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What Are Gerunds & Infinitives?

Gerunds and infinitives are verb forms that function as nouns in sentences. They allow us to use verbs as subjects, objects, or complements. Understanding when to use each form is essential for natural English.

Gerunds (-ing form)
Form: verb + -ing
Examples: swimming, reading, eating
Used as: nouns in sentences

Swimming is fun.
I enjoy reading.
Infinitives (to + verb)
Form: to + base verb
Examples: to swim, to read, to eat
Used as: nouns in sentences

To swim is fun.
I want to read.
The Basic Difference
Both gerunds and infinitives can act as nouns, but they're used in different contexts:

Gerund: "Smoking is dangerous."
Infinitive: "It's dangerous to smoke."

The choice often depends on the verb, preposition, or structure that comes before them.

Quick Overview

Gerunds Often Follow:

• Prepositions (after, before, without)

• Certain verbs (enjoy, finish, avoid)

• Subject position

Infinitives Often Follow:

• Adjectives (easy, hard, difficult)

• Certain verbs (want, need, decide)

• To express purpose

Gerunds

The -ing form: swimming, reading, working

Understanding Gerunds Beginner

A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun. It can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence. Despite looking like a verb, it behaves like a noun.

Forming Gerunds
Base verb + -ing

swim → swimming
read → reading
work → working
run → running (double the consonant)
die → dying (change ie to y)

Functions of Gerunds

1. As Subject

Swimming is healthy.

Reading improves your mind.

Smoking is prohibited.

2. As Object

I enjoy cooking.

She loves dancing.

They finished working.

3. After Prepositions

Thanks for coming.

Before leaving, call me.

I'm good at singing.

Verbs Followed by Gerunds

Common Verbs + Gerund Pattern
These verbs are ALWAYS followed by gerunds, never infinitives:
Activity & Enjoyment:
enjoy, finish, practice, keep, quit, mind, suggest, recommend, avoid, delay, postpone, consider
Phrases with Gerunds:
can't help, can't stand, feel like, give up, go on, put off, end up
Example Sentences

I enjoy reading books.

She finished writing her essay.

They avoid eating fast food.

He suggested going to the beach.

I can't stand waiting in line.

She gave up smoking last year.

Gerunds After Prepositions

Always Use Gerunds After Prepositions
When a verb follows a preposition, it must be in the gerund form (-ing):

preposition + gerund (NOT infinitive)
Common Preposition + Gerund Patterns

Thanks for helping me.

I'm tired of working late.

She's interested in learning Spanish.

He's afraid of flying.

After eating, we went home.

Adjective + Preposition + Gerund

good at cooking

bad at remembering

excited about traveling

worried about failing

fond of reading

💡 Memory Tip
If you see a preposition (in, on, at, for, of, about, without, etc.) before a verb, that verb MUST be a gerund.

✓ I'm thinking of buying a car.
✗ I'm thinking of to buy a car.

Infinitives

The to + verb form: to swim, to read, to work

Understanding Infinitives Beginner

An infinitive is the base form of a verb with "to" in front of it (to + verb). Like gerunds, infinitives can function as nouns,