How to use Verbals

Gerunds and Infinitives Lesson and Tests

Choosing whether to use a gerund or infinitive can be confusing This tutorial gives some advice. When you are finished learning, click here for two good tests.

What is a Verbal?
any word which is derived from a verb.

Examples
Verb

Loud people annoy me.

Verbal

Lenny is an annoying person. I am very annoyed

Types of Verbals
Infinitives
to use to motivate to annoy

Gerunds
using motivating annoying

Participles
used motivated annoyed

Verbal as adjective?
those which describe agent of action use gerund. those which describe recipient of action are infinitives.

Describing an agent:

My boss is frustrating The book is interesting

Describing a recipient

When I am at work, I am frustrated Are you interested in this book?

Verbal as Subject and Subject Complement

As subjects, they are usually Gerunds. As subject complements (after the beverb ) they are usually infinitives.

Subject of clause:

Taking a shower is a good way to relax. Becoming a good cook requires practice.
Subject complement of clause:

My wish is to take a shower. Her dream is to become a good cook.

Verbal as Adjective Complement

Verbals following adjectives are usual infinitives

after hesitant My daughter is hesitant to leave home after happy I am happy to assist you.

Verbal as Object of Preposition

Verbals following prepositions are usually gerunds

after from I must refrain from talking too loudly. after for I am responsible for managing the store.

Verbal as Noun Clause (appositive )

Use an infinitives when the clause is restrictive Use either when it is not restrictive (offset by commas)

Restrictive Appositive:

My desire to win the race is strong. His attempt to climb the mountain failed.
Often abstract/conceptual nouns take appositives

most common in spoken English

Non-restrictive clause:

My desire, winning the race, is strong. His goal, climbing the mountain, is ambitious

Verbal as direct object

Some verbs are often followed by other verbals

some followed by gerunds

some followed by infinitives

enjoy --I enjoy dancing quit -- Please quit crying consider --He considered leaving finish -- Have you finished working? imagine -- Just imagine winning!

want --I want to go home decide -- He decided to buy a car appear --They seem to be angry expect -- Do you expect me to lose? teach -- I taught him (how) to swim

Verbal as direct object

Here are some groups to remember which are often followed by gerunds:
enjoyment/tolerance potential occurrence completion/incompletion

enjoy/ dislike mind / dont mind be accustomed to

suggest recommend consider discuss imagine anticipate look forward to

complete avoid postpone delay finish give up quit get through

Verbal as direct object

Here are some verbs that can be followed by EITHER and still mean the same thing
enjoyment/intolerence choice initiation/incompletion

like love hate cant stand

prefer

start begin continue

I like hiking = I like to hike I prefer to live in the city = I prefer living in the city John started to do yoga = John started doing yoga.

Verbal as direct object

And here are some groups of verbs which are often followed by infinitives:
choice/intent/desire instruction agree expect want learn teach know how show how

care desire hope choose decide intend plan prepare need wish would like

request/promise
ask vow promise refuse threaten swear offer demand

exhibited behavior seem appear pretend tend

Verbal as direct object

Here are some groups of verbs which are often followed by pronoun and an infinitive.
persuasion advise convince remind persuade urge invite challenge permission permit allow direction order tell require cause hire force

I will urge him to come to my party. She allows me to park here for free.

Verbal as direct object

Some common verbs take an infinitive in some cases and a gerund in others:
remember/forget When talking about something potential, use the infinitive

I hope I remember to call Lisa tonight. You forgot to take your medicine!
When talking about an actual occurrence, use a gerund

Do you remember starting kindergarten? I will never forget kissing your lips.

Verbal as direct object

Some common verbs take an infinitive in some cases and a gerund in others:
try When talking about an attempt to succeed, use the infinitive

I tried to find pineapples, but there were none.. I will try to save $1000 by March.
When talking about a new experience or experiment, use the gerund

Have you ever tried driving a motorcycle? You should try taking an Aspirin.

Verbal as direct object

Some common verbs take an infinitive in some cases and gerund in others:
stop Use an infinitive when the focus of the sentence is the purpose of the interruption. The to means in order to

The taxi driver stopped to call his boss The singer must stop to take a breath.
Use a gerund when the focus of the sentence is on the interruption itself

I stopped smoking 3 months ago. I wish you would stop eating candy.

Thats all for now

You have finished this tutorial. You may, click here the tests. And email me at cometopass@gmail.com if you have any questions.