Grammar: gerunds and infinitives

Vocabulary in this set

Practise ten common grammar patterns for clear everyday communication.

1. gerund as subject

   Phrase

   use an activity as the subject of a sentence

   Gerund as subject: Learning regularly builds confidence.

   Begin the sentence with a verb ending in -ing.

2. gerund after a preposition

   Expression

   use an activity after words such as in, at, or before

   Gerund after a preposition: She is interested in studying abroad.

   After a preposition, use a verb ending in -ing.

3. infinitive after an adjective

   Expression

   connect an adjective to an action

   Infinitive after an adjective: It is important to be honest.

   Pattern: adjective + to + base verb

4. infinitive of purpose

   Phrase

   explain why someone performs an action

   Infinitive of purpose: I called to confirm the appointment.

   Use to and the base verb to express purpose.

5. noun + infinitive

   Phrase

   describe the purpose or use of a person, place, or thing

   Noun + infinitive: We need a place to store these boxes.

   Pattern: noun + to + base verb

6. too + adjective + infinitive

   Expression

   say that a quality prevents an action

   Too + adjective + infinitive: The box is too heavy to carry alone.

   Pattern: too + adjective + to + base verb

7. adjective + enough + infinitive

   Expression

   say that a quality makes an action possible

   Adjective + enough + infinitive: The room is quiet enough to work in.

   Pattern: adjective + enough + to + base verb

8. stop doing / stop to do

   Expression

   contrast ending an activity with pausing another action for a purpose

   Stop doing / stop to do: I stopped checking my phone to answer the door.

   stop doing = end an activity; stop to do = pause one activity to begin another

9. remember doing / remember to do

   Expression

   contrast recalling a past event with not forgetting a duty

   Remember doing / remember to do: I remember meeting her, and I remembered to call her.

   remember doing = recall a past event; remember to do = not forget a duty

10. try doing / try to do

    Expression

    contrast testing a method with making an effort

    Try doing / try to do: Try restarting the app while I try to find the cause.

    try doing = test a method; try to do = make an effort