Gerunds-and-Infinitives - US Fun Grammar

Fun Grammar Lessons
Gerunds & Infinitives

1 Grammar Notes 2
2 Gerunds 8
3 Infinitives 9
4 Multiple-Choice 10
5 Rules 11
6 Fill in the Blanks 12
7 Class Survey 13
8 Writing 14
9 Quiz 15
A Answer Key 16
B Verb Cards 18
Copyright 2017, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. (VERSION 1.0) 1
Fun Grammar Lessons
1 Grammar Notes
A. Form
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb.
• I like swimming.
• I don’t like playing tennis.
An infinitive is to + the base form of a verb.

• I like to swim.
• I don’t like to play tennis.
B. Function
Gerunds and infinitives combine the action meaning
of a verb with the grammatical function of a noun.
They act as nouns (subjects and objects) in a sentence.
• Speaking in front of a crowd can be scary. (subject position)

• Do you want to come to the beach with us? (object position)
Fun Grammar Lessons
1 Grammar Notes cont.

C. Gerund or Infinitive?
Some sentence positions take only a gerund or only
an infinitive, but there is one position (following a verb)
where the decision depends on the main verb.
Gerunds
Position Pattern Notes Examples
Gerunds are common in the • S

hopping is my
subject of subject position. While an favorite hobby.
a sentence S =Ger infinitive is also possible, it is • W
orking out has really
very formal and not common. improved my health.
Gerunds are also common • She thought about

after a preposition. This rule calling him but decided
following a she wouldn’t.
Prep + Ger applies to all prepositions,
preposition
including ones that are part • They are planning on
of phrasal verbs. going to the party tonight.
This is the one position where

both gerunds and infinitives
are used. It all depends on the • He enjoys learning
main verb. Some common about gerunds.
object
V + Ger verbs that are followed by • My teacher suggested
of a verb
a gerund are advise, avoid, studying for the
enjoy, finish, practice, quit, and upcoming quiz.
suggest. See the list on page 7
for more of these verbs.
Fun Grammar Lessons

C. Gerund or Infinitive? cont.
Infinitives
Position Pattern Notes Examples
Infinitives are common after

an adjective. Though it is • It is nice to meet you.
following sometimes possible to use • She mentioned that it was
Adj + Inf
an adjective a gerund in this position, dangerous to stand near
it is more common to use that machine.
an infinitive.
If the verb has a noun • You asked me to call you.

following
or pronoun object, it is
a noun N + Inf • The doctor advised Mark
almost always followed
or pronoun to eat more vegetables.
by an infinitive.
This is the one position

where both gerunds and
infinitives are commonly • They want to get their
used. The choice of which tests back as soon
object to use depends on the main as possible.
V + Inf
of a verb verb. Some common ones • The students are
are ask, choose, decide, get, planning to have
need, plan, promise, and want. a party this Friday.
See the list on page 7 for
more of these verbs.
Fun Grammar Lessons

D. Notes
1 2
A verb can be in any tense. Progressive tenses Go is often used to describe an activity
use the -ing form, so it is possible to see two -ing in English. No matter the tense used,
forms side by side (progressive verb + gerund). go is followed by a gerund.
• My parents are quitting smoking next Friday. • She went golfing last weekend.
• Michelle was practicing juggling • Do you want to go skiing today?
five oranges when I saw her. • We are going sailing next weekend.
3 4
The N + Inf rule is very Because both gerunds and infinitives keep their verb meanings
handy. For example, the (even though they function as nouns), they too can have objects.
verb “advise” normally takes It’s common to see a sentence with two or more objects
a gerund, as in “The doctor when gerunds or infinitives are used. For example:
advised eating more
• I enjoy studying English.
vegetables.” But when
“Studying” is the direct object of “enjoy”
there is a noun object, as in
and “English” is the direct object of “studying.”
“The doctor advised Mark
to eat more vegetables,” • My boss asked me to help her.
the infinitive must be used. “Me” is the direct object of “asked,” “to help” is also the direct
The noun rule is more object of “asked,” and “her” is the direct object of “to help.”
important than the verb rule!
Fun Grammar Lessons

D. Notes cont. E. Quick Guide
Gerunds
5
Some verbs take either a gerund or an infinitive with no change S =Ger
in meaning. Some common verbs are like, love, and hate.
See the list on page 7 for more of these verbs.
Prep + Ger
• I love eating pasta. V + Ger

• I love to eat pasta.
Infinitives
6 Adj + Inf
Can gerunds and infinitives be negative? Yes! There are four N + Inf
ways to form negative sentences with gerunds and infinitives.
V + Inf
1. not + main verb + gerund or infinitive
• She doesn’t like studying after school.
• He didn’t want to do his homework.
2. main verb + not + infinitive

• They decided not to go to the game.
• We agreed not to text in class.
3. main verb + to + not + base form (less common)

• They decided to not go to the game.
• We agreed to not text in class.
4. main verb + not + gerund (not common)

• She advised not going out in the storm.
• He considered not applying for the job.
Fun Grammar Lessons

F. Verb Lists
Common Verbs Followed by a Gerund
• admit • consider • finish • miss

• advise • deny • imagine • practice
• appreciate • discuss • keep • quit
• avoid • dislike • mention • recommend
• complete • enjoy • mind • suggest
Common Verbs Followed by an Infinitive
• afford • expect • need • refuse

• agree • hope • offer • seem
• appear • intend • plan • volunteer
• ask • learn • prepare • wait
• decide • mean • promise • want
Common Verbs Followed by a Gerund or an Infinitive (with no meaning change)
• begin • hate • love • start

• continue • like • prefer
Fun Grammar Lessons
2 Gerunds
Change the word in bold into a gerund.
Ex. Cooking
I love to cook. is very creative.
1 I like to ride my bicycle to school. my bicycle is fun.
2 Kendra swims every day because is good exercise.
3 She likes to watch movies. movies is her hobby.
4 It is against the school rules to fight. is forbidden.
5 My father drives too fast. too fast is dangerous.
6 He doesn’t like to share his toys. He’s not good at .
7 It is great to live in Canada. in Canada is nice.
8 We go jogging every day. We love jogging.
9 It is dangerous to run by the pool. by the pool is dangerous.
Cara wants to become a good piano player.

10 a good piano player is her goal.
Fun Grammar Lessons
3 Infinitives
Change the verb in parentheses
into an infinitive.
Ex. to be
Barbara pretended sleeping.
(be)
1 Maria wants John her move on Saturday.

(help)
2 Janice expects a good grade on the test.

(get)
3 Our teacher requires us perfect attendance.

(have)
4 The school counselor advised Lisa every night.

(read)
5 Jay only needs one more comic book his set.
(complete)
6 The coach encouraged the players their best.

(try)
7 Gina wants at the orphanage.

(volunteer)
8 Do not hesitate me if you need help.

(call)
9 Mark and Karen decided to Europe.

(go)
10 My friend agreed with me.

(study)
Fun Grammar Lessons
4 Multiple-Choice
Circle the correct answer.
1 My mom offered 6 You can get to the

me some money. theater by the bus.
a) loaning a) taking
b) to loan b) to take
2 Chris is considering 7 Martha thought about

English for another year. to Switzerland.
a) studying a) traveling
b) to study b) to travel
3 They volunteered tickets. 8 The children learned to strangers.
a) selling a) not talking

b) to sell b) not to talk
4 is my favorite sport. 9 Elizabeth finds it difficult money.
a) Snowboarding a) saving
b) To snowboard b) to save
5 It is essential salt to this recipe. 10 Do you want jogging with me?
a) adding a) going
b) to add b) to go
Fun Grammar Lessons
5 Rules Gerunds Infinitives
=
• S Ger • Adj + Inf
Review the rules in the box. Then write • Prep + Ger • N + Inf
• V + Ger • V + Inf
the rule used in each sentence below.
# Sentence Rule
Ex. My father wants to retire in two years. V + Inf
1 She thought about cleaning her brother’s room.
2 My parents can’t afford to buy a new car.
3 English can be very difficult to learn.
4 Reading is a hobby every kid should have.
5 Lee keeps forgetting his cell phone.
6 My best friend believes in telling the truth.
7 Texting while walking can be dangerous.
8 The travel agent suggested going to Paris in May.
9 Jim’s mother advised him to do his chores.
10 It is exciting to meet new people.
Fun Grammar Lessons
6 Fill in the Blanks

Change the verb in parentheses into the gerund or infinitive form.
When both forms are possible, write them both in the blank.
Ex. eating
Joshua dislikes vegetables.
(eat)
1 He wanted his mother him to school.

(drive)
2 Jason needs more.

(study)
3 We love sand castles at the beach.

(build)
4 Louise asked invited to my party.

(be)
5 My friend’s parents recommended to Disneyland.

(go)
6 Her brother likes video games.

(play)
7 I like snowboarding, but my cousin prefers .

(ski)
8 Hye Jun doesn’t like in the rain.

(walk)
9 The teacher encouraged us our own languages.

(speak, not)
10 It is easy behind in your schoolwork.

(fall)
Fun Grammar Lessons
7 Class Survey
Create your own class survey! Write eight questions Word List
using gerunds and infinitives with the verbs in the
• enjoy • dislike
Word List. Then ask your classmates these questions, • like • hate
and write their answers on the right. Try to speak • love
to a new classmate for each question.
# Question Answer
What kinds of movies Paul enjoys watching

Ex.
do you enjoy watching? comedies and action movies.
Fun Grammar Lessons
8 Writing Example
Write five to ten sentences My hobby is playing the guitar. I try to practice
right after school every day. My friend likes to
about one of your hobbies. sing while I play the guitar. We enjoy making
Use gerunds and infinitives music together. One day we’ll have enough
courage to perform in front of our classmates...
as often as possible.
Fun Grammar Lessons
9 Quiz
Circle the correct answer.
1 Junko and Yosuke enjoy 7 attention when you

to the beach. are really tired is difficult.
a) going a) Paying
b) to go b) To pay
2 John finished the novel. 8 They want next weekend.
a) reading a) to go skiing

b) to read b) going to ski
3 Victor hopes his exam. 9 Nicole decided tonight.
a) passing a) not going out

b) to pass b) not to go out
4 It is important 10 The coach promised

people back right away. the players take a break.
a) calling a) letting
b) to call b) to let
5 The travel agent advised shots 11 It’s too far to the museum.
before going to a tropical place.
a) walking
a) getting b) to walk
b) to get
12 Our teacher advised us
6 Do you think it is easy rice? before the big test.
a) making a) studying
b) to make b) to study
Fun Grammar Lessons
A Answer Key
2 Gerunds 6 Fill in the Blanks
1. Riding 6. sharing 1. to drive 6. playing / to play

2. swimming 7. Living 2. to study 7. skiing / to ski
3. Watching 8. going 3. building / to build 8. walking / to walk
4. Fighting 9. Running 4. to be 9. not to speak
5. Driving 10. Becoming 5. going 10. to fall
3 Infinitives 7 Class Survey
1. to help 6. to try Answers will vary.

2. to get 7. to volunteer
3. to have 8. to call
4. to read 9. to go 8 Writing
5. to complete 10. to study
Answers will vary.
4 Multiple-Choice
(continued on the next page...)
1. b 3. b 5. b 7. a 9. b
2. a 4. a 6. a 8. b 10. b
5 Rules
1. Prep + Ger 6. Prep + Ger

2. V + Inf 7. S =Ger
3. Adj + Inf 8. V + Ger
4. S =Ger 9. N + Inf
5. V + Ger 10. Adj + Inf
Fun Grammar Lessons
A Answer Key cont.

9 Quiz Spelling Notes:
This lesson shows the American spelling of the

1. a 3. b 5. a 7. a 9. b 11. b
words Counselor, Traveling, Favorite, and Practice.
2. a 4. b 6. b 8. a 10. b 12. b
Most other English-speaking countries spell these
words this way: Counsellor, Travelling, Favourite,
B Verb Cards and Practise (when used as a verb; Practice when
used as a noun). Make it a challenge for your
Optional activity. There are many ways to use these students to find these words in the lesson and
cards. One idea is to put students into small groups, see if they know the alternate spellings.
cut up the verb cards from all three lists, and give each
group one shuffled set of cards. Students can take turns
choosing a card and saying if it should be followed
by a gerund, an infinitive, or both. If the students gets Editor’s Notes:
it right, he/she may keep the card; otherwise, he/she
1. This answer key reflects the rules taught on
must return it to the pile. The winner is the student
pages 3–6. Feel free to point out to students
with the most cards at the end.
when another choice sounds natural enough.
(E.g., Exercise 9, #6, [b] is the best choice,
but [a] is also possible.)
2. The verbs try, stop, forget, remember, and

regret can be followed by a gerund or
an infinitive, but the meaning of the verb
changes. To introduce these challenging
verbs to higher-level students, see our blog
post: http://blog.esllibrary.com/2013/02/28/5-
verbs-with-meaning-changes-gerunds-and-
infinitives-advanced/
Fun Grammar Lessons
B Verb Cards
A. Common Verbs Followed by a Gerund
admit advise appreciate avoid
complete consider deny discuss
dislike enjoy finish imagine
keep mention mind miss
practice quit recommend suggest
Fun Grammar Lessons
B Verb Cards cont.

B. Common Verbs Followed by an Infinitive
afford agree appear ask
decide expect hope intend
learn mean need offer
plan prepare promise refuse
seem volunteer wait want
Fun Grammar Lessons
B Verb Cards cont.

C. Common Verbs Followed
by a Gerund or an Infinitive
begin continue hate like
love start prefer

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Fun Grammar Lessons

Gerunds & Infinitives

6 Fill in the Blanks 12

An infinitive is to + the base form of a verb.

• Speaking in front of a crowd can be scary. (subject position)

1 Grammar Notes cont.

Gerunds are common in the • S

Gerunds are also common • She thought about

This is the one position where

1 Grammar Notes cont.

Infinitives are common after

If the verb has a noun • You asked me to call you.

This is the one position

1 Grammar Notes cont.

1 Grammar Notes cont.

• I love eating pasta. V + Ger

2. main verb + not + infinitive

3. main verb + to + not + base form (less common)

4. main verb + not + gerund (not common)

1 Grammar Notes cont.

• admit • consider • finish • miss

Common Verbs Followed by an Infinitive

• afford • expect • need • refuse

Common Verbs Followed by a Gerund or an Infinitive (with no meaning change)

• begin • hate • love • start

1 I like to ride my bicycle to school. my bicycle is fun.

2 Kendra swims every day because is good exercise.

3 She likes to watch movies. movies is her hobby.

4 It is against the school rules to fight. is forbidden.

5 My father drives too fast. too fast is dangerous.

6 He doesn’t like to share his toys. He’s not good at .

7 It is great to live in Canada. in Canada is nice.

8 We go jogging every day. We love jogging.

9 It is dangerous to run by the pool. by the pool is dangerous.

Cara wants to become a good piano player.

1 Maria wants John her move on Saturday.

2 Janice expects a good grade on the test.

3 Our teacher requires us perfect attendance.

4 The school counselor advised Lisa every night.

6 The coach encouraged the players their best.

7 Gina wants at the orphanage.

8 Do not hesitate me if you need help.

9 Mark and Karen decided to Europe.

10 My friend agreed with me.

1 My mom offered 6 You can get to the

2 Chris is considering 7 Martha thought about

3 They volunteered tickets. 8 The children learned to strangers.

a) selling a) not talking

4 is my favorite sport. 9 Elizabeth finds it difficult money.

5 Rules Gerunds Infinitives

Ex. My father wants to retire in two years. V + Inf

1 She thought about cleaning her brother’s room.

2 My parents can’t afford to buy a new car.

3 English can be very difficult to learn.

4 Reading is a hobby every kid should have.

5 Lee keeps forgetting his cell phone.

6 My best friend believes in telling the truth.

7 Texting while walking can be dangerous.

8 The travel agent suggested going to Paris in May.

9 Jim’s mother advised him to do his chores.

10 It is exciting to meet new people.

6 Fill in the Blanks

1 He wanted his mother him to school.

• Speaking in front of a crowd can be scary. (subject position)