Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Ministry of Higher Power for Education.
Polytechnic University Institute "Santiago Mariño".
Area: English II.
THE GERUND AND THE INFINITIVE
Teacher:
César Velásquez
By: Carlos Manuel Rojas Valerio.C.I: 31.571.881.
Career: System Engineer N°: 47#.
THE INFINITIVE
The infinitive is the basic form of a verb. It is the form of the verb that is found in dictionaries. In English, the infinitive of a verb is preceded by the word "to". For example, the infinitive of the verb "to walk" is "to walk".
Infinitives can be used in a variety of ways in English. They can be used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
Infinitives can also be used in some idiomatic phrases, such as "to be able to", "to have to", and "to want to".
I am able to walk to the store.
I have to walk to the store.
I want to walk to the store.
Examples:
• As a noun, an infinitive can be the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or the object of a preposition. For example:
To walk is good for your health.
I want to walk to the store. I saw her walking down the street.
• As an adjective, an infinitive can modify a noun. For example:
A walking stick is a helpful tool for people who have difficulty walking.
A talking bird is a popular pet.
• As an adverb, an infinitive can modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. For example:
I need to walk faster.
The talking bird is very clever.
I am happy to walk with you.
Use as noun (as subject and as CD)
Some examples of how to use the infinitive as a noun (both as a subject and as a complement of the verb):
• Subject
To swim is my favorite activity.
The only thing I want to do is sleep. Her dream is to become a doctor.
• Complement of the verb
I decided to go for a walk.
I asked her to help me with the dishes. They made us clean our rooms.
Use of the inifinitivo as a verbal complement in English.
An infinitive can be used as a verbal complement in English. A verbal complement is a verb that follows another verb and completes its meaning. In English, there are three types of verbal complements: infinitives, gerunds, and participles. An infinitive complement is a verb that follows another verb and is preceded by the word "to". For example:
• Infinitive complements can be used with a variety of verbs, including:
• Verbs of intention such as "decide", "intend", and "want".
• Verbs of ability such as "be able", "can", and "may".
• I decided to go for a walk.
• I asked her to help me with the dishes.
• They made us clean our rooms.
In these sentences, the infinitives "to go for a walk","to help me with the dishes", and "to clean our rooms" are verbal complements.
• Verbs of permission such as "allow", "permit", and "let".
• Verbs of request such as "ask", "beg", and "demand".
• Verbs of order such as "command", "direct", and "instruct".
They complete the meaning of the verbs "decided", "asked", and "made".
• I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Infinitive use as circumstantial
An infinitive can be used as a circumstantial in English. A circumstantial is a word or phrase that modifies a verb and tells us more about the time, place, manner, or purpose of the action. In English, there are three types of circumstantials: infinitives, gerunds, and participles.
Infinitive circumstantials can be used with a variety of verbs, including:
• Verbs of motion such as "go", "come", and "run".
• Verbs of purpose such as "plan", "intend", and "want".
An infinitive circumstantial is an infinitive that follows a verb and is used to modify the verb. For example: I went to the store to buy some milk. She came home to cook dinner. They went to the park to play. In these sentences, the infinitives "to buy some milk", "to cook dinner", and "to play" are infinitive circumstantials. They tell us more about the time, place, manner, or purpose of the actions of going, coming, and going.
• Verbs of ability such as "be able", "can", and "may".
• Verbs of permission such as "allow", "permit", and "let".
• Verbs of request such as "ask", "beg", and "demand".
THE GERUND
In English grammar, a gerund is a verb form that ends ining and is used as a noun. Gerunds can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence. For example, in the sentence "I enjoy swimming," the gerund "swimming" is the subject of the sentence. In the sentence "I am tired of running," the gerund "running" is the object of the preposition "of." And in the sentence "Swimming is a great way to stay in shape," the gerund "swimming" is the complement of the verb "is."
Gerunds are verb forms that end in -ing and can be used as nouns in a sentence. They can be used as the subject, object, or complement of a verb, or as the object of a preposition or gerund phrase. Gerunds can also be used in participial phrases, gerund phrases, and infinitive phrases. By understanding how gerunds work, you can improve your writing and make your sentences more interesting and engaging.
Here are some examples of how gerunds can be used in sentences:
Here are some more examples of gerunds:
• Subject: Playing video games is my favorite hobby.
• Object of a verb: I enjoy playing video games.
• Playing
• Dancing
• Singing
• Reading
• Writing
• Thinking
• Talking
• Walking
• Running
• Driving
• Eating
• Sleeping
• Object of a preposition: I am tired of playing video games.
• Complement of a verb: My favorite activity is playing video games.
• Object of a gerund phrase: I enjoy playing video games with my friends.
• Participle phrase: Walking down the street, I saw a dog.
• Gerund phrase: I like to play video games with my friends.
• Infinitive phrase: I want to go swimming.
Use as subject
A gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing and is used as a noun. When a gerund is used as the subject of a sentence, it takes a singular verb.
Here are some examples of gerunds used as subjects:
• Swimming is a great way to stay in shape.
• Playing video games is my favorite hobby.
• Writing is my passion.
• Cooking is a lot of fun.
• Reading is a great way to relax.
In each of these sentences, the gerund is the subject of the sentence. The verb agrees with the gerund in number, so the verbs are singular. Gerunds can also be used in other parts of speech, such as objects of verbs, objects of prepositions, and complements of verbs. However, when they are used as subjects, they always take a singular verb.
Use as an adjetive
Here are some examples of gerunds used as adjectives:
• An exciting game
• A boring movie
• A tiring hike
• A challenging task
• A fun experience
In each of these sentences, the gerund is used to modify the noun that comes after it. The gerund tells us something about the noun. For example, in the sentence "An exciting game," the gerund "exciting" tells us that the game is interesting and engaging.
Gerunds can be used to modify any noun, but they are most commonly used to modify nouns that refer to people, activities, or things. For example, we might say "an exciting game," "a boring movie," or "a tiring hike." We might also say "a challenging task," "a fun experience," or "a rewarding job."
Here are some examples of gerunds used as verbal complements:
Her favorite pastime is playing the piano.
The most important thing is finishing your homework. His dream is traveling the world.
My biggest fear is public speaking. Their goal is winning the championship.
In each of these sentences, the gerund follows a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence. For example, in the sentence "Her favorite pastime is playing the piano," the gerund "playing the piano" describes the subject "Her."
Gerunds can be a versatile part of speech that can be used to add detail and interest to your writing. By understanding how gerunds work, you can improve your writing skills and make your sentences more interesting and engaging.
Gerunds can be used as verbal complements after any linking verb, such as:
was
were
• Being
•
• seems
are
be
been
feels
tastes
• smells • sounds
•
•
•
•
•
Use as verbal complement •
• is • am •
looks
Use as circumstantial
A gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing and is used as a noun. When a gerund is used as a circumstantial, it modifies a verb and tells us how, when, where, or why the action is taking place.
Gerunds can be used as circumstantials after any verb that can be modified by a prepositional phrase. For example, we might say "I enjoy playing video games after school," "I am tired of walking to school in the rain," or "My favorite activity is reading in the park on a summer day."
Here are some examples of gerunds used as circumstantials:
**I enjoy playing video games after school.
I am tired of walking to school in the rain**.
**My favorite activity is reading in the park on a summer day.
**We are going to the beach for swimming and sunbathing.
I am afraid of flying. In each of these sentences, the gerund tells us how, when, where, or why the action is taking place. For example, in the sentence "I enjoy playing video games after school," the gerund "playing video games" tells us how I enjoy spending my time after school.
Gerunds can also be used as circumstantials after verbs that express mental states, such as "I am afraid of flying" or "I am excited about going to the beach."
Gerunds can be a versatile part of speech that can be used to add detail and interest to your writing. By understanding how gerunds work, you can improve your writing skills and make your sentences more interesting and engaging.
Use of gerund structures
Gerund structures are a type of verb phrase that uses a gerund, or a verb ending in -ing, as its main verb. Gerund structures can be used in a variety of ways, including:
As the main verb of a sentence: I enjoy playing video games.
As the object of a verb: I am used to getting up early.
As the object of a preposition: I am afraid of heights.
As a modifier of a noun:
My favorite pastime is playing video games.
Gerund structures can also be used in combination with other verb phrases, such as infinitive phrases and participial phrases. For example: I am used to playing video games. I am afraid of heights.
I enjoy playing video games with my friends. I am used to getting up early to go to work.
As a subject of a sentence: Playing video games is my favorite hobby.
Gerund structures can be a versatile part of speech that can be used to add detail and interest to your writing. By understanding how gerund structures work, you can improve your writing skills and make your sentences more
(be used to, get used to, etc.)
Use of gerund structures (be used to, get used to, etc.)
Here are some examples of gerund structures with the phrases "be used to" and "get used to":
Be used to:
I am used to getting up early.
We are used to working long hours.
They are used to eating spicy food.
Get used to:
I am getting used to my new job.
We are getting used to the new city. They are getting used to the new food.
Gerund structures with "be used to" and "get used to" can be used to describe a person's familiarity with something or their ability to cope with something. For example, the sentence "I am used to getting up early" means that I am familiar with getting up early and I am able to do it without difficulty. The sentence "I am getting used to my new job" means that I am becoming more familiar with my new job and I am starting to be able to do it well.
Gerund structures can be a versatile part of speech that can be used to add detail and interest to your writing. By understanding how gerund structures work, you can improve your writing skills and make your sentences more interesting and engaging.
Semantic differences in the use of gerunds and infinitives
Gerunds and infinitives are both verb forms that can be used in a variety of ways in English. However, there are some semantic differences between the two forms. Gerunds
Infinitives
• Infinitives are verb forms that do not end ining.
• Infinitives can be used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
• Gerunds are verb forms that end in -ing.
• Gerunds can be used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
• Gerunds can be used to express actions, experiences, or states of being.
• Gerunds can be used to modify nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
• Gerunds can be used to form gerund phrases.
• Infinitives can be used to express actions, events, or states of being.
• Infinitives can be used to modify nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
• Infinitives can be used to form infinitive phrases.
Semantic differences in the use of gerunds and infinitives
Semantic Differences
There are some semantic differences between gerunds and infinitives.
•Gerunds are typically used to express actions or experiences, while infinitives are typically used to express goals or purposes. For example, the gerund "playing" in the sentence "I enjoy playing video games" expresses the action of playing video games, while the infinitive "to play" in the sentence "I want to play video games" expresses the goal of playing video games.
•Gerunds are typically used to describe nouns, while infinitives are typically used to modify verbs. For example, the gerund "playing" in the sentence "The playing of video games is my favorite hobby" describes the noun "hobby," while the infinitive "to play" in the sentence "I like to play video games" modifies the verb "like.“
•Gerunds are typically used to express a state of being, while infinitives are typically used to express a possibility or potential. For example, the gerund "being" in the sentence "I enjoy being with my friends" expresses the state of being with friends, while the infinitive "to be" in the sentence "I want to be with my friends" expresses
the possibility of being with friends.
Semantic differences in the use of gerunds and infinitives
Examples
Here are some examples of how gerunds and infinitives can be used in sentences:
•Gerunds
• I enjoy playing video games.
• The playing of video games is my favorite hobby.
• I am tired of walking to school.
• My favorite activity is reading in the park.
•Infinitives
• I want to play video games.
• I need to walk to school.
• I love to read in the park.
• I am afraid of flying.
Conclusion
Gerunds and infinitives are both verb forms that can be used in a variety of ways in English. However, there are some semantic differences between the two forms. Gerunds are typically used to express actions or experiences, while infinitives are typically used to express goals or purposes. Gerunds are typically used to describe nouns, while infinitives are typically used to modify verbs. Gerunds are typically used to express a state of being, while infinitives are typically used to express a possibility or potential.
Semantic differences in the use of gerunds and infinitives
She stopped smoking years ago / She stopped to smoke to tell you
The semantic difference between the gerund and infinitive in the sentence "She stopped smoking years ago / She stopped to smoke to tell you" is that the gerund "smoking" is used to describe the action of stopping, while the infinitive "to smoke" is used to express the purpose of stopping.
In the first sentence, "She stopped smoking years ago," the gerund "smoking" is used to describe the action of stopping. This sentence means that she stopped smoking, and she has not smoked in years.
In the second sentence, "She stopped to smoke to tell you," the infinitive "to smoke" is used to express the purpose of stopping. This sentence means that she stopped in order to smoke, and she smoked in order to tell you something.
The difference between the two sentences is subtle, but it is important to understand the difference between gerunds and infinitives in order to use them correctly.
¡Thank you for your attention!
"Perfection is reached, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing more left to take away.“
Antoine de Saint-Exupery.
¡I hope my presentation has been to your liking!