Some English verbs add others to them as an object. Below are those of them that form a construction with an infinitive.

Table: Verbs in Verb + TO

I want to live in the USA. I want to live in the USA.
We need to buy some food. We need to buy some food.
Randall refused to meet us. Randall refused to meet us.
I forgot to take my key when I went out. I forgot to take the key when I left.
My sister is learning to swim. My sister is learning to swim.
I promised to pass the exam but I couldn’t. I promised to pass the exam, but I couldn't.

2

Gerund is the impersonal form of the verb formed by adding the ending -ing to it (just like Present Participle). The following verbs form a gerund construction:

Table: Verbs in Verb + -ING

Never put them with an infinitive, as in Russian. This is grammatically incorrect.

I enjoy traveling ( Not properly: I enjoy to travel). I like to travel.
I don’t mind walking. I don't mind walking.
Has it stopped raining? Is the rain over?
Linda suggested going to the beach. Linda offered to go to the beach.

In its meaning, a gerund is very close to a noun. If translated literally, then sentences in English will sound something like this:

Linda suggested going to the beach. Linda offered to go to the beach.

3

Some verbs can be combined with both an infinitive and a gerund. There is practically no difference between these forms.

Table: Verbs in Verb + TO or Verb + -ING

I like playing video games (= I like to play video games). I enjoy playing video games.
We prefer traveling by air (= We prefer to travel by air). We prefer to travel by plane.
Helen loves singing (= Helen loves to sing). Helen loves to sing.
I hate being late (= I hate to be late). I hate being late.
The dog started barking (= The dog started to bark). The dog began to bark.

4

Expressions would like, would prefer, would love and would hate in English are used exclusively with the infinitive.

Rachel would like to talk to you ( Not properly: would like talking). Rachel would like to talk to you.
I’d love to go to France. I would love to go to France.
I'd prefer to stay here. I would rather stay here.
I would hate to be a doctor. I would hate to become a doctor.

The gerund and infinitive in English is a disliked topic for many. The complexity of use, confusion with translation and correct spelling of sentences are perplexing, forcing us to turn over again and again through textbooks with grammatical rules. The catch is that sometimes the gerund and the infinitive play the same role, as well as the subject or object of the verb. Are you even more confused? 🙂

We invite you to consider the basic rules regarding these two interesting forms of the verb, which distinguish their example sentences, and also independently compose sentences with a gerund and an infinitive.

Gerund in English

Gerund is a verb with –ing ending and noun peculiarities. The main question, to which he answers - what?, Denoting a process: reading - reading, writing - writing, etc.

It's simple, right? Not really! It is noteworthy that not all words with the ending -ing are gerunds:

• the word that answers the questions what? what is he doing? - this is a participle denoting a sign of an object: crying baby - a crying child, dancing girl - a dancing girl;
• the gerund form does not have an article and a plural form, so words ending in –ing with an article and a certain number denote an object or result of an action: her painting is rather good - her drawings are very good;
• if the word with –ing answers the questions what did you do? What did you do? - this is part of the predicate: he called while I was working in the garden - he called while I was working in the garden.

Gerund : rules of use

We have already found out that the gerund is characterized both as a noun and as a verb. Consider in what cases it is used:

1. If an additional action occurs at the same time with the process expressed by the verb in personal form: I am surprised at hearing this - I am surprised to hear it.
2. When the action takes place in the future: we think of going there in the summer - we think of going there in the summer.
3. If the process does not have a specific time limit: seeing is believing - to see - means to believe.
4. If one action precedes another that expresses a predicate verb: I don’t remember seeing them before - I don’t remember seeing them before.
5. When negated, the particle not: not coming in time is added to the gerund - did not come on time.

Infinitive in english

An infinitive is an impersonal and innumerable verb that names an action and answers questions such as what to do? what to do ?: to ask - ask, to answer - answer, etc.

The use of the infinitive in English:

1. The infinitive form is used if the expressed action takes place at the same time as the verb expresses, or if the action follows it in tense: it will be very interesting to read these books - it will be interesting to read these books.
2. With verbs representing intentions, hopes and desires, as well as the future regarding the action expressed by the predicate verb: I hope to see you on Monday - hope to see you on Monday.
3. If we are talking about a long process, simultaneous with that which is expressed by the predicate verb: I knew him to be writing an article - I knew that he was writing an article.
4. When describing what precedes the action of the predicate verb, and what happened over time: I know him to have been writing this article for 2 weeks - I know that he wrote this article for 2 weeks.
5. With modal verbs can, could, must, may, will, might shall, would, should, ought, could in the affirmative, as well as after was and were, the infinitive determines the imperfection of the action: you should have stayed at home - you should have stayed at home ...

Interestingly, in the infinitive with modal verbs, the particle to is not used: she can dance - she can dance (can dance), you should see a doctor - you should go to the doctor.

Try to figure out the correct way to use the word. Exercises for gerunds and infinitives in English:

1. It's late. I have to go / going now.
2. I enjoy dancing / to dance.
3. I am looking forward go / to going to holiday.
4. Don’t forget to send / sending postcard from Italy.
5. What is Ann doing? She must be writing / write a letter.
6. This letter seems to be written / was written in pencil.
7. David must have been reading / to read that book since last week.
8. She is too lazy to get / getting up early.
9. Can't speaking / speak German and Italian.
10. I love to ski / skiing.

The topic of gerund and infinitive in English is quite extensive. Speaking practice is wonderful, but remember: without the foundations of grammar, speaking English correctly will not be easy, and writing will be even more difficult. Come study with us at the NES! 🙂

Answers: 1. to go 2. dancing 3. to going 4. to send 5. writing 6. to be written 7. have been reading 8. to get 9. speak 10. both are acceptable

One of the difficulties of the English language is that some of the verbs are used with a gerund ( gerund ), and the other part with the synth ( infinitive ). But first, a little about what a gerund is and how it is formed. There is no such part of speech in Russian. Gerund is a verb form that functions like a noun. He expresses action as an object, it is sometimes called a verbal noun.

In English, this form is formed by adding -ing endings to verbs, for example play - playing, sleep - sleeping, think - thinking... The infinitive is a verb with a particle to: to play, to sleep, to think. This particle to sometimes it can be omitted.

When is gerund used? (verb + ing)

After the verbs:

I like living in London (I like living in London)
I love going out with my friends (I love hanging out with friends)
She enjoys singing (she enjoys singing)
I dislike washing dishes (I do not like Wash the dishes)
I hate studying economy (I hate teaching economics)
I don’t mind opening the window (I don't mind opening a window)
I can’t stand getting up early in the morning (can't stand getting up early in the morning)

After certain verbs such as:

I imagine seeing a new planet (I imagine I see a new planet)
They denied going out that evening (they denied going out that evening)
He tried to avoid doing anything wrong (he tried not to do anything wrong)
You keep on waiting for me (you keep waiting for me)
Do you consider studying more grammar? (are you thinking of learning more grammar?)

After prepositions:

After having read the letter she felt sad (after reading the letter, she felt sad)
Before going out, please wash your face (before you go out, wash your face)
Are you interested in listening English podcasts? (are you interested in listening to English podcasts?)
Mia went to work instead of staying home and taking the medicine (Mia went to work instead of staying home and taking medication)
Their uncle is looking forward to seeing us for dinner tonight (their uncle is looking forward to dinner tonight)
Our mom is good at cooking turky. (Our mom cooks turkey well)

After certain expressions:

It is no use arguing, everyone has his own opinion. (It's useless to argue, everyone has their own opinion.)
i t’s no good gossiping about people who are not present here (it is not good to gossip about people who are not here)
There is no point in reading these dull books (there is no point in reading these boring books)

When is the infinitive used? (to + verb)

After verbs that refer to future events. They can be followed by a verb + to / verb + object + to object:

We expect anybody to come (we expect someone to come)
They asked us to give them that book (they asked us to give them that book)
I intend to study history tonight (I intend to teach history tonight)
Would you prefer to stay home? (do you prefer to stay at home?)
Do you want me to play the piano? (do you want me to play the piano?)

After verbs such as:

We decided to give more information (we decided to give more information)
My father needs to give up smoking (my dad needs to quit smoking)
It helped to prevent more damages (this helped prevent more damage)
My son chose to go to Spain for holidays (my son chose to go to Spain for the holidays)

After adjectives:

After the words:

The subject was too difficult to uncover its meaning (the topic was too complex to reveal its meaning)
It was too difficult to understand what they said (it was too hard to understand what they said)
It was interesting enough to see that movie (it was quite interesting to watch this movie)

After dare, you can use the infinitive with or without to

I wouldn’t dare disturb you read your newspaper / I wouldn’t dare to disturb you read the newspaper (I would not dare to stop you from reading the newspaper)

Some verbs can accompany both a gerund and an infinitive. In this case, two options are possible: without changing the meaning of the expression and with a change.

Gerund or infinitive after

After these verbs, you can use both the gerund and the infinitive, the meaning of the expression does not change. The only thing to consider is that usually a gerund is not used after a verb with an ing ending, for example: It is starting to rain (do not say: it is starting raining)

Gerund or infinitive after

These verbs form a special group because they radically change the meaning of the whole expression, depending on whether the gerund or infinitive follows them.

Remember, forget

If the verb is followed by a gerund, then the action that describes the gerund was performed first.
If the verb is followed by an infinitive, then it is a consequence.
This can be best understood with examples:

John forgot sending an email to his lawyer, so he was surprised when the lawyer called him - John forgot that he sent an email to his lawyer, so he was surprised when the lawyer called him.
(Here, John first sent an email to his lawyer, and then he forgot that he did it, so he was surprised by the lawyer's call. The most important thing to understand here is email was sent lawyer)

John forgot to send an email to his lawyer, so the lawyer did not know the latest facts - John forgot to send an email to his lawyer, so the lawyer did not know the latest facts.

(It follows from this expression that email was not sent lawyer)

Sarah remembers telling her husband to buy some milk, but he did not buy it, so she was angry - Sarah remembers that she told her husband to buy some milk, but he didn’t buy it, and she was angry.

Sarah remembers to tell her husband to buy some milk, because he likes adding it to his coffee - Sarah remembers telling her husband to buy milk, because he likes adding milk to coffee.

We regret to inform you that your esse has been unsuccessful - we regret to inform you that your essay has not passed.

Do they regret not renting a car in Spain? - Do they regret not renting a car in Spain?

Good luck to everyone in learning English!

Introduced Infinitive or -ing with various verbs in English with examples.

In the previous topics, some verbs were considered, after which a gerund or infinitive is used, and this topic will also show a number of verbs that, when used, require observance of certain rules.

Explore the following verbs and expressions:

to like - to love, to like
to mind - to object
to dislike - not to love, to dislike
to hate - to hate
to love - to love
to enjoy - to enjoy (from smth.), to enjoy
can’t stand - do not stand, do not stand
can’t bear - do not endure, do not tolerate

If these verbs are followed by another verb, then it must be used with the ending -ing.

Study examples with these verbs.

I like riding a bicycle - I like to ride a bicycle.
We don’t mind staying here - We don’t mind staying here.
My daughter hates writing letters - My daughter hates writing letters.
I enjoy visiting museums - I love going to museums.
I can’t stand students interrupting me - I can’t stand students interrupting me.
Why do you dislike reading novels? - Why don't you like reading novels?

It should be said separately about the expression can’t bear and the verb to love.
After love and can’t bear, we can use infinitive with to or -ing.

For example:
I love going to the cinema = I love to go to the cinema - I love going to the cinema.
I can’t bear playing football = I can’t bear to play football - I hate playing football.

We can also shoot like with to or -ing infinitive.
For example, we can say:

I like playing guitar = I like to play guitar - I like playing guitar.
However, there is a slight difference to remember between I like doing and I like to do.
If like doing is used, then like has the meaning of enjoy.
If like is not used in the meaning of enjoy, then like to do is used. In this case, it is implied that it is necessary to do something or is correct.

To better understand this difference, check out a few examples.
I like learning languages ​​(I enjoy it) - I like learning languages.
I like to learn languages ​​(this doesn’t mean I enjoy it) - I like learning languages ​​(that doesn’t mean I like doing it, but I suppose I need to do it).

Consider the difference between like and would like.
The combination would like is the polite form of want.
After would like, we use the infinitive with to.

Compare:
I like listening to music - I like listening to music.
I would like to listen to music - I would like to listen to music.

We continue our conversation about endings in English. Today on the agenda is everything you wanted to know about the ending - ing.

The ending - ing - a very important morpheme in the word formation of the English language. This ending is well known to English learners. Let's take a closer look at the ending - ing in English, how it helps to form new words, how it behaves in English grammar, and much more. Those who have already got their hands on in English will simply repeat the rules one more time. It will be interesting and useful for beginners to learn something new.

It is worth recalling, friends, that this ending is involved in the formation of long tenses of English verbs, that is, Continuous.

• Present Continuous: She is water ing the flowers now — Shewateringflowersnow.
• Jim was drink ing coffee at 7 o'clock yesterday — Jimyesterdayinsevenhoursdrankcoffee.
• Future Continuous: They will be play ing tennis from 4 till 6 tomorrow — They arewill beplayintennistomorrowwith4 to 6.
• Future-in-the-Past Continuous: She said that we would be work ing the whole day — Shesaid, whatwewe willworkwholeday.
• Present Perfect Continuous: He has been read ing since 3 o'clock — He is reading with three hours.
• Past Perfect Continuous: They had been walk ing for an hour when they saw the town — They are walked already hour, when saw city.
• Future Perfect Continuous: The kids will have been sleep ing since afternoon when the nurse comes — Toddlers There will be sleep with noon, when will come nanny.

In addition to the above advantages of this ending, it should be recalled that it forms the so-called fourth form of irregular verbs. You, of course, remember her:

• To see - saw - seen - see ing

Please note that verbs, using the ending - ing, in translation into Russian, they acquire the meaning of imperfect verbs, that is, not a completed action, but an action that still lasts.

-Ing ending and other parts of speech

You probably already guessed that the ending - ing participates not only in the formation of verb tenses, but helps to form forms of other parts of speech in English, such as:

• Gerund: Sue likes be ing praised — Sue loves to be praised.
• Participle: The talk ing girl is my sister — Talkinggirl- mysister.
• Adjective: An amus ing program — funnybroadcast... An interest ing question - interestingquestion

We read and pronounce -ing correctly!

Friends, the rules for reading this ending with words are as easy as shelling pears! Firstly, there is only one rule, and secondly:

The ending - ing always pronounced like nasal [- IN] in which the sound [g] should not be heard.

That's all, dear readers! That's all you need to know about how to read or pronounce such words correctly. In a hurry or out of habit, we often say not, but. However, this is wrong. Follow the correct pronunciation, friends, and you will not be distinguished from a native Englishman.

Well, that's all we wanted to tell you about the ending - ing... Learn English with fun and enjoyment, then success is sure to await you!