Gerunds and Infinitives

General knowledge

100

What is a gerund? What is another name for it? Is it a verb or a noun? What roles can it play in a sentence?

A gerund is also known as a verbal noun. It is formed by adding "-ing" to a verb. A gerund can play the role of a subject or object in a sentence.

200

A gerund is a verb+ing form, but a verb+ing form is not necessarily a gerund. List two verb+ing forms that are not a gerund. Give examples.

1). the progressive aspect: I was having dinner when my mom called. 2). the present participle adjective: This is a fascinating story.

300

What is an infinitive? Which verbs are usually ONLY followed by an infinitive? Give 5 examples. What do these verbs have in common?

An infinitive is "to + base form of a verb". Verbs indicating intention are usually only followed by an infinitive. For example, want, plan, would like, mean, can't wait, need, hope, expect, decide, promise, offer, refuse, learn (how)

Gerunds or Infinitives?

100

Verb phrases ending with a preposition can only be followed by a). gerunds; b). infinitives. Give an example.

a). gerunds. I have to put off visiting my parents for a week.

200

Give an example of a sentence where a gerund is the subject. Then turn it into a sentence with the structure: "It is...to..".

Playing video games is fun. --> It is fun to play video games.

300

Explain the difference between: 1). A. I stopped talking. B. I stopped to talk. 2). A. I regret telling her the news. B. I regret to tell her the news.

1). A. I was talking. Then I stopped. B. I was doing something other than talking. Then I stopped that thing in order to talk. 2). A. I regret that I have told her the news. B. I regret what I'm about to tell her.

Sentence Completion

100

1). Let’s postpone (go) _____________ abroad until the political situation improves. 2). Alex seems (want) _____________ (go) _____________ (sail) _____________ this weekend.

1). going 2). to want to go sailing

200

1). I’m not (tall/reach) _____________________ the top shelf. 2). Some movies are (violent/watch) ________________ for children _____________________. 3). You can favorably impress a job interviewer _____________________.

1). tall enough to reach; 2). too violent for children to watch; 3). by dressing properly.

300

1). Sally protected her eyes from the sun _____________________. 2). It’s traditional for _____________________ to _____________________. 3). I listened to the radio for _____________________. 4). I take long walks to _____________________.

1). with her hands. 2). families to gather together on Thanksgiving Day. 3). the latest news. 4). exercise.

Error Correction

100

1). I went to the bank for cashing a check. 2). Would you like going to camp with us?

1). I went to the bank to cash a check. 2). Would you like to go camping with us?

200

1). Stop to crack these nuts with your teeth! Here. Use a nutcracker. 2). It is impossible to talk for a dog. 3). Washing dishes aren’t much fun.

1). Stop cracking these nuts with your teeth! 2). It is impossible for a dog to talk. 3). Washing dishes isn't much fun.

300

1). I am looking forward to meet with you in the near future. 2). I cut down the tree by a saw. 3). I like to travel because you learn too much about other countries and cultures. 4). These leather bags are made with hand.

1). I am looking forward to meeting with you.. 2). ...with a saw. 3). ...you learn very much about other countries... 4). ...made by hand.