Gerunds and Infinitives
using
(gerunds follow prepositions!)
Anthony __________ (play) a lot of video games recently.
has been playing (present perfect continuous) OR has played (present perfect)
Rewrite the sentence as a cleft sentence with "What."
Piano music relaxes me.
What relaxes me is piano music.
Use "wish" to express regret:
I ate so many cookies.
I wish I hadn't eaten so many cookies.
("wish" + past perfect)
By next year, Julie _______ (save) enough money to buy a car.
will have saved
Martha has decided ______ (keep) a record of her expenses.
to keep
(verbs after "decide" are in the infinitive form)
Maya _______ (not practice) the violin lately.
has not practiced OR has not been practicing
Rewrite the sentence as a cleft sentence with "What."
I really enjoy salsa music.
What I really enjoy is salsa music.
Use "if only" to express regret:
I spent all my money on coffee from Juan Valdez.
If only I hadn't spent all my money on coffee from Juan Valdez.
("If only" + past perfect)
Bella ______ (not buy) her first house before she turns 25.
will not have bought
Jordan is not very social, but he considered _____ (go) to the party anyway.
going
(verbs that follow "consider" are in the gerund form)
How long _______ (wait) in line to buy your ticket?
have you been waiting OR have you waited
Rewrite the sentence as a cleft sentence with "What."
She doesn't understand how to live within her means.
What she doesn't understand is how to live within her means.
Use "should have" to express regret:
I didn't pay my bills on time.
I should have paid my bills on time.
("should have" + past participle"
______ Harry __________ (defeat) Voldemort before it's too late?
Will...have defeated
It's a nice day _____ (play) outside in the park.
to play
(impersonal "It" statements can be followed by infinitives)
Matthew _______ (not finish) his law degree yet.
has not finished
(we use the present perfect with "yet")
Rewrite the sentence as a cleft sentence with "What."
Marianne doesn't care for Adele's sentimental lyrics.
What Marianne doesn't care for are Adele's sentimental lyrics.
Use "ought to have" to express regret:
I didn't keep track of my expenses last month.
I ought to have kept track of my expenses last month.
("ought to have" + past participle)
By next May I plan _____ (graduate) from USFQ.
to have graduated
(use the perfect infinitive after "plan")
Do you prefer _____ (play) Jeopardy or Kahoot?
to play OR playing
(both gerunds and infinitives can follow the verb "prefer")
_____ you already _______ (decide) on where you will go for vacation?
Have...decided
(use the present perfect with "already")
Rewrite the sentence as a cleft sentence with "What."
Fabian has been listening to Beethoven's piano compositions.
What Fabian has been listening to are Beethoven's piano compositions.
Use the negative of "should have" to express regret:
I wasted my money on impulse buys.
I shouldn't have wasted my money on impulse buys.
("should not have" + past participle)
Do you intend ______ (create) a savings account by next Friday?
to have created
(use the perfect infinitive after "intend")