Download Lesson 5 Verbs--Gerunds, Infinitives, and Participles

Lesson 5
Verbs--Gerunds, Infinitives, and Participles
5.1 Definitions and Functions
5.1.1 Gerunds 動名詞
A gerund is a verbal that ends in -ing and functions as a noun. The term verbal
indicates that a gerund, like the other two kinds of verbals, is based on a verb and
therefore expresses action or a state of being. However, since a gerund functions as a
noun, it occupies some positions in a sentence that a noun ordinarily would, for
example: subject, direct object, subject complement, and object of preposition.
5.1.2 Infinitives 不定詞
An infinitive is a verbal in its basic form with or without the word to: therefore, do and
to do, be and to be, and so on are infinitives. When the word to is absent, the infinitive
is said to be a bare infinitive; when it is present, it is generally considered to be a part
of the infinitive, known as the full infinitive (or to-infinitive). An infinitive functions
either as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
The term verbal indicates that an infinitive, like the other two kinds of verbals, is based
on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being. However, the infinitive
may function as a subject, direct object, subject complement, adjective, or adverb
in a sentence. Although an infinitive is easy to locate because of the to + verb form,
deciding what function it has in a sentence can sometimes be confusing.
5.1.3 Participles 分詞
A participle is a verbal that most often ends in -ing or -ed, and functions as an
adjective. The term verbal indicates that a participle, like the other two kinds of
verbals, is based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being. However,
since they function as adjectives, participles modify nouns or pronouns.
There are two types of participles: present participles and past participles. Present
participles end in -ing. Past participles end in -ed, -en, -d, -t, or -n, as in the words
asked, eaten, saved, dealt, and seen.
5.2 Uses of Gerunds
5.2.1 Gerund as subject:
1




Traveling might satisfy your desire for new experiences. (Traveling is the
gerund.)
The study abroad program might satisfy your desire for new experiences. (The
gerund has been removed.)
Smoking costs a lot of money. (Smoking is the gerund.)
A yacht costs a lot of money. (The gerund has been removed.)
5.2.2 Gerund as direct object:




They do not appreciate my singing. (The gerund is singing.)
They do not appreciate my assistance. (The gerund has been removed.)
I like writing. (The gerund is writing.)
I like apples. (The gerund has been removed.)
5.2.3 Gerund as subject complement:




My cat's favorite activity is sleeping. (The gerund is sleeping.)
My cat's favorite food is salmon. (The gerund has been removed.)
Jane’s favorite occupation is reading. (The gerund is reading.)
Jane’s favorite singer is Lady Gaga. (The gerund has been removed.)
5.2.4 Gerund after preposition:
There is a rule in English grammar that states that what follows a preposition
must be a noun. So if we want to use a verb after a preposition, it must be a
gerund. No exceptions! One cannot use an infinitive after a preposition.
(see also 5.4 To do or to doing?)






The police arrested him for speeding. (The gerund is speeding.)
The police arrested him for criminal activity. (The gerund has been removed.)
Please have a drink before leaving. (The gerund is leaving.)
Please have a drink before your departure. (The gerund has been removed.)
I am looking forward to meeting you. (The gerund is meeting.)
I am looking forward to our lunch. (The gerund has been removed.)
5.2.5 Gerund Phrases
A Gerund phrase is a group of words consisting of a gerund + the modifier(s) and/or
noun(s), pronoun(s), or noun phrase(s) that function as the subject(s), direct object(s),
2
indirect object(s), or complement(s) of the action or state expressed in the gerund, such
as:
5.2.5.1
Gerund phrase as subject:

Finding a needle in a haystack would be easier than what we're trying to do.
〔Finding (gerund) a needle (direct object of action expressed in gerund) in a
haystack (prepositional phrase as adverb)〕.

Smoking cigarettes costs a lot of money.
〔Smoking (gerund) cigarettes (direct object of action expressed in gerund)〕.
5.2.5.2

Gerund phrase as direct object:
I hope that you appreciate my offering you this opportunity.
〔as direct object of the verb “appreciate”: my (possessive pronoun adjective
form, modifying the gerund) offering (gerund) you (indirect object of action
expressed in gerund) this opportunity (direct object of action expressed in
gerund)〕.

I don't like writing letters.
〔writing (gerund) letters (direct object of action expressed in gerund)〕.
5.2.5.3 Gerund phrase as subject complement:

Ellen's favorite tactic has been encouraging his clients.
〔encouraging (gerund) his clients (direct object of action expressed in
gerund)〕.

My favorite occupation is reading detective stories.
〔reading (gerund) detective stories (direct object of action expressed in
gerund)〕.
5.2.5.4 Gerund phrase after preposition:

You might get in trouble for faking an illness to avoid work.
〔faking (gerund) an illness (direct object of action expressed in gerund) to
avoid work (infinitive phrase as adverb)〕.

I am looking forward to meeting your friend.
〔meeting (gerund) your friend (direct object of action expressed in gerund)〕.
3
5.2.6 Gerunds after Certain Verbs
We sometimes use one verb after another verb. In such cases, the second verb will
have to change form, to either the infinitive form or the gerund form. For example,


I want to eat.
I dislike eating.
Whether the second verb should be in infinitive or gerund depends on the first verb.
Here is a list of verbs that are usually followed by a verb in gerund form:
admit, advise, allow, anticipate, appreciate, avoid, can't help, carry on, confess,
consider, defer, delay, deny, detest, dislike, endure, enjoy, escape, excuse, face,
fancy, feel like, finish, forgive, give up, imagine, involve, justify, keep (on), leave
off, mention, mind, miss, permit, postpone, practise, put off, quit, recommend,
report, resent, resist, resume, risk, save, stand, suggest, tolerate, understand
Look at these examples:

She is considering having a holiday. (She is considering a new job.)

I can't help falling in love with you. (I can’t help myself.)
I can't stand not seeing you. (I can’t stand the smell.)

Some verbs can be followed by the gerund form or the infinitive form without a big
change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start

I like to play tennis.

I like playing tennis.
It started to rain.
It started raining.


5.2.7
Use of nouns vs use of gerunds
In a sentence, if there is a place for a noun, and a noun can be used, then the
noun should be used instead of the gerund. Eg.


I am fond of study / not: I am fond of studying
Flush the toilet after use / not: Flush the toilet after using
4
5.3 Uses of Infinitives
5.3.1 Infinitive as noun (subject):


To wait seemed foolish when decisive action was required. (subject)
To err is human. (subject)
5.3.2 Infinitive as noun (direct object):


Everyone wanted to go. (direct object)
Ladies like to shop. (direct object)
5.3.3 Infinitive as subject complement (noun, pronoun, or adjective):


His ambition is to fly. (subject complement)
John’s idea of relaxation is to read. (subject complement)
5.3.4 Infinitive as adjective:


He lacked the strength to resist. (adjective)
Show me the page to read. (adjective)
5.3.5 Infinitive as adverb:
When infinitives are used as adverbs, they modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs,
and they answer questions like why? how? or to what extent?


We must study to learn. (adverb)
You live to eat. (adverb)
5.3.6 Infinitive Phrase
An Infinitive phrase is a group of words consisting of an infinitive + the modifier(s)
and/or noun(s), pronoun(s), or noun phrase(s) that function as the subject(s), direct
object(s), indirect object(s), or complement(s) of the action or state expressed in the
infinitive, such as:
5.3.6.1 Infinitive phrase as noun (subject):
5

To refuse the request seemed selfish.
〔To refuse (infinitive) the request (direct object of the infinitive) is the
infinitive phrase functioning as the noun in the subject position of the sentence〕.

To provide the best service is our goal.
〔To provide (infinitive) the best service (direct object of the infinitive) is the
infinitive phrase functioning as the noun in the subject position of the sentence〕.
5.3.6.2 Infinitive phrase as noun (direct object):

We intended to leave early.
〔to leave (infinitive) early (adverb) is the infinitive phrase functioning as the
direct object of the verb intended〕.

Phil agreed to give me a ride.
〔to give (infinitive) me (indirect object of action expressed in infinitive) a ride
(direct object of action expressed in infinitive) is the infinitive phrase
functioning as the direct object of the verb agreed〕.
5.3.6.3
Infinitive phrase as subject complement (noun, pronoun or adjective):

Jimmy’s goal is to make money.
〔to make (infinitive) money (direct object of action expressed in infinitive) is
the infinitive phrase functioning as subject complement of Jimmy’s goal〕.

My last concern is to be on good terms with them.
〔to be (infinitive) on good terms with them (prepositional phrase modifying
the infinitive) is the infinitive phrase functioning as subject compliment of My last
concern〕.
5.3.6.4
Infinitive phrase as adjective:

I have a paper to write before class.
〔to write (infinitive) before class (prepositional phrase as adverb) is the
infinitive phrase functioning as the adjective modifying the noun paper〕.

The step to achieve the best result may not be easy to follow.
〔to achieve (infinitive) the best result (direct object of the infinitive) is the
infinitive phrase functioning as the adjective modifying the noun step〕.
6
5.3.6.5 Infinitive phrase as adverb:
When infinitives or infinitive phrases are used as adverbs, they modify verbs,
adjectives or other adverbs, and they answer questions like why? how? or to
what extent?

To catch fish, use a net.
〔To catch (infinitive) fish (direct object of the infinitive) is the infinitive phrase
functioning as the adverb modifying the verb use〕.

You are right to complain to the boss.
〔to complain (infinitive) to the boss (prepositional phrase as the indirect object
of the infinitive) is the infinitive phrase functioning as the adverb modifying the
adjective right〕.

He ran too slowly to win the race.
〔to win (infinitive) the race (direct object of the infinitive) is the infinitive
phrase functioning as the adverb modifying the adverb slowly〕.
5.3.7 Infinitives after Certain Verbs
We sometimes use one verb after another verb. In such cases, the second verb will have
to change form, to either the infinitive form or the gerund form. For example:


I want to eat.
I dislike eating.
Whether the second verb should be in infinitive or gerund depends on the first verb.
Here is a list of verbs that are usually followed by a verb in infinitive form:
afford, agree, aim, advise, appear, arrange, ask, attempt, be dying, beg, can’t
wait, can’t afford, choose, claim, come, dare, decide, demand, deserve, expect,
fail, get, grow, guarantee, happen, hasten, have, help, hesitate, hope, learn, long,
manage, neglect, offer, omit, ought, plan, prepare, pretend, need, promise, prove,
refuse, seek, seem, swear, tell, tend, threaten, train, turn out, undertake, urge,
used, wait, want, wish
Look at these examples:


The plane seemed to be losing height.
We happened to meet in the street.
7

The debate turned out to be very interesting.
Some verbs can be followed by the gerund form or the infinitive form without a big
change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start




I like to play tennis.
I like playing tennis.
It started to rain.
It started raining.
5.3.8 Infinitives and Prepositional Phrases
Be sure not to confuse an infinitive—a verbal consisting of “to + verb”—with a
prepositional phrase beginning with to, which consists of “to + noun” or “to +
pronoun” and any modifiers.


5.4
Infinitives: to fly, to draw, to become, to enter, to stand, to catch, to belong
Prepositional Phrases: to him, to the committee, to my house, to the mountains,
to us, to this address.
To do or to doing?
5.4.1 “To” can be part of a to-infinitive, or it can be a preposition. If it is a
preposition, what follows it must be either a gerund or a noun or a noun phrase.


I hope to see you soon. (hope + to-infinitive)
I look forward to seeing you soon. (look forward to + gerund)
How do we know when the “to” is part of a to-infinitive or a preposition? There are
usually 2 ways to distinguish the use of “to”:
5.4.1.1 See if you can replace the verbal after “to” with a noun. If you can, then
the “to” would be a preposition, and you should use a gerund after it. Eg.

I look forward to next weekend.
5.4.1.2
Eg.
The “to” in to-infinitive is independent of the word(s) that come before it.
8


I tried to do it.
I wanted to go.
On the other hand, the “to” used as a preposition is part of a fixed expression or
phrase (固定詞語) with the word(s) that come before it and therefore is not
independent of the word(s). Examples of these phrases include:


























I've grown accustomed to the tune that he whistles every night.
Aristotle: “We have become accustomed to thinking of all communicative
situations as rhetorical.”
In addition to the new iPhone, Apple could be announcing a new iPad.
In addition to developing digital photos, we also offer free photo sharing online.
Why some workers will never admit to mistakes?
I admit to feeling a bit ill.
I am close to you.
Jack is close to getting film funding for his Eyeborg project.
Why would anyone falsely confess to a crime they didn't commit?
Lawyer: Garridos confess to kidnapping.
She had to face up to the fact that she was not very good after all.
Spaniards have to face up to having to work for longer in the recession.
I'll get round to that job in an hour.
Jane will get round to doing it eventually.
I look forward to the meeting tomorrow.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Some countries in European Union object to German-French debt plan in early
2011.
I didn’t object to coming here.
I am opposed to wars in general.
Vinton was opposed to making this subject a special order.
Do you prefer apples to oranges?
I prefer doing this to doing that.
I think I was resigned to the idea that it would never really happen.
Many students are resigned to doing low paid work after university to build their
employability.
Why do countries resort to war to solve problems?
Is this what they have to resort to doing when they are broke?
9








Thousands take to Yemen's streets for new 'Day of Rage' in early 2011.
My students will take to seeing results from sending out good letters.
The neighbors are used to the corner store for their groceries.
Dentists are used to treating cavities and tooth aches.
You’ll get used to it in no time.
How do you get used to working night shift?
The school is committed to excellence.
The company is committed to providing the highest quality service to clients.
5.4.1.2.1
There are exceptions to this rule, though. The verb that follows the “to”
in phrases like in order to, so as to, in a position to, used to, etc., is in the original
form. Eg:




In order to pass the exam, he studied even harder.
We took off our shoes so as to avoid scratching the newly finished floors.
Being in a position to help others overcome their fears and anxieties.
I used to come here a lot but not anymore.
5.4.1.2.2 Also, there are some fixed expressions that end with a “to,” and
following which one can use either an original verb form, or a gerund. Eg:




He is committed to help his students.
He is committed to helping his students.
Dentists are used to treat cavities and tooth aches.
Dentists are used to treating cavities and tooth aches.
5.4.1.2.3 And in some cases, some words that appear together may look like a
fixed expression but are actually not. Eg:


How long will it take to see the results of jogging? (not a phrase)
My students will take to seeing results from sending out good letters. (a phrase)
(see also 2.2.1.3 3 Semi-modal Verbs)
5.5 Uses of Participles
A present participle is a verbal ending in –ing. A past participle is a verbal ending in
-ed, -en, -d, -t, or –n. A participial phrase is a group of words consisting of a participle
10
+ modifier(s), object(s), and/or complement(s). A participle or a participial phrase
functions as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun. Eg.




The crying baby had a wet diaper.
(present participle crying functions as an adjective modifying the subject baby.)
Shaken, he walked away from the wrecked car.
(past participle Shaken functions as an adjective modifying the subject he; past
participle wrecked functions as an adjective modifying the noun car.)
The burning log fell off the fire.
(present participle burning functions as an adjective modifying the subject log.)
Smiling, she hugged the panting dog.
(present participle Smiling functions as an adjective modifying the subject she;
present participle panting functions as an adjective modifying the direct object
dog.)




Removing his coat, Fitzgerald rushed to the bank of the river.
(participial phrase Removing his coat functions as an adjective modifying the
subject Fitzgerald; his coat is the direct object of action expressed in participle.)
Peggy noticed her cousin walking along the shoreline.
(participial phrase walking along the shoreline functions as an adjective
modifying the noun cousin; along the shoreline is the prepositional phrase used
as an adverb, modifying the present participle walking.)
Children introduced to music early develop strong intellectual skills.
(participial phrase introduced to music early functions as an adjective modifying
children; here, introduced (to) is the past participle; music is the direct object of
action expressed in participle; and early is the adverb modifying the verbal
introduced.)
Having been a gymnast, Mary knew the importance of exercise.
(participial phrase Having been a gymnast functions as an adjective modifying
the subject Mary; Having been is present participle in perfect form; a gymnast is
the subject complement for Mary, via the state of being expressed in participle.)
11