What are Gerunds and Infinitives in English?
Gerunds and infinitives are verb forms that have been transformed to take the place of a noun in a sentence. They can act as subjects, objects, or complements, completely changing how you build sentences.
- Gerund: This is the base verb with an "-ing" ending. It acts exactly like a noun.
> * Swimming is my favorite hobby. (Here, "swimming" acts as the Subject). - Infinitive: This is "to" + the base form of a verb. It can also act as a noun.
> * My goal is to swim every day. (Here, "to swim" acts as the Object/Complement).
The ultimate grammatical challenge is memorizing and knowing which specific form to use after another primary verb.
Gerunds and Infinitives Structure and Formula
Because they structurally act as nouns, you construct sentences with them just as you would with standard subjects and objects.
Gerund/Infinitive (as Subject) + V + O
S + V + Gerund/Infinitive (as Object)
When to Use a Gerund (-ing)
1. As the Subject of a Sentence
- Reading vividly helps you learn new things.
- Driving at night can be incredibly tiring.
2. After a Preposition
Golden Rule: If any verb immediately follows a preposition (like in, on, at, for, after, by, about), it must absolutely be a gerund.
- I am highly interested in learning Spanish.
- Thank you for helping me yesterday.
3. After Specific Action Verbs
Certain verbs legally demand that the next verb be a gerund.
Common Triggers: enjoy, avoid, finish, suggest, recommend, quit, mind, keep, deny
- I genuinely enjoy walking in the rain.
- Would you mind opening the window?
When to Use an Infinitive (to + verb)
1. To Express Purpose or Intent
The infinitive is the standard way to concisely explain why an action is done.
- I traveled to this country to learn English. (Why did you travel? To learn).
2. After Many Adjectives
- It is important to be on time.
- I am happy to help you today.
3. After Specific Action Verbs
Some verbs strictly refuse gerunds and must be followed by an infinitive.
Common Triggers: want, hope, decide, plan, agree, need, promise, seem, learn
- She secretly plans to move to a new city.
- I finally decided to sell my old car.
Verbs That Change Meaning With Gerunds and Infinitives
This is the most complex trap for learners. For a few specific verbs, your choice between a gerund and an infinitive will completely change the literal meaning of the sentence.
| Verb | Meaning With Gerund (-ing) | Meaning With Infinitive (to + V) |
|---|---|---|
| remember | Having a memory of a past, finished action. (I remember locking the door). | Thinking of something you still need to do. (Please remember to lock the door). |
| forget | Losing the memory of a past action. (I'll never forget seeing Paris). | Failing to do a required task. (Don't forget to call your mother). |
| stop | Quitting a habit or action completely. (He stopped smoking last year). | Pausing one action in order to do another. (He stopped to smoke a cigarette). |
| try | Doing an experiment to test an outcome. (Try turning it off and on). | Making a massive physical or mental effort. (I tried to lift the heavy box). |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use gerunds and infinitives together in the same sentence?
Yes! Many complex sentences feature both. Example: "I want to stop eating junk food." ("Want" requires the infinitive "to stop", and "stop" requires the gerund "eating").
Are there verbs that take both with no change in meaning?
Yes. Verbs dealing with starting, continuing, or broad preferences operate freely with both. (Start, begin, continue, like, love, hate). "It started to rain" and "It started raining" mean the exact same thing.
Why do we say "look forward to doing" instead of "to do"?
This is an incredibly common mistake! In the phrase "look forward to", the word "to" is actually a preposition, not part of an infinitive. And according to the golden rule, prepositions must be followed by gerunds (e.g., "I look forward to meeting you").
Summary & Cheatsheet for Gerunds and Infinitives
| Use a Gerund (-ing) when... | Use an Infinitive (to + verb) when... |
|---|---|
| It is the core subject of the sentence. | It explicitly shows the purpose or reason for an action. |
| It immediately follows a preposition (in, for, at). | It immediately follows a descriptive adjective. |
It follows verbs like enjoy, finish, avoid. |
It follows verbs like want, decide, hope. |
💡 The key takeaway: The verb immediately preceding the action dictates whether you use a gerund or an infinitive. Memorize the major verb lists (like "enjoy" vs. "want"), and strictly follow the preposition rule!