Tag - Gerunds Definition and Examples

Among the types of Verbs, the last one we are going to discuss today is "Gerunds and Infinitives." Today, we will learn what are gerunds and infinitives; and their usage. Gerunds and infinitives replace the noun in a sentence. Gerund -ing form of verb (present participle) Reading, Writing Infinitive To + base form of verb To Read, To write But the question arises here is, whether to use a gerund or an infinitive. This depends on the main verb. I hope to have you here by tomorrow. (Infinitive) I predict having the task completed by tomorrow. (Gerund) What is a gerund? A gerund is formed by adding "ing" to a noun. Here are the examples. Noun Gerund Read Reading Learn Learning Write Writing They can be used as: Subject in a sentence Object in a sentence As the complement Example Sentences: Subject of a sentence Researching helps get a command of the topic. As the complement of a sentence Her favorite activity is reading. Object of a sentence They like playing. Using Gerunds in Negative Sentences: This is done by adding "not" to the sentence. For Example, The best specialty is not avoiding co-curricular activities. What is an infinitive? An infinitive is the base form of the verb. The infinitive form of "learn" is "to learn." You can also use an infinitive as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence. Examples: Subject of the sentence To forgive is important. As the complement of a sentence The most beneficial thing is to research. Object of a Sentence He wants to rest Using Infinitives in Negative Sentences: This is done by adding "not" to the sentence. For Example, I decided not to go. The most essential factor is not to settle for the rest. Usage in the English Language: Use of Gerunds: After some verbs After prepositions As subject or object Use of infinitives (To + Infinitives) After some verbs After most of the adjectives To represent the purpose Usage of Bare Infinitives: These are used after: Modal verbs Words like 'let', 'make', and 'help.' Verbs of perception Expressions beginning with 'why' Gerund and Infinitive list: A to Z List of 50 Most Commonly used Gerunds: Acting Biking Chatting Cleaning Climbing Cooking Crafting Dancing Designing Drinking Drawing Driving Eating Exercising Filming Fishing Gardening Hiking Jogging Knitting Learning Listening Meditating Modeling Painting Performing Photographing Playing Practicing Reading Running Sewing Shopping Singing Skating Skiing Sleeping Studying Surfing Swimming Talking Teaching Traveling Typing Walking Watching Working Writing Gerunds, Definition, Usage, and List Download PDF Practice the Gerunds' worksheet now. A to Z List of 50 Most Commonly Used Infinitives: To act To bake To begin To call To choose To clean To climb To cook To dance To draw To drink To drive To eat To enjoy To exercise To finish To fish To fly To follow To forget To give To go To help To hike To hold To jump To keep To know To learn To leave To listen To live To look To make To move To need To play To read To run To say To see To sing To sleep To swim To talk To travel To try To understand To walk To write What are Infinitives? Usage, List, and Worksheet Download PDF Practice the Gerunds' worksheet now. Also revise, what we learned yesterday! Helping Verbs.