Gerunds and Infinitives Quiz

Gerunds

• A gerund is a verb that functions as a noun. It is formed by adding "-ing" to the base form of a verb.
• Examples: swimming, eating, walking
• Gerunds can act as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence.
  • Swimming is my favorite activity. (Subject)
  • I enjoy eating sushi. (Object)
  • My goal is learning a new language. (Complement).

Infinitives

• An infinitive is a verb form preceded by "to" and functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
• Examples: to swim, to eat, to walk
• Infinitives can also take various grammatical roles.
  • To swim is fun. (Subject)
  • I want to eat pizza. (Object)
  • I am happy to see you. (Complement)

Key Differences between Gerunds and Infinitives

• Form: Gerunds end in "-ing," while infinitives are preceded by "to."
• Function: Gerunds act as nouns, and infinitives can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
• Complements: Gerunds can appear in a sentence as a direct object or subject complement while infinitives usually function as noun complements, adverb complements, or adjective complements.
• Verb Comparisons:
  • Swimming is my favorite sport (Gerund as subject)
  • To swim early in the morning is a good idea (Infinitive as subject - less common but possible)

Gerunds vs. Infinitives in Specific Contexts

• Prepositions: Gerunds often follow prepositions:
  • I am looking forward to swimming. (Gerund as prepositional object)
  • I enjoy spending time to study is incorrect. (Infinitive is incorrect following preposition - use gerund)
• After certain verbs:
  • Some verbs are followed by gerunds only. Examples include: admit, deny, finish, suggest, avoid, mention, consider, escape, risk, resist, postpone, keep, imagine.
  • Some verbs are often followed by infinitives. Examples include: hope, want, intend, decide, need, plan, agree, refuse, promise, begin, decide, start, continue.
  • Some verbs can take either a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning changes slightly. Example:
    • remember/forget: "I remember seeing the movie" (Gerund - a past action) "I remember to see the movie" (Infinitive - a future action)
    • stop: "Stop talking." (Gerund - cease activity) "Stop to talk" (Infinitive - pause to do something else)
• Particular Idioms/Phrases: Certain common phrases require specific forms.

Exercises

• Identify whether the italicized verb is a gerund or an infinitive:
  • I dislike eating fast food. (Gerund)
  • I want to read books. (Infinitive)

Additional Examples to illustrate the Usage

• Gerund vs. Infinitive with differing meanings:

  • I remember helping you. (Gerund - remembering a past action)
  • I remember to help you. (Infinitive - remembering a future obligation)

• Preposition usage:

  • He was excited about having a party. (Gerund following a preposition)
  • I promised to study more. (Infinitive following a preposition)

• Some common verbs followed by gerunds:

  • He enjoys cooking.

• Some common verbs followed by infinitives:

  • He wants to cook a great meal.

• Emphasis on the differences and the importance of correct use.

  • Errors in gerund-infinitive use can significantly alter sentence meaning. Proper usage is essential for clear communication.

Summary

• Gerunds and infinitives are verb forms that function distinctly in sentences.
• Understanding their forms and uses is critical for accurate written and spoken English.

Test your understanding of gerunds and infinitives with this quiz. Learn about their forms, functions, and key differences through various examples and questions. Perfect for students looking to strengthen their grasp of these essential verb forms.