Download Gerund Infinitive Objects

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