Download Notes-Gerunds and Infinitives Key

Notes: Gerunds and Infinitives
Part 1: GERUNDS
When a noun looks like a verb with -ing, it is called a gerund.
The base form of a verb + -ing.

Can be the subject of a sentence:
Jogging is good exercise.

Can be the object of a verb:
I like reading books.

Can be the object of a preposition:
We are talking about swimming in English class.
If you want to use an action word in a place that requires a noun, you
can usually use a verb with an -ing ending.
For example:
Fishing is fun.
Hiking is difficult.
That is ballet dancing.
In these sentences, fishing, hiking, and dancing look like verbs, but
they are not verbs. They are nouns. When a noun looks like a verb
with -ing, it is called a gerund.
When the action happened in the past, a gerund is usually used.
Past Action
Gerund
Monika has studied German.
Studying German was easy for
her.
This action happened in the past. Therefore, use a gerund. Using an
infinitive to refer to a past action is not as common and natural as
using a gerund.
Notes: Gerunds and Infinitives
Part 2: INFINITIVES
When a noun looks like a verb with the word “to” in front of it, it is
called a infinitive.
To + the base form of a verb.
For example:
To sleep
To wash
To love
Infinitives and infinitive phrases can be both subjects and objects in
sentences.

Subject: To study hard will increase your chances of
getting into college.

Object: Kathy wants to study with her friends.
Infinitives in the subject position are often used for general or
habitual actions. Here are some examples:



To live a happy life is everyone’s deepest desire.
To err is human, to forgive, divine. (Shakespeare)
To fix a car requires a lot more than a screwdriver.
Gerunds and infinitives can use the same verb. However, the way the
verb is used in each part of speech can change the meaning of the
sentence.
Gerund
Infinitive
Example
Louise stopped
drinking soda.
Louise stopped to
drink soda.
Meaning
She doesn’t drink
soda anymore.
She stopped doing an
activity because she
wanted to drink soda.
Practice: Identify each of the following as a gerund or infinitive.
Notes: Gerunds and Infinitives




I
I
I
I
forget locking the door. _________________
forgot to lock the door. _________________
stopped drinking soda. _________________
stopped to drink soda. __________________
Part 3: PARTICIPLES
A PARTICIPLE is a word formed as a verb that can be used as an
adjective.
There are two main types of participles:
1. Present Participle-ends in –ing
2. Past Participle-ends in –ed, -en
Verb
rise
boil
break
cook
Past Participle
the risen sun
the boiled water
the broken news
the cooked ham
Present Participle
the rising sun
the boiling water
the breaking news
the cooking ham
**Note: Each of these are used to describe (adjective) not as an action
(verb).