The infinitive and gerund constractions
The objective of this lesson is to clarify the use of the infinitive, the bare infinitive and the gerund constructions. A number of examples will be given to the students to help them grasp their form and use. What do the infinitive, the bare infinitive and the gerund mean? In very simple words,
The infinitive is the verb with to. (to work) The bare infinitive is the verb without to. (work) The Gerund is the verb + ing. (working)
a) The infinitive 1) Verbs followed directly by the infinitive: infinitive : agree arrange prepare forget Hope plan refuse attempt determine guarantee Learn arrange appear try fail hesitate Prefer promise Aim swear choose ask Want like Seem pretend volunteer beg remember expect Examples : The students
failed to solve the formula. She agreed to help her friend carry the bow They are preparing to play the match. The two participants refuse to leave. She volunteered to act the role of that actor.
He
learnt to make tea by himself. He forgot to leave the car keys on the table. They decided to divide the profit equally. I arrange to meet him. I remember to get a ticket. I want to ride. I want you to ride too. I expect him to arrive tomorrow.
2) The infinitive after the modal verb “ought” Example : You
ought to wipe your feet before you go into your room.
3) The infinitive after Verb + what/ when/ where/ which/ How/why Examples: He
discovered how how to to open the safe. where to to switch the machine off. I didn’t know where I showed him which button to press. think what what to say. She couldn’t think
4) The infinitive after the phrasal modals:
“ be going to” “ be able to” “have to” “ be allowed to” “ be supposed to”
Examples : I’m
going to fed my dog sorry, I’m not able to help him. I’m sorry,
5) The infinitive after “ Whether”: Examples: I
wonder whether to play football or to go to swim. He couldn’t remember whether to turn left or right. You have not decided yet whether to study arts or science next year.
6) The infinitive after certain nouns: A number of nouns can be followed directly by the infinitive. Some of those nouns are the followings: ability ambition desire wish decision
attempt plan determination promise eagerness Willingness effort Refusal failure Determination
Examples : I
have the ability to climb this mountain. Ali has made an attempt/effort to break the box. may result in disqualification. disqualification. Failure to obey the regulation may municipality’s plan/promise to rebuild the town was not The municipality taken seriously.
B) The bare infinitive 1) The bare infinitive can be used after some verbs. (Help/recommend/make…) Examples : I
recommend you see a doctor. He tried to make me believe that he was my old friend.
Come
and help me lift this heavy box.
2) The bare infinitive can be used u sed after the modal auxiliaries: (Can/could-may/might-must-shall /should-will/would) Examples : They
could do it today. He will probably turn down the job. Ali may forget to tell her the trith Shall I go with you, mom? You should wash your hands before you eat.
3) The bare infinitive after « let » and « let’s » Examples : They
let him see the document. Live and let live. Let’s go by the train .
4) The bare infinitive better/rather than”.
after
“ would
rather/had
Examples:
I’d rather wait till tomorrow. Rather than risk a bad crossing, he postponed his journey. I think I'd like to stay at home this evening rather than go out. You had better see a doctor.
5) « but » : But‟ But‟ takes the bare infinitive when it follows (do + anything/ nothing/ everything): Examples :
He doesn’t nothing but complain. There is nothing to do but wait. My dog does everything but speak.
C) The Gerund construction: A) Few spelling rules about forming the gerund:
There are a few spelling rules that you need to know in order to form gerunds correctly.
If the simple form of the verb ends in a single “e,” a gerund is formed by dropping the “e” and adding „ing‟. Examples: exercise exercise = exercising , drive drive = driving .
If the simple form of the verb ends in “ie,” a gerund is formed by changing the “ie” to “y” and adding „ing „ ing‟‟. Examples: tie ie = = tying, vie vie = = vying.
If the simple form of a one-syllable verb ends with a single vowel + consonant, a gerund is formed by doubling the final consonant and adding „ing ing‟‟. Examples: shop shop = = shopping, swim swim = = swimming.
If the simple form of a verb with two or more syllables ends in a single vowel + consonant, a gerund is formed by doubling the final consonant only if the stress is on the final syllable. Examples: commit = committing (stress is on second syllable), combat = combating (stress is on first syllable) Note: The final “l” is doubled in British English (travel = travelling), but not in American American English (travel (travel – – traveling). traveling).
If the simple form of the verb ends in “x,” “w,” or “z,” the final consonant is not doubled when adding „ing‟. „ing‟. Examples: box = boxing, tow = towing, fly = flying B) The uses of gerund:
1) The gerund must be used after certain prepositions: Examples: What
can you do besides typing? Touch your toes without bending your knees. He is good at diving. climbing. She is fond of climbing. I’m not keen on gambling. I’m too afraid of losing. I’m against saying anything. I’m for saying nothing. This is a tool for opening tins. After swimming I felt cold. I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. We had difficulty in finding a parking place. Aren’t you interested in making money?
2) The gerund after some expressions:
be for/against. look forward to. be sorry of
I can’t stand. I can’t resist. resist. I can’t bear.
Examples: I’m
looking forward to meeting her. I’m against using violence against women. He is used to working at night. against saying anything. I’m against I’m for saying nothing. I’m sorry for disturbing you. You should be ashamed of lying to him.
be afraid of. feel like. be ashamed of.
He
didn’t want to tell him because he was afraid of upsetting upsetting him. I feel like having a drink.
3) The gerund after some phrasal modals:
Example :
be used to be accustomed to. Be familiar with
I’m used to standing in queues . Mary is accustomed to sleeping late The children are used to eating late in the evening.
4) The gerund after some phrasal verbs : (Care for, give up, keep on, put off, leave off, go on) Examples: I
don’t care for standing in queues. barking. Eventually the dog left off barking. making a decision till he had more information.. He put off making He goes on talking about his accident.
4) The gerund after some verbs: admit detest finish postpone appreciate avoid dislike imagine practise mind delay love keep prevent suggest deny enjoy miss propose help Examples: He
admitted talking the money. Avoid smoking in public places. He detests writing letters to girls. He enjoys learning English? Putting in a window will involve cutting away a part of the roof. He kept complaining.
I
couldn’t help laughing. I finish correcting student’s copybooks. My friend suggests travelling to Ifran next holiday. Hamid practises playing the violin. I appreciate your giving me so much of your time. You can’t prevent his spending his own money. He denied having been there. Would you mind waiting a moment?
5) Some verbs which may take either infinitive or gerund: Begin continue Forget appreciate Dislike
hate like love deny enjoy
prefer start remember avoid finish
stop propose allow keep imagine
Examples:
Begin:
Continue: -He continued living/ -He continued to live.
Propose:
-I propose to start tomorrow/ -I propose waiting till the police p olice get here…
Like:
-I like listening to music/ - I like to listen to music.
-I began working/ -I began to work.
Practice
ward to (see) you. 1. I’m looking for ward 2. He dreads (have) to retire. 3. I arrange (meet) him there. 4. I wish (see) the manager. 5. Don’t forget (lock) the door before (go) to bed. 6. I can’t understand her (behave) like that. 7. He tried (explain) but she refused (listen). 8. You are expected (know) the safety regulations of the college. 9. Would you mind (show) me how (work) the lift. 10.After (walk) for three hours we stopped to let the others (catch up) with us. 11.He was fined for (exceed) the speed limit. 12.The boys like (play) games but hate (do) lessons. 13.He surprised us all by (go) away without (say) “Good“Good - bye”. bye”.
don’t allow allow my family (smoke) at all. 14.I don’t 15.Please go on (write); I don’t mind (wait). 16.He wore dark glasses (avoid) (be) recognized. 17.Before (give) evidences you must swear (speak) the truth. 18.I can’t help (sneeze); I caught a cold yesterday from (sit) in a draught. 19.Do not stop (talk); I’m trying (finish) a letter. 20.His doctor advised him (give up) (smoke). 21.A-My watch keeps (stop).
B-That’s because you keep (forget) (wind) it. 22.B-That’s 23.Without (realize) it, he hindered us instead of (help) us.
