1. Gerunds and Infinitives Gerunds (verb + -ing) and infinitives (to + verb) are forms of verbs that act like nouns and pronouns. Examples:
In both the examples above, the gerund
and the infinitive are the objects of the verbs in the sentence.
However, as noun substitutes, gerunds and infinitives can also
be the subject of a sentence.
Some common verbs are always followed by
a gerund:
Some verbs are always followed by infinitives.
Some verbs can be followed by either a
gerund or an infinitive.
2. -ed / -ing Adjectives Here are some of the most common errors using adjectives ending in -ing and -ed.The correct form is given first:
Click here to see a list of -ed or -ing adjectives. 3. Go + Gerund This combination is usually used in many expressions related to recreational activities and shopping. For example: go boating, go canoeing, go fishing, go sailing, go camping, go hunting, go skating, go shopping, go skiing, go sightseeing, etc. 4. Remember, Forget, Stop, regret After the verbs remember, forget, stop, regret the difference between the infinitive and the gerund concerns time and order of events. For example: Infinitive: I remembered to mail the letter. = First I remembered. then I mailed the letter. Gerund: I remembered mailing the letter. = First I mailed the letter. then I remembered it. Infinitive: I forgot to go to the meeting. = First I forgot. So I didn't go. Gerund: I forgot going to the meeting. = First I went to the meeting. Then I forgot about going there. Infinitive: I stopped to smoke. = First I stopped what I was doing. Then I smoked. Gerund: I stopped smoking. = First I was a smoker. Then I stopped. Infinitive: I regret to tell you that you failed the course = First I regretted it. Then I told you. Gerund: I regret telling you that you failed the course. = First I told you. Then I regretted it. 5. Let, Make, Have, Help After the verbs let, make and have you must drop the infinitive to and use the base of the verb. For example: I let him borrow my car. = I allowed him to borrow my car. They make our cat stay outside. = They force our cat to stay outside. I had the barber cut my hair. = I asked the barber to cut my hair. Note: the verb help can be used with or without the infinitive e.g. I wanted to help her to do the homework. or I wanted to help her do the homework. |
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