Infinitive and Gerund in English

The infinitive in English is the basic form of a verb that does not change in tense, person or number. Often used with the particle “to“, for example “to run”, “to eat”, “to think”, but can also be used without it after some verbs, adjectives and other parts of speech.

Gerund in English is a noun formed from a verb by adding “-ing“. It is used to express actions or states occurring simultaneously with the actions described in the sentence. For example, “Reading helps to expand knowledge” – here “reading” is a gerund, a form of the verb “read”, acting as the subject of the sentence.

Infinitive in English

The infinitive is one of the main verb forms in the English language. It is the base form of verbs and is used to convey an action or state that does not depend on a specific person or number. The infinitive can be used as an independent form, as well as in combination with other verbs, adjectives and nouns. Let’s take a closer look at examples of its use.

Examples of using the infinitive:

1. Infinitive as an independent form:
   • To swim
   • To read
   • To eat
2. Infinitive in conjunction with verbs:
   • I want to learn English
   • She decided to quit her job
   • They need to buy groceries
3. Infinitive in combination with adjectives:
   • It’s important to study regularly
   • She was excited to meet her favorite singer
4. Infinitive in combination with nouns:
   • He has a desire to travel the world
   • She made an attempt to solve the puzzle

Gerund in English

The gerund is one form of verb in English that is used as a noun. It is formed by adding the ending -ing to the base of the verb. The gerund can perform the role of subject, object, circumstance, and other roles in a sentence. Let’s look at examples of the use of the gerund.

Examples of the use of the gerund:

1. Gerund as subject:
   • Swimming is good for your health
   • Singing brings me joy
2. Gerund as an adjunct:
   • She enjoys reading books
   • They don’t mind watching movies at home
3. Gerund as a condition:
   • He left without saying goodbye.
   • She achieved success by working hard.
4. Gerund as other roles:
   • I need help with cleaning the house
   • They are interested in learning new languages

Gerund/Infinitive | A test of 30 questions

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Practice. Infinitive, gerund

My family is trying _____ where to go on holiday

decide

to decide

deciding

decided

What _____ to do after university? I’d like to get a job in publishing

are you going to hope

do you hope

will you hope

are you hope

I’d like _____ somewhere different for a change

go

going

went

to go

Was your father _____ when you told him your exam results? He was furious.

frightened

worrying

tired

annoyed

There were _____ people at the party! There was nowhere to dance

such

so much

such a

so many

When I was young, I _____ ice-skating

used to go

go

going

went to

He told me he loved me. I didn’t know what _____.

say

to say

will I say

saying

A woman from a travel agency helped us _____ a nice house

chooses

choosing

too choose

to choose

They prefer _____ in a swimming pool all day

plays

to playing

playing

to play

Their house is _____ mess! I don’t know how they live in it

such an

so

such a

so many

“My mother was so helpful while she was staying with us. What _____ to do?

was she helping you

will she help you

does she help you

did she help you

Last year we managed _____ a holiday that suited everyone

finding

to find

find

found

What _____ you to do? She (the doctor) told me to stay in bed for a few days

does she tell

will she tell

is she going to tell

did she tell

Everyone hopes ____ themselves on holiday but it isn’t always easy

to enjoy

be enjoyed

enjoying

enjoy

They refuse _____ out on trips if it’s too hot

go

to go

going

to going

I’m _____ hungry. I could eat a horse

such

so

such a

so much

I enjoy _____ places I’ve never been to before

to visit

visit

visits

visiting

Jane and Pete are _____ nice people! But I can’t stand their kids

such

so

such a

so many

What _____ to do? I’m looking for my contact lens. Can you see it?

will you try

did you try

do you try

are you trying

When we arrived, the people next door invited us _____ a drink with them.

to had

having

have

to have

I’ve spent _____ money this week! I don’t know where it’s all gone

such

so many

so

so much

My wife and I are starting _____ we should stay at home.

think

thinking

thought

to think

A present! For me? You’re _____ kind!

such a

such

so many

so

We began _____ about next year’s holiday two months ago

talked

talking

talk

talks

I’ll help you. What _____ me to do? Could you do the washing-up while I am doing the cooking?

you want

are you wanting

do you want

did you want

But my children hate _____.

sightsee

to sightsee

sightseeing

will sightsee

What _____ to do tonight? What about going out for a meal?

are liking

will you like

would you like

do you like

I went to the shops _____ some shoes

for buy

for to buy

to buy

buy

Do you enjoy _____?

dancing

dance

to dance

danced

We decided _____ a house with a swimming pool.

renting

rent

to renting

to rent

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