gerunds & infinitives

E1 - Explanation

Before beginning the examples and exercises, please watch the Explanation Video below.

E2 - Examples

Infinitives - simple form of verb with to:

I like to eat. He wants to cry when he thinks about all the homework he has. My mother is going to shop for groceries. Juri had to go to the hospital to visit her aunt. To prepare for a party, you should first make a list.

Gerunds - verb stems with -ing used as nouns:

Camping is fun. Surfing on the East Coast is a popular summer activity. I am going skiing in Pyeongchang. Online shopping is an expensive hobby.

Continuous Verbs - verb stems with -ing, used with to be:

The doctor is planning his holiday schedule now. Is your cat eating my chicken nuggets? Sera & Tom were dancing together at the party. He’s having a difficult time in this class. Grandmother was baking cupcakes and cookies for Christmas.

E3 - Exercises

Exercise 1.4 A
Should you use the infinitive or continuous form?
Decide for each of these sentences.

a) eat   - I want _____________ some ramen for supper.
b) buy - Lou _________________ all his groceries at E-Mart.
c) sing - What are you going ______________ for the school concert?
d) have - You don’t think they ______________ an argument, but I do.
e) kiss - The director wants Sophia _____________ the prince in this scene.
f) drive - It takes too long __________ to Seoul from Pohang; we should take the KTX.
g) print - The student _______________ the paper when she ran out of ink.
h) investigate - Aren’t there any detectives available _______________ this crime?
I) repair - ______________ a torn shirt, you will need some thread and a needle.
j) cry - If you don’t want ___________ when you chop onions, try cutting them under water.

Exercise 1.4 B
Mark the type of verb used in these sentences: continuous verb (CV) or gerund (G) ?

Harry was sitting in a car when he met Sally. _________
Studying Russian is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. _________
I’m drawing a picture of my mother for her birthday. _________
We’re watching the pop singers on MTV. _________
Not everyone is good at whistling. _________
I couldn’t believe it, but Terry was caught cheating on his driver’s test. _________
Please stop that coughing; it’s disturbing the others in the library! _______ _______
Winning the essay contest will look good on my resume. ___________
We are looking at page 55 in the textbook today, so let’s get started. _________

E4 - Expansion

CHALLENGE: Can you find and identify the different forms of verbs used in this paragraph?

Discussing foreign policy is difficult. These two presidents have to make a very important decision; their countries are having problems with pollution. Both countries' factories are producing too much waste, and they need to stop contaminating the environment. They are talking privately, and they agree that it is important to reduce the amount of waste. President Mahir is thinking that she wants to pass a law about recycling. President Arjun has to decide whether he is going to create a similar law or if he is focusing on improving air quality. The discussion is going to take all day, but they are going to stop talking soon. They need to take a break and have lunch! Arjun will be offering Mahir a special delicacy from his country. It's chicken hearts in a chile sauce - he knows she likes spicy food.

1.4 E5 External Links

If you want to know more about infinitives →

https://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/infinitive_form.htm

If you want to know more about gerunds →

https://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/gerunds.htm
https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/structures/gerund_progressive.htm
https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/structures/gerund_subject_object.htm
https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/verbals.html