Gerund

and the
to-infinitive
 Gerund / To-Infinitive
 A gerund is the –ing form of a verb used as a verbal
noun.

 Although a gerund looks the same as the –ing form used

in continuous tenses (the present participle), it functions
in a similar way to a noun.
 Thus, gerunds can function as subjects, subject
complements, direct objects and complements of
prepositions.
Gerunds vs Present Participles

My sister is protesting on the streets.

present participle
(used here with the auxiliary verb is to form the
present continuous tense)

Have you ever considered protesting on the streets?

gerund
(not part of any verb tense)
 USE / EXAMPLES

The gerund is used:

• as the subject of a sentence
Protesting is a fundamental right.

• after prepositions
I’m tired of fighting against discrimination and seeing no results.

• after certain verbs such as: admit, appreciate, avoid, consider,

deny, dislike, enjoy, finish, give up, can’t help, imagine, involve,
keep, mention, mind, miss, postpone, practise, resist, risk, can’t
stand and suggest
Can you imagine living in a world without discrimination?
 USE / EXAMPLES (continued)
• after phrasal verbs
She kept on asking for respect.

• after the preposition to in expressions like: look forward to…, object

to…, prefer… to…, be used to…
I look forward to seeing you at the protest against the violation
of human rights in Africa.

• after possessive determiners or object pronouns

What do you think about her embracing Islam?
 USE / EXAMPLES (continued)

• after some expressions like: it’s no use…, it’s no good…, it is/isn’t

worth…
It’s no good pretending that discrimination against women
does not exist.

• as the complement of the verb to be

One of his concerns is fighting violence against children.
 FORM
Gerunds may be affirmative or negative.

 The negative is formed by putting not before the –ing

form.

Their problem is not respecting human rights.

Decide whether the sentences contain a gerund, a
present participle or both.

1. She didn’t appreciate him saying no to freedom of religion.

gerund / present participle / both
2. He has been campaigning for freedom of speech around the
world. gerund / present participle / both
3. Instead of ignoring what is happening in his country, James
reports many atrocities, committed against his fellow citizens, in a
blog. gerund / present participle / both
4. I look forward to seeing and celebrating the day when every
person is treated with respect. gerund / present participle / both
5. In my opinion the greatest violation to human rights is turning
children into soldiers. gerund / present participle / both
Choose one of the verbs given to complete each
sentence.

keep violate hire engage elect raise develop

1. The government has admitted violating

________ the European
Convention on Human Rights.
2. The law in those countries doesn’t prevent employershiring
from
______ children under 16.
3. keeping the death
Surprisingly most people were in favour of ________
penalty.
4. Electing a woman as President of this country is almost an
________
impossible task.
5. raising awareness of the
Many celebrities have succeeded in _______
violence committed against women and children.