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Gerunds and Infinitives

Words that are formed from verbs but don't act as verbs are called VERBAL/
NON-FINITE VERBS. There are three types of verbals: Participles, Gerunds and
Infinitives.

Gerunds
A gerund is a verbal that ends in -ing and functions as a noun. The term verbal indicates
that a gerund, like the other two kinds of verbals, is based on a verb and therefore
expresses action or a state of being. However, since a gerund functions as a noun, it
occupies some positions in a sentence that a noun ordinarily would, for example: subject,
direct object, subject complement, and object of preposition.
E.g. Traveling (Subject) might satisfy your desire for new experiences.
They do not appreciate my singing (Direct object).
My cat's favorite activity is sleeping (Subject complement).
The police arrested him for speeding (Object of preposition).

Infinitives
The infinitive is the base form of a verb with to. Usually it functions as a noun, although it
can also function as an adjective or adverb.
To jump is fun. (noun; subject of the verb is)
She had a suggestion to offer. (adjective modifying suggestion)
He called to warn her. (adverb modifying the verb called)
Infinitives are of two kinds:
1. The Noun-Infinitive—Noun-Infinitive is also called Simple Infinitive. It is used like a
Noun. Therefore, it is also called Verb–Noun. It performs all the Functions of a Noun. Noun-
Infinitive is use as:
a) As the Subject of a Verb
E.g. To err is human.
b) As the Object of a Verb.
E.g. He loves to read novels.
c) As the Object of a Preposition
E.g. He has no choice but to go.
d) As the Complement of a Verb
E.g. My only ambition is to be a doctor.
e) As an Objective Complement
E.g. I saw him dance.
2. The Gerundial Infinitive—Gerundial Infinitive is also called Qualifying Infinitive. It
performs the Functions of an Adjective or an Adverb. Gerundial Infinitives have the
following functions:
a) To qualify a Noun
E.g. There is no book to read.
b) To qualify an Adjective
E.g. This book is good to read.
c) To qualify a Verb (to express a purpose)
E.g. He came to seek my permission.
d) To qualify a sentence
E.g. To tell the truth, I am very tired.
The Infinitive is used without ‘to’ after these Verbs—hear, see, feel, make, let, bid, watch,
behold, know, notice, observe, need not, dare not.
The Infinitives coming after these verbs also do not take ‘to’ before them—shall, might,
will, should, would, do, did, may, must, can, could.