The document discusses the differences between gerunds, infinitives, and to-infinitives in English grammar. It provides examples of when to use each form and notes that while gerunds and infinitives may sound the same, their meanings can differ. The key uses of gerunds are as subjects or objects and after prepositions or certain verbs. Infinitives are used after modal verbs without "to" or with verbs like "let" and "make." Certain verbs like "try" can take either form but with different meanings. Understanding these rules is important to avoid confusion and use verbs correctly in sentences.

1. Spoken English
Gerunds & Infinitive
By
Ash Vyas

2. Gerunds & Infinitive
There are 3 different forms of verb which we can use in a sentence:
•Gerund (Verb-ing)
•Infinitive (verb)
•To Infinitive (to Verb)
It is tricky to decide which is the correct form of verb, but there are a few tips and
grammar rules which we can follow to ensure using the right verb.
Tip: Read & listen English statements & concentrate on grammar rules applied to make yourself habitual

3. Gerunds vs Infinitive
•It may sound same to use either Gerund or infinitive, but, in most of the cases, the
meaning gets changed.
•When you use gerunds at wrong place, you confuse the listener with the meaning
of the sentence.
•It is advisable to remember all rules and tips we will discuss today and always
use the correct form of the verb.
•When you’re unsure which form to use, use ‘to infinitive’ form. This may be not
the right usage still your message will be clear. (But don’t overuse it)

4. Gerunds
•A gerund is a noun made from a verb by adding "-ing."
•It is used like a continuous tense, but it is used differently. Often, it plays a role of
a subject or pronoun in the sentence.
Example:
•Playing in class is not allowed. (Gerund)
•He is eating in class. (Present continuous)

5. Infinitive
The verb itself with or without preceding to.
Example:
•To be honest, I love everything about it.
•I would rather help you in the project than taking leave.
•Go and check if I left the fan on.

6. When to use Gerunds?
General activities: I'm good at mentoring.
Abstract ideas: I'm not used to waking up early. (I'm not habitual waking up early)
When you don't have a certain noun to describe: Catching that flight is impossible
now.
When speaking/writing in incomplete sentences (informal style):
Watching a video session and surfing the net at the moment.

7. When to use Gerunds?
•As the subject of a sentence: Smoking is injurious to health.
•As the object of the sentence: He quit smoking after severe sickness.
•After words expressing like/dislikes such as:
can't stand, crazy about, enjoy, fancy, hate, like, dislike, keen on, love, don't mind, prefer, passionate.
•I love swimming

8. When to use Gerunds?
After Phrasal verbs: she ended up going to jail.
After prepositions: The cops arrested her for speeding.
Note: Word 'to' is also preposition so if you're using to as preposition, you must use Gerund instead of
infinitive.
Example:
•I look forward to hearing back from you.
•I am committed to doing this at any cost.
•I am used to living like this

9. When to use Gerunds?
After certain verbs:
Admit Imagine Risk
Avoid Involve Spend
Can’t help Keen on Stop
Carry on Miss Suggest
Consider Mean Understand
Deny Postpone Waste
Finish Practice
Give up Quit

10. When to use Infinitive (with to)?
•To express a reason or purpose: He ran to avoid being late.
•After adjectives:
oIt is difficult to survive here for non performers
oShe is happy to help us
oIt is easy to bake at home

11. When to use Infinitive (with to)?
After certain verbs:
Agree Expect Need
Appear Forget Offer
Arrange Fail Plan
Bother Happen Pretend
Be able to Help Promise
Can't wait Hope Refuse
Choose Learn Seem
Decide Manage Teach
Tend

12. When to use Infinitive (without to)?
After modal verbs: You can finish that work
Note:
‘Ought to’ and ‘have to” are modal verbs with to so you need to use the to while
using these modal verbs:
Example:
•I have to finish this work
•I ought to finish this work.

13. When to use Infinitive (without to)?
After certain verbs:
Let (someone) Infinitive Let him do this
Make (someone) Infinitive Make Josh do this
Have (someone) Infinitive Have Sheryl do this
Had better Infinitive Had better do this
Would rather Infinitive Would rather do this
Why not Infinitive Why not do this?

14. Gerunds Vs Infinitive (With/ Without to)?
There are a few verbs which can use either Gerund or Infinitive. However, gerund
change the meaning of sentence. So follow below mentioned Tips:
•Gerund is used for things that have already happened: He began helping
orphanage from last year.
•Infinitive is used for things that can (could) still happen: It is still possible to help
that orphanage.

15. Gerunds Vs Infinitive (With/ Without to)?
•Gerunds are often used when actions are real, fixed, or completed: I enjoy
dancing
•Infinitives are used when actions are unreal or abstract: He wants to enjoy
billionaires life.

16. Gerunds Vs Infinitive (With/ Without to)?
Some verbs can use both Gerund or to + Infinitive, but it change meaning of the
sentence such as:
Try, forget, need, remember
Examples:
Try not to hurt yourself. (asking to put efforts to do something – strong
recommendation)
You should try going to India this time. (giving a suggestion to try something )

17. Gerunds Vs Infinitive (With/ Without to)?
Forget:
•I forgot to bring my purse. (you forgot to do something; action is over)
•I"ll never forget meeting you. (you will put efforts to forget/not forget something)
Need:
•I need to buy a new laptop. (showing necessity)
•That laptop needs repairing. (showing immediate action requirement)

18. Gerunds Vs Infinitive (With/ Without to)?
Remember:
•I remembered to meet him. (not forget to)
•I remember meeting him. (having a memory of the action; the action is finished)

19. Any Questions?
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