VERBS FOLLOWED BY

GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

ANDRES CHAMBA
The Gerund and Infinitive

The gerund and the infinitive are the forms of the verbs that act as names. The
gerund is formed with "-ing" (walking, eating, etc.). the infinitive is formed with
the preposition "to" (to walk, to eat, etc.).
(gerund – verb + ing)
(infinitive – to + base verb)
We resumed talking.
I want to see a movie.
 Grammatical Rules

 1. When a verb follows another verb, we always need to use the infinitive or
the gerund. Normally we use the infinitive after some verbs and the gerund
after others. There are also verbs with which we can use the gerund or the
infinitive.

I can’t afford to buy a new car.(No puedo permitirme comprar un coche

nuevo.)

He began to doubt himself. / He began doubting himself.(Comenzó a dudar

de sí mismo.)

They decided to move to Australia in May.(Decidieron mudarse a Australia

en Mayo.)

I enjoy listening to music.(Disfruto escuchando música.)

Example
Grammatical Rules
 We can use the gerund or the infinitive as an object, subject or
complement of a phrase, but in general, it is much more common to use
the gerund as a subject.
object :
I like cooking. / I like to cook.(Me gusta cocinar)

She continued working. / She continued to work.(Continuó trabajando.)

subject :
Swimming is good exercise.(Nadar es un buen ejercicio)
Drinking and driving is dangerous.(Beber y conducir es peligroso.)

complement :

The best thing to do when you are sick is to drink a lot of water.(Lo mejor que
puedes hacer cuando estás enfermo es beber mucha agua.)
My favorite exercise is swimming.(Mi ejercicio favorito es la natación.)
Grammatical Rules
 With some verbs, when we use the gerund and the infinitive, the meaning
changes.

gerund
I forgot writing that email.(Me olvidé que escribí ese correo electrónico.)

infinitive
I forgot to write that email.(Me olvidé de escribir el correo electrónico.)

gerund
Stop watching the news.(Deja de ver las noticias)

infinitive
Stop to watch the news.(Para, para ver las noticias.)
Grammatical Rules
 The infinitive is used after adjectives.

Example:

I’m glad to see you.(Me alegro de verte.)

She was surprised to find the door unlocked.(Se sorprendió al encontrar la

puerta abierta.)
Grammatical Rules
 After prepositions we can only use the gerund.

Example:

I always read before going to bed.(Siempre leo antes de acostarme.)

He’s good at listening.(Escucha bien.)
You can’t leave without saying goodbye.(No puedes salir sin despedirte.)
Grammatical Rules
 The gerund is used after some names.

Example:
What is the advantage of waiting?(¿Cuál es la ventaja de esperar?)
I am interested in taking English classes.(Estoy interesado en tomar clases de
inglés.)
His problem finding a new job was his lack of experience.(Su problema para
encontrar un nuevo empleo era su falta de experiencia.)
Grammatical Rules
 The gerund is used after expressions or phrasal verbs.

Example:

We’re really looking forward to seeing you.(Tenemos muchas ganas de

verte.)
That movie is not worth seeing.(No vale la pena ver esa película.)
I can’t help falling in love.(No puedo evitar enamorarme.)
Grammatical Rules

 Bare Infinitive
I know use bare infinitive with the modal verbs.
Can
Would
Should
Shall
Must

I can play football (puedo jugar al fútbol). I can to play football X

He might be home (puede que esté en casa). He might to be home X
THANK YOU