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TUTORIAL
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words that are formed with verbs but act as nouns
very easy to spot
end in –ing  no exception to this rule
can be used as:
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a subject,
direct object,
subject complement,
object of preposition.
can be made negative by adding "not."
Examples:
Not doing anything is worse than doing the wrong thing.
He enjoys not working.
The best thing for your health is not smoking.
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Example:
Reading helps you learn English.
- reading is the SUBJECT of learn
- WHAT? + helps you learn English = SUBJECT
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Other examples:
Swimming is a good exercise.
- swimming is the SUBJECT of be
Smoking costs a lot of money.
- learning is the subject of cost
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Example:
We can’t afford making the same mistake.
- making the same mistake is the direct object of the
sentence
- We + can’t afford + WHAT? = DIRECT OBJECT
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Other examples:
She dislikes learning English grammar.
Have you finished working?
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Example:
-What I really like is travelling to other
countries.
- after a linking verb e.g. TO BE
Other examples:
- Knowledge is learning something everday.
- My favourite occupation is reading books in
English.
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Example:
After waiting patiently for an hour I left the office.
- waiting patiently for an hour functions as the object of
the preposition
- Preposition+gerund phrase = OBJECT OF THE PREPOSITION
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Other examples:
- I am looking forward to meeting you.
- She managed to pass her exam by learning a lot.
- Handouts must be taken before leaving the classroom.
- The police arrested him for speeding.
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gerund phrases can tidy up a cluttered, messy sentence
sentences with gerund phrases are generally descriptive and
interesting
Examples:
1) On Sunday afternoons I habitually do laundry.
 Doing laundry on Sunday afternoon has become my habit.
2) On the weekend I clean my kitchen, which I enjoy.
On the weekend I enjoy cleaning my kitchen.
3) My greatest challenge in school is to focus while I read.
My greatest challenge in school is focusing on my reading.
Focusing on my reading is my greatest challenge in school.
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the "to" form of the verb
e.g. the infinitive form of:
demand ---- to demand
supply ---- to supply
Examples:
He needs to buy a new mobile phone.
The teacher wants to explain the new lesson.
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can be made negative by adding "not.“
Examples:
I decided not to go.
The most important thing is not to give up.
1) After certain verbs, adjectives and nouns.
a.
Verb + infinitive
They hope to reach the party on time.
I want to try the new ice-cream flavour.
b. Adjective + infinitive
I’m happy to hear you are well.
She’s delighted to see him.
c. Noun + infinitive
I’ve got some homework to do.
It’s a high price to pay.
It’s time to take a break.
2) To express a purpose
I got up early to do homework.
I have some letters to write.
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Some verbs (e.g. love, hate, start, prefer) can
take gerund or infinitive, with similar meanings
Examples:
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I love to eat chocolates.
I love eating chocolates.
I started to polish the car, but then decided not
to.
I started polishing the car, but then decided not
to.
I hate to get up early.
I hate getting up early.
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few verbs (such as ‘stop’, ‘remember’ and
‘forget’) can be followed by either the gerund or
the infinitive but the meanings are different.
 Examples:
STOP
They stopped having lunch at the restaurant.
(They don’t eat at the restaurant anymore)
They stopped to have lunch at the restaurant.
(They stopped another activity in order to have lunch
at the restaurant)
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‘
REMEMBER
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Remember to bring your portfolio to the class
tomorrow.
(Don’t forget to bring your portfolio...)
I remember collecting marbles in our old
neighbourhood.
(Past memory: I remember that I collected
marbles ...)
REGRET
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I regret to tell you that your application has
been rejected.
(To apologise for something bad. To inform
something bad. This is used in more formal
situations.)
I regret not saying goodbye before leaving.
(To be sorry now for something we did in the
past)
BE CAREFUL!
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‘to’ can be part of the infinitive or it can be a
preposition
use gerund after the preposition ‘to’
Examples:
I look forward to hearing from you. (√)
I look forward to hear from you. (X)
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After verbs that express
likes/dislikes:
like, love, enjoy
dislike, hate
don't mind, can't stand
..... doing
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After verbs that refer to a
future event :
want, hope, intend
would like, promise
......... to do
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After certain other
verbs, such as :
admit
imagine
appreciate involve
avoid
keep (on)
consider
mention
delay
miss
deny
postpone
finish
suggest
........ doing
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After certain other
verbs, such as :
afford
agree
arrange
choose
fail
happen
help
learn
manage
offer
refuse
seem
.............. to do
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After certain
expressions:
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After "too" &
"enough":
it's no use ...
it's no good ...
there's no point in
too difficult
easy enough
.......... doing
............... to do
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After prepositions :
interested in ...
instead of ...
good at ...
before ...
after
............. doing
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After
adjectives:
glad (ex : glad to
know...)
pleased (ex :
pleased to meet
you...)
disappointed (ex :
disappointed to
hear...)
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1. It's obvious he's only interested in (make)
______________ money.
2. Anne couldn't find a taxi so I offered (drive)
________________ her to the station.
3. I managed (book) ________________ two seats
on the morning flight.
4. I promise (send) _______________ you our new
brochure as soon as it's available.
5. Peter was delighted (meet) _______________ a
former colleague at the conference.
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6. I avoid (take) _______________ the car
whenever possible, especially in big cities.
7. We finished the job by (work)
_______________ 12 hours a day.
8. Bob sent a report to the Chairman instead of
(attend) _______________ the meeting.
9. A lot of people dislike (drive)
_______________ at night.
10. I intend (speak) _______________ to my
boss about your complaint.
TASK: Put the verbs in brackets into the gerund or the infinitive.
1. There’s a lot of work ______ (do) in the new building.
2. ‘What’s this for?’
‘It’s for _______ (cook) the vegetables.’
3. I really love _____ (play) with the children.
4. ______ (swim) is a good form of exercise.
5. I can’t stand _____ (do) the washing-up.
6.We managed ______ (pass) the exam by _____ (test)
each other every evening.
7. We were getting tired, so we stopped _____ (have)
lunch.
8. I was surprised _______ (not hear) about the new
baby.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
I want _____ (finish) work early tonight.
I hate ______ (wait) for buses in the rain.
I’m going to the café _____ (meet) Anna.
Sam is really good at _____ (climb).
Thank you for ____ (be) so helpful.
I enjoy _____ (listen) to the radio while
cooking.
Let’s go now. I’m worried about _____
(miss) the train.
He refused _____ (help) me.