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W R I T E R I G H T—E S L Using Gerunds and Infinitives as Objects Gerunds and infinitives are verbals, verb forms that can function as subjects or objects, adverbs, or adjectives in sentences. When using verbals as objects in a sentence, selecting the right one can be tricky for ESL writers. Here are some definitions to help you differentiate gerunds and infinitives and some tips for using them as objects. On the back, you will find selected verbs that require a gerund object and others that require an infinitive. DEFINITIONS Verbal Construction Type of action Gerund Base verb + -ing The action of the gerund is completed, fulfilled, or in progress before the action of the preceding verb. Infinitive To + base verb The action of the infinitive is abstract, potential, or future in relation to the action of the preceding verb. Example (verbal used as object is italicized) The girl stopped singing. (The singing was in progress before it was stopped.) We are planning to eat at 7:00. (The eating is to take place after, or in the future, in relation to the planning.) USAGE RULES OF THUMB Always use gerunds as objects of prepositions. The cafeteria is a bad place for to sleep. INCORRECT The cafeteria is a bad place for sleeping. CORRECT Always use parallel structure when your sentence has multiple verbal objects. He went walking, leaping, and to praise God. INCORRECT He went walking, leaping, and praising God. CORRECT The verbs in the chart below can have either a gerund or an infinitive object. Watch out for subtle differences in meaning that may occur, depending on your choice of a gerund or an infinitive object following these verbs: begin start continue stop like love hate prefer remember forget Example: I prefer walking. vs. I prefer to walk. With the gerund walking, this phrase connotes the general preference that the subject I has for walking, as opposed to some other mode of transportation. With the infinitive to walk, the phrase may connote an immediate or near-future instance in which the subject I would rather walk (e.g., today, or to class). Example: The man forgot to take his medicine yesterday. vs. The man forgot taking his medicine yesterday. You try this one: Based on the definitions in the chart at the top of this page, see whether you can determine in which sentence the man did take his medicine and in which sentence he did not. SELECTED VERB LISTS These verbs take GERUND objects: acknowledge admit advise anticipate appreciate avoid cannot help complete confess consider contemplate delay deny detest discuss dislike establish evade enjoy escape favor finish imagine include involve keep mention mind miss postpone practice protest quit recall recommend regret relate report resent resist resume risk save suggest tolerate understand urge welcome Example sentences: The actor enjoyed telling his story. Verb: enjoyed Gerund object: telling She finished taking the exam on time. Verb: finished Gerund object: taking Students appreciate receiving thoughtful comments on their assignments. Verb: appreciate Gerund object: receiving These verbs take INFINITIVE objects: afford agree aim appear arrange ask attempt beg care consent decide decline demand deserve desire endeavor expect fail get guarantee happen help hesitate hope intend learn manage need neglect offer plan prepare pretend promise propose refuse seek seem struggle swear tend threaten volunteer vow want wish Example sentences: I hesitate to ask questions before I have reflected on the issue. Verb: hesitate Infinitive object: to ask The author declined to comment on the criticism she had received. Verb: declined Infinitive object: to comment The professor intends to write a definitive work in his field of study. Verb: intends Infinitive object: to write Exercise: Use the rules of usage on the first page and the selected verb lists to fill in the blanks. A writing consultant can check your answers, if you like. 1. We hope __________ (move) to our new house next month. 2. He keeps __________ (thank) me for the flowers. 3. “You will not regret __________ (buy) this policy,” the insurance salesman assured me. 4. The racecar driver said that he expected __________ (win) the race on Saturday. 5. Maggie prefers __________ (walk; action in progress) rather than __________ (drive; action in progress). 6. She likes ___________ (run; abstract action) in the park. Copyright © 2009 Wheaton College Writing Center; latest revision June 2015