MEETING 17

GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES: PART 1

A. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
In this meeting, the students will learn about gerunds and infinitives. By the end of the
course, the students are expected to be able to:
1.1.Understand what a gerund is
1.2.Use gerunds as the objects of prepositions
1.3.Understand common verbs followed by gerunds
1.4.Use GO + gerunds

B. MATERIAL DESCRIPTION
1.1.Introduction to gerunds
A gerund is the –ing form of a verb that used as a noun. It means that a gerund is used
in the same ways as a noun. As we know that a noun is used as a subject or as an object.
Look at the following examples:
a. Gerund as a subject
Example:
- Watching the movies is my hobby.
WATCHING is a gerund which is used as a subject.
- Playing tennis is fun.
PLAYING is a gerund which is used as a subject.
- Learning English grammar is really important.
LEARNING is a gerund which is used as a subject.

b. Gerund as an object
Example:
- We enjoyed playing tennis.
PLAYING is a gerund which is used as the object of the verb ENJOY
 c. Gerund as an object of preposition
Example:
- He is excited about playing tennis.
- PLAYING is a gerund which is used as the object of the preposition
ABOUT.

1.2.Using gerunds as the objects of prepositions

As mentioned above that a gerund is frequently used as the object of a preposition.
There are common preposition combinations followed by gerunds, as in the following
table:
Be excited about Have an excuse for Be interested in Take care of

Be worried about Have a reason for Participate in Be tired of

Complain about/of Be responsible for Succeed in Insist on

Dream about/of Thank for Be accused of Be accustomed to

Talk about/of Keep (someone) Be capable of In addition to

from
Think about/of Prevent (someone) For the purpose of Be committed to
from
Apologize for Prohibit (someone) Be guilty for Be devoted to
from
Blame (someone) Stop (someone) Instead of Look forward to
for from
Forgive (someone) Believe in Take advantage of Object to
for
Be opposed to Be used to Be in charge of
 Example 1:
- We talked about going to Canada for our vacation.

In the example above, ABOUT is a preposition, so a gerund follows.

Example 2:

- We talked about NOT going to Canada for our vacation.

In example above when we use negative form of a gerund, NOT comes before a
gerund.

1.3.Common verbs followed by gerunds

Gerunds are also used as the object of the verb.
Example
a. My friend enjoys working here. (CORRECT)
b. My friend enjoys to work here. (INCORRECT)
As we know that ENJOY is a verb which is followed by a gerund, so a gerund
follows it as in example (a) above. The sentence is incorrect if ENJOY is followed
by an infinitive, as in example (b).

There are several common verbs which are followed by gerunds, as in the following
table:
Enjoy Finish Put off Discuss

Appreciate Get through Delay Mentioned

Mind Stop* Keep Suggest

Quit Avoid Keep on

Give up Postpone Consider

 Note: The word with the asterisk can be followed by a gerund or an infinitive.

1.4.GO + Gerund
GO is followed by gerunds in certain idiomatic expressions to express, for the most
part, recreational activities. Look at the following examples:
a. I want to go shopping.
b. We went fishing yesterday.
c. They will go jogging tomorrow.

Here is the table the common GO + gerund expressions

Go birdwatching Go fishing Go sailing Go skinnydipping

Go boating Go hiking Go shopping Go sledding

Go bowling Go hunting Go sightseeing Go snorkeling

Go camping Go jogging Go skating Go swimming

Go canoeing/ Go mountain Go skateboarding Go tobogganing

kayaking climbing

Go dancing Go running Go skiing Go window

shopping

C. EXERCISES
1.1.Using gerunds as the objects of prepositions.
Instructions: Complete the sentences by using correct prepositions and the words
in parentheses.
Example:
Joe went to bed instead …………………………………….. (finish).
Answer:
Joe went to bed instead of finishing his work.
 Remember that the preposition of INSIST is OF.

1. I thanked my friend ………………………………………….. (lend)

2. I am excited ………………………………………….. (go)
3. I am not accustomed ………………………………………….. (live)
4. Mark didn’t feel good. He complained …………………………………………..
(have)
5. I don’t blame you ………………………………………….. (want, not)
6. I have a good reason ………………………………………….. (be)
7. Nothing can stop me ………………………………………….. (go)
8. The thief was guilty ………………………………………….. (steal)
9. Please forgive me ………………………………………….. (invite, not)
10. I apologize to my friends ………………………………………….. (be)

1.2.Verbs followed by gerunds

Instructions: Create sentences from the given words. Use any tense and subject.
Example:
Enjoy + read newspaper
Answer:
I enjoy reading newspaper every morning while I am having a cup of tea.

1. Enjoy + watch TV
…………………………………………………………………………………….
2. Quit + eat desserts
…………………………………………………………………………………….
3. Finish + eat dinner
…………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Delay + leave on vacation
…………………………………………………………………………………….
5. Keep + work
…………………………………………………………………………………….
6. Mention + go to a concert
…………………………………………………………………………………….
7. Talk about + go to a movie
…………………………………………………………………………………….
8. Consider + get a job
…………………………………………………………………………………….
9. Avoid + answer my question
…………………………………………………………………………………….
10. Postpone + do my homework
…………………………………………………………………………………….