The Position of Gerunds and Infinitives in a Sentence
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A gerund and an infinitive phrase can exist
in several positions in a sentence:
-
as the subject of a sentence or
-
as the object of a verb.
In this unit, we will discuss gerunds
and infinitive phrases as the
the object of the verb.
Before you begin the activities, we suggest that you read, listen to, and study the two podcast and grammar lessons, "He's Always Talking about Grammar" and What Is a Gerund? What Is an Infinitive Phrase? which are also in our Library.
Pattern 1 (Part 1): Verb + Infinitive Phrase
I
chose
to do
it my way.
verb + infinitive phrase
(to) choose +
to do
Notice that in the above sentence, "to do" is the object of the verb (the main verb "chose"). It answers the question chose what?" Can you see that the infinitive phrase "to do" functions as a noun?
(to) (be) able/unable to do it | agree to do it | choose to do it | decide to do it |
forget to do it | have to do it | learn to do it | need to do it |
offer to do it | plan to do it | promise to do it | refuse to do it |
remember** to do it | seem to do it | stop* to do it | (be) supposed to do it |
try to do it | volunteer to do it | want to do it | wish to do it |
* = to stop one thing in order to begin something
else ** = to have in mind in the present to do something in the future |
Look at the first example in this
lesson,
I
chose to do it my way.
Notice that the verb
(to) choose is in the list above. Thus,
the object of the verb chose must be in an
infinitive phrase form. Thus,
we end up with chose to do
(it).
Listen to these examples (from our podcast):
*
*
*
Try It Yourself!
Try these below. These sentences were taken from the essays of other learners of English such as yourself. You'll find the answers in the Answer Key.
WHERE'S
THE ERROR?
Problem:
Many children, on the other hand, only want enjoy life.
Solution:
Many children, on the other hand, only ___________
life.
Problem:
You have forget him.
Solution: You
_____________ him.
You will find the answers in our "Answer Key".
Next...
Join us in our next lesson in our "Gerunds and Infinitive Phrases" unit.
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