English as a Second Language         Writing       Grammar    Audio Stories  Communication         Podcasts      Academic Writing       and More!

ESL Podcasts

Welcome to theB"H"
ESL Help Desk
We're Interactive!

Your Comments, Please!

***If you would like us to respond directly to you, please include your email address in your message.***

Your Feedback Is Our Feed!

Are You Looking for
User-friendly
Grammar and Writing Software?
 www.softwareforstudents.com

What Is a Gerund?  What Is an Infinitive Phrase?

Hello, and welcome to today's episode of the ESL Help! Desk.  

We try to vary the activities we present you with, and today, because we've had a recent request to discuss grammar, we're going to talk about gerunds and infinitive phrases.   Oops....Have we just lost you?  For all you grammar lovers, this podcast is for you. And for the rest of you, for those of you who would rather listen to a nice dialogue or story, we'll try to make this tolerable.

So back to today's lesson.

Part 1

First question:  What looks like a verb, but is a noun? Or, in a linguist's language, what has the structure of a verb, but the grammatical function of a noun?

The answer is - a gerund.

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

I like fishing, too.

An infinitive phrase is also a noun, and it has the "to + base form of the verb" structure.

Then I get ready to eat breakfast.
 

Part 2

Gerunds and infinitive phrases can exist in several positions in a sentence. They can exist as the subject of the sentence.
 

Skiing is the best way for me to relax.

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

They can also exist as the object of the verb.
 

When they went fishing that afternoon, he had to slow down and (to) have patience.

We go dancing, or go someplace special to eat.
 

Part 3

Gerunds and infinitive phrases can be so confusing.  Somebody learning English can easily wonder whether in a particular sentence he should use a gerund or an infinitive phrase.

For the sentence below, should we write worrying (a gerund) or the  to worry (an infinitive phrase) in the blank?

He was so worried, and he couldn’t stop ________________ about what to do.

Write your response in the box below.

If you answered worrying, you are correct!

There are many patterns which will help you to know when to use the gerund form, and when to use the infinitive form.

Unfortunately, there is no automatic way to know which to use.

Worrying about it won't help. Reading a good grammar book and reviewing the many patterns of use will help.  Complaining about how difficult it isn't going to help. Paying careful attention to what native speakers say is going to help.  Stopping by the ESL HELP! Desk for more lessons in gerunds and infinitive, of course, is also going to help.  And as we say every week, we are looking forward to your visiting us next week.

Music Copyright, permission of Luca De Bernardi,  www.saguarovideo.it/blog
Photo of Headphones Copyright Karl-Erik Bennion
 

Please donate to help keep more great ESL grammar and communication lessons. coming your way.

We appreciate every donation.

Subscribe to Our Feed

Today's Date

Are You Looking for
Our Grammar Book?
The Grammar HELP! Student Handbook

 

copyright 2006-2008 Software for Students