The document provides an in-depth explanation of infinitives and gerunds, highlighting their definitions, grammatical functions, and examples. Infinitives can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs, while gerunds function as nouns and can describe actions with '-ing' endings. It also discusses their roles in sentence structure and the contextual differences between the two forms.

1. Jesús Diáz
English
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2. Definition of infinitive
An infinitive is a form of a verb that can be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb. It's usually
formed by taking the base verb and adding the word "to" in front.
Infinitives can function as nouns in different contexts:
5. Infinitive as an Adverb:
- Infinitives can serve as adverbs, expressing purpose or intention.
- Example:
- "She took the yoga class to try to relieve herself from stress." (Here,
"to try" explains the purpose of taking the class.)
Infinitives can function as nouns in different contexts:
1. Infinitive as Subject:
- When used as a subject, an infinitive phrase acts as a noun.
It takes on the role of the main action or idea in the sentence.
- Example:
- Normal Subject: "Learning is important."
- Abstract Subject (less common): "To learn is important."
2. Infinitive as Direct Object:
- As a direct object, the infinitive phrase receives the action of a verb.
- Example:
- "He wants to learn." (Here, "to learn" serves as the direct object
after the verb "wants.")
3. Infinitive as Subject Complement:
- An infinitive can also function as a subject
complement, providing additional information about the
subject.
- Example:
- "The most important thing is to learn." (Here, "to learn"
complements the subject "thing.")
4. Infinitive as an Adjective:
- Sometimes infinitives modify nouns as adjectives.
- Example:
- "They didn't make the decision to go." (Here, "to go"
describes the noun "decision.")

3. The use of infinitives as verbal complements.
When one action verb completes another, the complement can take on three forms:
1. Gerund: The gerund form of the second verb is created by adding "-ing" to the base form (e.g., "doing," "learning"). For example:
- "He forgot to do his homework." (Signifies that he didn't do his homework because he forgot.)
- "He forgot doing his homework." (Signifies that he did his homework but can't remember doing it.)
2. Infinitive with 'to': The infinitive form with "to" (e.g., "to do," "to learn") is commonly used. For instance:
- "She likes to learn English." (Denotes pleasure in learning English.)
- "She likes learning English." (Similar meaning, emphasizing enjoyment.)
3. Bare or Pure Infinitive: This form omits "to" (e.g., "do," "learn"). It's less common but still valid:
- "She likes learning English at her new school." (Emphasizes novelty or currency.)
- Using the bare infinitive here would slightly change the effect.
The use of infinitives as circumstantial elements.
1. Substantival Infinitive:
- The infinitive is a verbal form that acts as both a verb and a substantive (noun). It lacks limitations of number and person.
- It can express different stages of action (occurring, continuing, or finished) and can have a subject before it and a predicate after it.
- For example:
- "She wants to learn French." (Infinitive as the object of the verb "wants.")
- "His goal is to become a doctor." (Infinitive as the subject of the verb "is.")
2. Adjectival Infinitive:
- Participles (active, middle, and passive) are inflected like adjectives.
- The infinitive can also be used adjectivally, often with the neuter article (except the vocative case).
- For example:
- "The opportunity to travel abroad excited her." (Infinitive as an adjective modifying "opportunity.")
- "He is eager to explore new cultures." (Infinitive as an adjective modifying "eager.")

4. Definition of gerund
A gerund is a verb acting as a noun. It describes an action, like "biking," "thinking," "running," or "speaking," but becomes a concept within a
sentence. Gerunds can serve as the subject, direct object, indirect object, or the object of a preposition. For example:
1. "As a food blogger, eating is an involved production for Shoshanna."
2. "Fazal turned off his phone and shut the door so he could focus on studying."
Gerunds are verbs in the present participle form (root verb + "ing") that function as nouns. They allow us to express actions more abstractly..
Gerunds as the subject of a sentence.
They add vibrancy and action to expressions. Here are some examples:
1. "Hiking can be a relaxing and rewarding activity."
2. "Swimming in the winter can boost your immune system."
3. "Learning a foreign language is easier at a young age."
Gerunds (verbs ending in "-ing") act as nouns in these sentences.

5. Gerunds as adjectives, adding descriptive
nuances to nouns.
Gerund as an Adjective:
- When a gerund (a verb ending in "-ing") modifies a noun, it functions as an adjective.
- Examples:
- "The swimming pool is refreshing." (The pool is used for swimming.)
- "She wears running shoes for her workouts." (Shoes designed for running.)
- "He enjoys reading books with interesting plots." (Books that are interesting.)
- "The falling leaves create a beautiful carpet." (Leaves that are falling.)
Gerunds add color and specificity when describing nouns.
The use of gerunds as verbal complements
Gerund as a Complement:
- A gerund (a verb ending in "-ing") can function as a complement in a sentence.
- It complements the action described by the main verb.
- Structure: Subject + Verb + Complement (Gerund).
- Example:
- "She enjoys swimming in the ocean." (Gerund "swimming" complements the verb "enjoys.")
Gerunds add depth and specificity to sentences.

6. The circumstantial uses of gerunds
- Gerunds can enrich sentences by expressing circumstantial meanings related to time, mood, cause, condition, and more.
- For example:
- "She reads while listening to music." (Expresses the manner in which she reads.)
- "He got wet running in the rain." (Describes the cause of getting wet.)
Gerunds add depth and context to sentences.
The use of gerunds in different structures:
1. After Some Verbs:
- Certain verbs are typically followed by gerunds. These include:
- "admit," "enjoy," "appreciate," "deny," "mind," "understand," "avoid," "finish," "consider," "can’t help," and "imagine."
- Example: "I can’t help falling in love." / "She avoids confronting me."
2. After Prepositions:
- Gerunds often follow prepositions. Here are some examples:
- "concentrate on (doing)," "approve of (doing)," "admit to (doing)," "insist on (doing)," "feel like (doing)," "forget about (doing)," "think about
(doing)," "plan on (doing)," and "talk about (doing)."
3. After 'From' and 'To':
- Gerunds are used in specific cases:
- Stopping or Preventing: "He stopped me from coming." / "I prevent you from smoking."
- Looking Forward: "I look forward to hearing from you."
- Objecting: "Let’s all object to listening to their decisions."
- Getting Used To: "It took me a long time to get used to living here."

7. 1. Gerunds:
- Function: Gerunds act as nouns.
- Form: They end in "-ing" (e.g., "swimming," "reading").
- Examples:
- "I enjoy swimming in the ocean." (Gerund as the object of the verb "enjoy.")
- "Thinking is something that comes naturally." (Gerund as the subject of the sentence.)
2. Infinitives:
- Function: Infinitives function as verbs.
- Form: They are prefaced with "to" (e.g., "to think," "to read").
- Examples:
- "I'd like you to think about something." (Infinitive as the object of the verb "like.")
- "Can we take a walk without you stopping to smoke?" (Infinitive as part of the verb phrase.)
Context determines which form to use. Gerunds emphasize real or completed actions, while infinitives relate to unreal, abstract, or future
actions.
The semantic differences between gerunds
and infinitives:

8. GRACIAS