Senior 2 Module 8 Gerunds and infinitives Gerunds

Senior 2 Module 8 Gerunds and infinitives

Gerunds � Function as nouns. This means gerunds can be replaced by pronouns. For example, ◦ Susan denied participating in the event. ◦ Susan denied it. [it = participating in the event] ◦ Michael remembered turning off the lights. ◦ Michael remembered it. [it = turning off the lights] ◦ I’m looking forward to reading the book. ◦ I’m looking forward to it.

Gerunds � Function as nouns. This means gerunds can be replaced by pronouns. For example, ◦ I don’t like being late for class. ◦ I don’t like it. [it = being late for class] ◦ Entertaining guests is not my favourite thing. ◦ It is not my favourite thing. [it = entertaining guests] ◦ I’m good at playing basketball. ◦ I’m good at it. [it = playing basketball]

Gerunds � If we look at it carefully, we add a gerund to indicate the action of doing something, but you could as well eliminate the gerund on certain occasions: ◦ David denied participating in the event. ◦ David denied his participation in the event. ◦ David denied (doing) something.

Gerunds � Some structures require the use of the gerund. For example: ◦ It’s no use doing something. ◦ It’s worth studying gerunds and infinitives. ◦ We’re having difficulty remembering this. � Notice, however, that: ◦ It’s difficult to hear what she’s saying.

Infinitives � Unlike gerunds, infinitives can’t be replaced by a pronoun, and they do play the role of the verb. ◦ That’s your chance to win the game. ◦ That’s your chance it. [? ? ] ◦ She’ll make an effort to come to the party. ◦ She’ll make an effort it. [? ? ]

Infinitives � Adjectives ◦ ◦ are usually followed by infinitives. It’s good to see you’ve recovered. It’s important for you to tell her the truth. She’s too short to play basketball. He isn’t fast enough to win the race.

Verbs followed by… � Gerunds ◦ I can’t stand going to the club with her. ◦ I can’t stand this/that. ◦ She considered leaving the country. ◦ She considered that possibility. ◦ He suggests going to the cinema. ◦ He suggests this.

Verbs followed by… � Infinitives ◦ Frank doesn’t agree to do that. ✓ ◦ Frank doesn’t agree that. ✗ ◦ Frank doesn’t agree with that. ✓ ◦ Jack decided to call his girlfriend. ✓ ◦ Jack decided this. ✓

Infinitives � Is there any difference in meaning between the sentences below? ◦ Jack wants to eat a banana. ◦ Jack wants a banana. ◦ He expects to come with us. ◦ He expects that.

Now what? ? � Unfortunately, there’s no easy rule for you to know when to use a gerund or an infinitive after a certain verb. The best way for you to learn it is by: ◦ Using it. ◦ Reading more.

Some special verbs � Let, Make, Help ◦ My mum lets me play PS 3 until 2: 00 am. ◦ My friends help me do my homework. ◦ I’ll make you remember these verbs.

� Michelle � Juliet is having trouble to sleep / sleeping. refused to dance / dancing with Pete. you imagine to spend / spending your vacations in Europe? � Can not easy for them to speak / speaking in public. � It’s � Do you enjoy to drink / drinking coke?

�I miss to talk / talking to my friends. �I don’t mind to eat / eating vegetables. � It’s worth to listen / listening to that song. tend to be / being given the red carpet treatment. � They is the right time to buy / buying some shares in the stock market. � This