I. Gerund
Gerund is a verb that is used as a noun. It is formed by adding -ing to the root of the verb.
- Examples: read - reading; play - playing; dance - dancing.
Gerunds are used:
as the subject of a sentence
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Learning foreign languages is not easy.
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as the object after certain verbs1
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I really enjoy reading comics.
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after certain verbs + prepositions2
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I plan on going to college.
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after certain adjectives + prepositions3
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Bob is not very good at managing children.
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after prepositions
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We'll have no difficulty in selling this product.
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after verbs of perception (action is going on)4
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I saw him staggering down the road towards the pub.
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1 - See the list of verbs that are followed by gerunds. You can also download this list: Verbs Used with Gerunds
2 - See the list of verbs + prepositions that are followed by gerunds. You can also download this list: Verbs with prepositions followed by gerunds
3 - See the list of adjectives + prepositions that are followed by gerunds. You can also download this list: Adjectives with prepositions followed by gerunds.
4 - Learn the rules of the use of gerunds and infinitives after verbs of perception.
II. Full Infinitive
Full infinitive consists of two words: particle to and the base form of the verb.
- Examples: to read, to play, to dance, to talk, to do, to be.
Infinitives with to are used after:
certain verbs5
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I want to dance with you.
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adjectives in construction "It is (not)+ Adj"
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It’s not always easy to read in English.
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after other adjectives
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I am proud to be a teacher.
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question words
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Can you tell me where to put the chairs?
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the first/last/only
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Henry Ford was the first to use flow production in a car factory.
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adjective + for + (pro)noun
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Until then cars had been too expensive for many people to buy.
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5 - See the list of verbs that are followed by an infinitive. You can also download this list: Verbs Used with Infinitives
III. Bare Infinitive
Infinitives without to (called bare infinitives) are used after:
modal verbs
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Tom can’t speak Spanish at all.
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verbs make and let
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My teacher wouldn’t let me leave the classroom. She made me finish my classwork.
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verbs of perception (completed action)6
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I saw her open the fridge and help herself to the cake.
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6 - Learn the rules of the use of gerunds and infinitives after verbs of perception here.