Lý thuyết và bài tập Tiếng Anh Lớp 12 - Ngữ pháp Gerund and Infinitive

Gerund or Infinitive One of the difficulties of the English language is that some verbs are followed by the gerund (ex : doing) and others are followed by the infinitive (ex : to do). Other verbs, however, can be followed by both. Generally speaking we can use the following rules:

Examples Rules Explanations Verb + gerund

1. I enjoy playing 2. I denied stealing

Often we use the gerund for an action that happens before or at the same time as the action of the main verb.

1. I enjoy myself at the time of playing. 2. I deny having stolen anything before.

Verb + infinitive

1. I decided to visit my uncle 2. I want to go out

Often we use the infinitive for actions that follow the action of the main verb.

1. Visiting my uncle was an action of my decision. It comes after. 2. What I want (now) is to go out (after/later) These rules are helpful but DO NOT always explain all uses of gerunds and infinitives.

A. Verbs that can be followed by a gerund (ex: doing)

1- After verbs that express likes/dislikes : like love enjoy dislike hate don't mind can't stand can't bear Example: " I like playing soccer but I hate boxing."

2- After certain other verbs, such as : admit appreciate allow avoid

advise consider deny delay

understand finish fancy

go (in go swimming) involve keep

mention mind stop

waste time/money imagine involve

keep (on) mention miss postpone

permit practice suggest resist

reject risk can't help can't stand Example: " I suggest going to the theater."

3- After prepositions : interested in ... instead of ... good at ... before ... after ... Example: "I am interested in collecting stamps." "After playing football I drank an orange juice".

4- After certain expressions : it's no use ... it's no good ... there's no point in ... I can't help... I don't mind... I can't stand/bear... Example: " It's no use convincing him to revise his lessons. He's so stubborn."

B. Verbs that can be followed by an infinitive ( ex : to do)

1- After verbs that refer to a future event: want hope aim intend

arrange attempt promise be determined

plan consent decide demand

deserve determine endeavor expect

offer proceed promise threaten

swear volunteer want would like

would hate would love

Example: " I want to finish my work early.

2- After certain other verbs, such as: afford agree help choose fail happen refuse manage need seem learn choose pretend Example: "She refused to forgive him."

3- After adjectives : glad pleased disappointed Example: "I'm glad to know that you passed the exam." "I'm pleased to meet you." "I'm disappointed to hear that you flunked maths."

4- After "too" & "enough": too difficult easy enough Example: "It's too difficult to convince him to be helpful." " But it's easy enough to fool him to get what you want."

C. Verbs that can be followed by both an infinitive and a gerund: Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive. Here are some examples: start begin stop remember... Example: "I started smoking when I was young." "I started to smoke when I left the office."

Part 1 1. Dan enjoys ...................... (read) science fiction. 2. Cheryl suggested ...................... (see) a movie after work. 3. I miss ................. (work) in the travel industry. Maybe I can get my old job back. 4. Where did you learn ...................... (speak) Spanish? Was it in Spain or in Latin America? 5. Do you mind ...................... (help) me translate this letter? 6. He asked ...................... (talk) to the store manager. 7. You've never mentioned ...................... (live) in Japan before. How long did you live there? 8. If he keeps .................. (come) to work late, he's going to get fired! 9. Debbie plans ...................... (study) abroad next year. 10. I agreed ...................... (help) Jack wash his car. 11. I hope ...................... (graduate) from college next June. 12. The models practiced .................... (walk) with a book balanced on

their heads. 13. Mandy …