Gerunds and Infinitives Practice Exercises

Gerunds and Infinitives Practice Exercises

Gerunds and infinitives are essential parts of English grammar. They are verb forms that function as nouns in a sentence, but they differ in their structures and usage. Gerunds are formed by adding "-ing" to the base form of a verb, while infinitives are the base form of a verb preceded by "to." They can act as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence.

Practicing using gerunds and infinitives is crucial for understanding their differences and improving your English skills. Here are some practice exercises to help you become proficient in using gerunds and infinitives:

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Form

Choose the correct form of the word - gerund or infinitive - in each of the following sentences:

1. I enjoy to swim in the ocean. Correct: I enjoy swimming in the ocean.

2. He needs to exercise every day. Correct: He needs exercising every day.

3. My favorite activity is to play the piano. Correct: My favorite activity is playing the piano.

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb - gerund or infinitive:

1. I love to run in the park.
2. He wants to eat a healthy breakfast.
3. Swimming is my favorite activity.
4. She enjoys to play the guitar.
5. Working out is essential for a healthy lifestyle.

Exercise 3: Identify the Correct Form

Identify the correct form of the verb - gerund or infinitive - in each of the following sentences:

1. She wants to go to the store. Correct: She wants to go to the store.

2. He enjoys to watch movies. Correct: He enjoys watching movies.

3. They decided to go on a vacation. Correct: They decided to go on a vacation.

Exercise 4: Sentence Correction

Correct the following sentences to use the correct form of the verb - gerund or infinitive:

1. I like to eat pizza. Correct: I like eating pizza.

2. He decided to run a marathon. Correct: He decided to run a marathon.

3. Swimming is a great exercise. Correct: Swimming is a great exercise.

Exercise 5: Contextual Understanding

Choose the correct form of the verb - gerund or infinitive - based on the context:

1. I enjoy to play basketball. Correct: I enjoy playing basketball.

2. She wants to cook a delicious meal. Correct: She wants to cook a delicious meal.

3. Working out is essential to staying healthy. Correct: Working out is essential for staying healthy.

Exercise 6: Word Combinations

Choose the correct form of the verb - gerund or infinitive - to complete the sentence:

1. I can't stand to wait. Correct: I can't stand waiting.

2. He loves to help others. Correct: He loves helping others.

3. Swimming is a great exercise to improve your health. Correct: Swimming is a great exercise for improving your health.

Exercise 7: Sentence Rewrites

Rewrite the following sentences using the correct form of the verb - gerund or infinitive:

1. I like to go for a walk. Correct: I like going for a walk.

2. He wants to learn a new language. Correct: He wants to learn a new language.

3. Swimming is a great activity to stay fit. Correct: Swimming is a great activity for staying fit.

Exercise 8: Contextual Rewrite

Rewrite the following sentences using the correct form of the verb - gerund or infinitive - based on the context:

1. She wants to eat some pizza. Correct: She wants eating some pizza.

2. He loves to watch movies. Correct: He loves watching movies.

3. Working out is essential to staying healthy. Correct: Working out is essential for staying healthy.

Exercise 9: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences using the correct form of the verb - gerund or infinitive:

1. I love to listen to music.
2. She enjoys to read books.
3. Swimming is a great exercise to stay fit.
4. He wants to learn how to play the guitar.
5. Working out is essential for a healthy lifestyle.

Exercise 10: Final Check

Check your answers to the previous exercises to ensure you have used the correct form of the verb - gerund or infinitive - in each sentence.

By practicing these exercises, you will become more familiar with using gerunds and infinitives correctly, which will improve your English skills and overall understanding of the language.