Gerunds and Infinitive Phrases

The Grammar HELP!  Student Handbook - Online!

In today's Grammar HELP! Student Handbook - Online! lesson we begin our unit on Gerunds and Infinitive Phrases. 

Please keep in mind that all the examples you see below were contributed by ESL students in their writing and reading classes. We bring you only authentic writing.

Sneak Preview

The following is a correctly edited excerpt from a student's essay. The gerunds and infinitive phrases are in bold:

When I have a conflict, I don't like to fight or go through governmental offices; I like to do everything quietly and without hurting anybody.  When I lived in an apartment in a private house, I had very noisy neighbors and every evening when I was trying to fall asleep they would turn up their radio and play their music very loudly.  I tried speaking with them about this but they wouldn't listen to me and continued listening to the radio turned way up.

What Is a Gerund? What Is an Infinitive Phrase?

A gerund is a noun that takes the ~ing form.

  • I love going skiing.

An infinitive phrase is a noun that has the to + base form of the verb structure.

  • I love to go there.

A noun phrase that begins with a gerund is called a gerund phrase.

Position of the Gerund or Infinitive Phrase

Gerunds and infinitive phrases can exist in several positions within a sentence.

Like any noun, they can exist as the subject of the sentence:

  • Getting married is a wonderful experience.

  • To finally have my dream come true was a wonderful experience.

Like any noun, they can exist as the object of the verb:

  • I love being with you.

  • I love to be with you.

Warm up!

Warm-up 1 Determine whether the sentence contains a gerund or an infinitive phrase and write "gerund' or "infinitive" accordingly.  HINT: Below, there are four gerunds and two infinitive phrases.

    Gerund or Infinitive? Subject or Object?
eg. She was trying to keep it a secret. to keep inf. phrase object
1.  He's interested in studying abroad.
2. She was sad to see me leave.      
3. Bowling is our favorite Saturday night activity.      
4. I wonder how to do it.      
5. We are going shopping tonight.
6. We are devoted to helping our country.      

  

Check your answers for the grammar identification warmup activity above.

Next...

Please continue with our next lesson, "Gerunds and Infinitive Phrases: Introduction, Part 2".

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