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Gerunds and Infinitives
Not an easy choice!
Before we start on this subject
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What are the six forms of the English
verb?
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Base
Past
Infinitive
‘s’ form
Present Perfect (or ‘ing’ form)
Past Perfect
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Gerunds and Infinitives are
Verbals
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Verbals have some
of the characteristics
of verbs.
Participle phrases,
Gerunds and
Infinitives are all
verbals.
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Verbs vary as to
person and number.
Verbals do not vary
as to person and
number.
What is a participle phrase?
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Participle phrases are verbal adjectives.
They are (Surprise!) made from the
Present and Past Participle forms of the
verb.
Present Particple Verbs alsways end in
‘ing’.
Examples of Present
Participle Phrases
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Active voice
Knowing him well,
we asked for a ride.
Having elected him
mayor, his friends
felt they should be
rewarded.
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Passive voice
Mr. Portly, being
known as a wealthy
man, can easily borrow
money.
Which is a present
perfect participle?
Examples of Past
Participle Phrases
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There is only a
passive form.
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Somewhat
embarrassed by
this remark, Norris
smiled and made an
awkward bow.
Gerunds
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The Gerund is a
verbal noun.
It is made from the
‘ing’ form of the
verb.
The perfect forms
use havING plus the
past participle.
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Active Examples:
Seeing is believing.
Having read the
book is enough; I
don’t need to see
the movie.
Gerunds can be in
the Passive voice also.
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Examples:
Doctors often have
the experience of
being called in the
middle of the night.
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His having been
fined twice, has
caused him to drive
more slowly.
Verbs that are always followed
by a gerund
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This information
is on Page 180 of
‘Technically
Speaking’
Admit, anticipate,
appreciate, avoid,
consider
Delay, deny, detest,
dislike, dread
Enjoy, finish, involve
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Mind, miss, postpone,
regret, resent, resist,
risk
Fancy (imagine)
Keep (continue)
Remember (recall)
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Stop (cease)
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Expressions that are always followed
by a gerund
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Look forward to
Can’t help
Can’t stand
It’s no use
It’s worth
To be used to
Spelling rules for gerunds and
participles
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Rule 1: If a verb ends with a consonant
+ single vowel + consonant
combination, double the final consonant
before adding ‘ing’.
Example: stopping
Spelling rules for gerunds and
participles
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Rule 2: If a verb ends with a consonant
+ double vowel + consonant
combination, do NOT double the final
consonant before adding ‘ing’.
Example: lean > leaning
Spelling rules for gerunds and
participles
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Rule 3: If a one-syllable verb ends with
double consonants, do NOT double the
final consonant before adding ‘ing’.
Example: risk > risking
Spelling rules for gerunds and
participles
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Rule 4: If a verb ends with the letter ‘e’,
drop it before adding ‘ing’.
Example: write > writing
Spelling rules for gerunds and
participles
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Rule 5: If a two-syllable verb end with a
stressed syllable, double the final
consonant before adding ‘ing’.
Example: begin > beginning
Spelling rules for gerunds and
participles
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Rule 6: If a two-syllable verb begins with
a stressed syllable, do not double the
final consonant before adding ‘ing’.
Example: gather > gathering
Spelling rules for gerunds and
participles
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Rule 7: If a verb ends with ‘y’, simply
add ‘ing’ to the verb.
Example: fly > flying
Infinitives are verbals too!
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The infinitive is a verbal which can
function as a noun, an adjective or an
adverb.
The infinitive starts with the word ‘to’.
Usage frequently defines whether to
use a gerund or an infinitive. Use the
chart on Page 180 as a guide.
Examples of infinitives
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Active forms
To err is human.
He is thought to
have left the
country.
What are the
functions of each of
these infinitives?
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Passive forms
To be forgiven may
be divine.
Her voice is said to
have been praised
in all the capitals of
Europe.
A short word on count and
non-count nouns
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There are a number of nouns in English
that do not take an ‘s’ because they are
considered non-countable.
Some of these words can take an ‘s’ in
French.
Common non-count nouns
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Furniture
Research
Information
Work
Homework
Advice
Rice
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Can you name any
others?
Modifying count and
non-count nouns
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Count nouns
Many + plural
More + plural
Few + plural
Some, a lot of
– The noun is plural
Note: count nouns are
never modified by ‘less’
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Non-count nouns
More + singular
Less + singular
Some, a lot of
– The noun stays
singular
Note: non-count nouns
are never modified by
‘many’ or ‘few’
On-line Exercise
Please do the on-line exercise
linked to this information!